Month: July 2021

Scott McCowan

Age: 30

Home town: Dundonald, South Ayrshire

Sport: Boccia

Events: Individual BC3 & Pairs BC3

Classification: BC3

Coach: Glynn Tromans

When and how did you get involved in sport?
I attended a local sports event for schoolchildren called Ayrshire Sportsability where I was first introduced to Boccia and met Claire Morrison (current Boccia UK Performance Coach) who at the time was a support coach for Scottish Boccia and she invited me to a Scotland squad session and after attending my first competition I was hooked

Career highlights:

  • Captaining the BC3 pair to World Championship Silver in 2014 and European Championship Bronze in 2013.
  • 4 time British Champion Competing at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
London 2012, Rio 2016 & Tokyo 2020

What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
I always aim to win every event and Tokyo is no different so the double gold is the dream and I believe I am capable but it’s just about hitting my top level at the right time. After two Games of coming home empty handed, the only successful Games can be to come home with silverware!

Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Be prepared for a lot of hard work as there is no cutting corners but the results are worth it!

Twitter: smccowan

Facebook: Scott McCowan

Instagram: smccowan17

Gordon Reid MBE

Age: 29

Home town: Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute

Sport: Wheelchair Tennis

Events: Men’s Singles & Doubles

Classification: Open

Coach: Bruno Argudo

When and how did you get involved in sport?

I first tried wheelchair tennis at the West of Scotland Wheelchair Club session in Scotstoun in 2005.

Career highlights:

  • Rio 2016 Paralympic Singles Gold & Doubles Silver
  • 2 x Singles Grand Slam Champion
  • 16 x Doubles Grand Slam Champion

How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
Three

What are your ambitions in Tokyo?

The dream is to win two golds.

Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?

Embrace everything that your sport brings, the good and the bad!

Twitter: @gordonreid91

Instagram: @gordonreid

Coming soon – National Boccia Day 2021!

 The theme of this year’s National Boccia Day is Boccia Is Back!, which will celebrate the transition from the virtual to the physical world of boccia across the four home nations.  

In the week leading up to National Boccia Day 2021, we will be showcasing different elements of boccia and how the sport is starting to move back to physical in person activities across the UK.  

And of course, it wouldn’t be National Boccia Day without the boccia community getting involved! 

So how can you be part of the National Boccia Day 2021 celebrations? 

Information is on the Boccia England website here: https://www.bocciaengland.org.uk/news/national-boccia-day-2021

Introduction to Inclusive Practice E-Learning Module

Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to launch our newest FREE e-learning activity for all our partners working across physical activity and sport, leisure, education and health.

Would you like to learn more about inclusive practice in physical activity and sport? This entry-level module is designed for everyone but will be particularly useful to those who are new to inclusive teaching and coaching, those who would like to become inclusive teachers or coaches, or those who would like to gain confidence in teaching or coaching inclusively.

The module should take approximately 60 minutes to complete and can be completed in stages rather than all at once if you prefer, and your progress will be saved.

There is no cost for this e-learning opportunity – all you need to do is register on our virtual learning environment, Brightspace, and work through the module at your own pace.

To access this training:

  1. Visit Introduction to Inclusive Practice E-Module to register on the Brightspace virtual learning environment. Click on the link, enter your details and click Enrol on the Introduction to Inclusive Practice module (IIP).
  2. If you have never used Brightspace before, choose New Learner where you can set up your account and this will take you to the start of your learning. Other governing bodies use this environment for courses including CWPS so you may already have joined. If so, click Already Registered and once you have enrolled the module will appear on your dashboard.

If you have any questions please contact admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com and we will help you through your registration.

Self help video:  Introduction to Inclusive Practice Instructional Video  and FAQ: https://scottishdisabilitysport.com/e-learning-faqs/

Derek Rae

Age: 35

Home town: Kirkcaldy, Fife

Sport: Athletics

Events: Marathon

Classification: T46

Name of club: Fife AC/DSF

Coach: Ron Morrison

When and how did you get involved in sport?
I got myself into sport at an early age taking up football at 8/9 years old. I enjoyed playing the game and my friends were playing too.

Career highlights:

My career highlights are:

  • Being selected to represent Team GB for my first Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016 was an amazing privilege and afforded me lots of experience. I feel honoured to have been selected for my second Games in Tokyo.
  • Finishing in 3rd at VLM 2017 in 2:33.24, which was a new PB. This race helped rebuild my confidence & self belief after not being able to finish the marathon in Rio.
  • Finishing 2nd in the World Para Athletics Championship marathon at VLM in 2019 with another new PB of 2:27.08. I was the first athlete to get Team GB on the medal table before the championships concluded in Dubai later in the year.

How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020

What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
To be competitive and enjoy the experience.

Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Believe in yourself.

Twitter: derekrae_85

Facebook: Derek Rae

Instagram: Dell_2310

Ben Rowlings

Age: 25

Home town: Bo’ness

Sport: Athletics

Events: 100m & 800m

Classification: T34

Name of club: Coventry Godiva

When and how did you get involved in sport?
I found wheelchair racing in 2011 at a British Athletics talent identification day. I was previously a swimmer but had to stop due to a chlorine allergy, so when I saw the race chairs I was hooked. They looked completely different to anything I had ever seen before and the thought of going quick round an athletics track was a massive draw.

Career highlights:

A career highlight was competing in the Rio Paralympics. Rio was my first Paralympic Games and although the races didn’t go to plan it was the moment I became a Paralympian which will always be a special moment. Another career highlight would be the quick individual races I have done. One that comes to mind is my European Record 800m race from 2017. I knocked 6 seconds off my personal best time in one race, crossing the line in 1.39. This was the first time I felt like I was at the level to compete for medals at major championships.

How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
Tokyo will be my 2nd Paralympic Games

What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
My ambition for Tokyo is to win medals.

Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
My advice would be try as many sports as you can until you find one that suits you and once you’ve found a sport that clicks throw yourself into every opportunity. Sport has changed my life and taken me to places I never thought I would get to go to so enjoy the journey.

Twitter: @BenRowlings

Facebook: Ben Rowlings T34 Wheelchair Racer

Instagram: benrowlings

British Curling Announces Wheelchair Athletes for 2021-22

In keeping with the strategy across the British Curling programme, competition will intensify for places in the wheelchair teams that will uniquely target dual success this season as the squad begins to train with an English-based trio who were selected to form a transition group last year.

With both events taking place in Beijing – in October and March respectively – the World Wheelchair Curling Championships are set to take place in the same season as the Paralympics for the first time ever, which means that twin peaks have to be reached in terms of preparation and performance.

The scale of that challenge makes the timing ideal for the merger of the two groups of players who have had to work separately since Stephen McGarry, Stewart Pimblett and Norma Woods were chosen to form the transition squad after being given the chance to benefit from British Curling’s support.

Pimblett comes into the squad having already played at three World B Championships, representing England and described his selection to join the British Curling squad as “an absolute honour.”

“I have dreamt about this and whilst I used to enjoy wheelchair basketball, I never really fulfilled my potential and this sport has surpassed that and I hope to achieve everything I possibly can with Sheila and the rest of the squad,” he continued.

Paralympic Head Coach Sheila Swan is looking forward to their involvement being beneficial in the longer term, as well as for the immediate season ahead.

“It is an unusual situation to be in, but many things have been unprecedented in the past year or so and what our athletes have demonstrated is their ability to rise to challenges put in front of them,” she said.

“As a result, we are back on ice already and I am delighted that this time around we have been able to include the transition squad members for the first time in the National Curling Academy.”

British Curling’s Executive Performance Director Nigel Holl offered warm congratulations to the newcomers to the squad and said their arrival at the National Curling Academy helps send out the right signals in terms of the way the programme is developing.

“Part of our job is to find ways of widening access to ensure that we maximise our chances of being competitive at the highest level of the sport and while curling has traditionally been very Scottish-oriented within the UK, we are always keen to encourage the growth of our sport,” he said.

“The emergence of Stephen, Stewart and Norma through the Northern Ice Wheelchair Curling Club that has been a great success story in the north east of England, has been a welcome addition to the mix as we continue to expand the squad and prepare longer term for the Paralympics in Milano Cortina in 2026, as well as the coming season’s World Wheelchair Championships and Winter Paralympics.

“The way our wheelchair curlers have handled what has been an extremely challenging period in their careers over the past year has earned them enormous respect throughout the programme and we look forward to them going from strength to strength with this infusion of new talent.”

 Programme athletes for 2021-22: 

 British Curling Programme Squad:

Meggan Dawson-Farrell (Tullibody)

Gregor Ewan (Elgin)

Charlotte McKenna (Bridge of Allan)

David Melrose (Duns)

Hugh Nibloe (Stirling)

Gary Smith (Edinburgh)

British Curling Transition Squad: 

Stephen McGarry (Bedlington)

Stewart Pimblett (Seghill)

Norma Woods (Bedlington)

Conner Morrison

Age: 24

Home town: Turriff, Aberdeenshire

Sport: Swimming

Events: 100m Breaststroke

Classification: S14 SM14 SB14

Name of club: University of Aberdeen

Coach: Gregor McMillan

When and how did you get involved in sport?
Swimming at school, then gradually moved up through the ranks.

Career highlights:

  • Winning silver medal in Dublin 2018 then retaining the silver medal in Madeira 2021.

How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
This will be my first one.

What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
Going there for the experience and swimming well, hopefully get a new PB.

Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Train, work hard and most of all enjoy.

Twitter: Morrisxn97

Facebook: Conner Morrison

Instagram: Morrisxn_

Toni Shaw

Age: 17

Home town: Aberdeen, Grampian

Sport: Swimming

Events: 400m Free, 100m Free & 100m Fly

Classification: S9

Name of club: University of Aberdeen

Coach: Gregor McMillan

When and how did you get involved in sport?
I went to Learn to Swim lessons & was asked to try out for a club. I joined Cults Otters & from there went on to Coast then U of A.

Career highlights:

  • Being part of the winning 34 point relay team at World Champs in London 2019
  • Representing /team Scotland at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

How many Paralympic Games have you competed in?
This is my first.

What are your ambitions in Tokyo?
To hopefully swim fast and do the best I can.

Do you have one bit of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Have fun and enjoy every training session and competition!

Twitter: Tonishaw_x

Facebook: Toni Shaw

Instagram: Tonishaw_

Scottish Visually Impaired Footballer aiming for FA Cup success

When Scottish Visually Impaired Footballer Neil Atkinson takes to the court this weekend in the English FA’s Disability Cup for his club Scorpions Futsal, he hopes that his participation will act as inspiration for other visually impaired Scottish footballers to take up the game.

The Livingston native takes part in his third FA Cup Final this weekend, defending the trophy he won with his club in 2019.

His success as a player has spurred him to work with the Scottish FA to create more opportunities for visually impaired footballers in Scotland. He has become an integral member of the recently formed Scottish Visual Impairment Football Network. The Network which aims to develop opportunities for individuals living with a visual impairment to play this adapted game format, was established in 2019. Having delivered two successful events in 2019, the Network is currently working to deliver a further events in 2021.

The Network includes representatives from the following organisations: Scottish FA, RNIB Scotland, Scottish Disability Sport, Rangers Charity Foundation, Stirling Albion Junior Academy and Dundee United Community Trust.

For more information on Visual Impairment Football opportunities, contact Laura.Anderson@Scottishfa.co.uk

Neil Atkinson: “As the only Scottish player in the Partially Sighted Futsal League I hope these events can highlight the opportunity there is for other visually impaired people in Scotland to play football, and ultimately help to grow participation north of the border.”

“I’m excited to be back on the court playing again competitively for the first time in over a year. The Cup is a great event and it’s really special to play at St. George’s Park.

“This is my third FA Cup Final, and this time we will be defending the trophy after our victory in 2019. It’s always a really exciting weekend and hopefully we can play well and repeat the success we achieved two years ago.”

Coverage of the Partially Sighted FA Disability Cup will be available on BT Sport from 2.45pm on Saturday, 17 July.

Article courtesy of the Scottish FA