All went well earlier today at the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) Swimming Championships held at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre in Glenrothes. The Championships are supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and the Association of Fife Rotary Clubs. In attendance throughout the day to present medals were Alan Farquarson (chairman), Derek Thomson and Anne Tait of the Association of Fife Rotary Clubs.
200 swimmers with physical, sensory or learning disabilities registered for the championships and enjoyed 5 hours of competitive swimming. Timekeeping responsibilities were in the hands of Sports Leaders from Kirkcaldy HS backed up by a superb small team of officials from Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club. DSF had a strong team of volunteers on the poolside looking after mustering, presentations and administration. A most enjoyable day was had by all.
Aileen Brown (Central Fife CSS) and Wayne Sammut (West Fife CSS) were the winners of the men’s and women’s trophy races for the leading swimmers in the Community Support Services. West Fife CSS retained the Anne H Brodie team trophy and the Sonia Kane Memorial Trophy.
Ten Fife secondary schools with departments for pupils with additional support needs contested the inter schools trophy. Woodmill HS from Dunfemline (50 points) retained the trophy ahead of Lochgelly HS (41 points) and Madras College St Andrews (39 points).
Throughout the day there were many fine individual performances. Cerys Venters Scott (Carnegie Swimming Club) and Shaun Rowcliffe (Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club) were the leading senior swimmers with a learning disability. Cameron Hay from John Fergus School caught the eye in the junior boys races and recorded excellent times in 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke in particular.
Cameron Hemphill, Katie Pake and Kerys Ballard from Carnegie SC were the leading physically disabled swimmers and newcomer Maddison Phillips from Glenrothes SC in her first championships caught the eye. DSF was delighted to welcome back former Scottish squad member Ross Keatings after many years away from the sport. Fife College students were back on the programme for the first time in many years and the pupils from Kirkcaldy HS DAS won their first ever swimming medal.
Rotarians Alan and Derek appear in the photo with West Fife swimmers at the conclusion of the championships.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees