Ryan Peterson from St Andrews is a very committed all round athlete. In swimming in particular he has been very successful and his record in local and national competitions is very impressive. As recently as two weeks ago Ryan represented East Fife Community Support Services in the Trophy Race at the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) swimming championships and finished in first place. This result identified Ryan as the leading swimmer within the three Community Support Services in 2017. Ryan is currently coached by DSF coach Kathy Bijak.
Over the years Ryan has demonstrated a love for physical activity, including sport. He has always been encouraged to be active by his parents, Dalgairn Centre and now East Fife Community Support Services staff. Ryan is an enthusiastic footballer and athlete and he enjoys competing for East Fife CSS in DSF competitions. Each week Ryan attends the weekly multi sport session at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre in Glenrothes. Whether the activity is basketball, badminton, tug of war, carpet bowls, unihoc, football or fitness activities Ryan offers one hundred per cent as he has done since he first became involved with DSF.
A few years ago DSF became involved with St Andrews Bowling Club because the club was going through a major refurbishment and new build. The club has always had a strong commitment to inclusive practice and Wendy Thomson from St Andrews took the opportunity to become a member. Wendy is a past Fife and Scottish disability bowls champion and a key member of the DSF bowls squad. Like Ryan (2005), Wendy (2008) is a member of East Fife CSS and a previous winner of the Rotary Club of St Andrews Sports Personality of the Year Award. Like Wendy, Ryan has now become a member of St Andrews Bowling Club and is playing there twice a week. Ryan has taken up bowls seriously and there is no doubt he will master the skills quickly as he has with all the other activities he has mastered over the years.
DSF is proud to be associated with St Andrews Bowling Club which is one of many clubs across Fife fully committed to inclusive practice. Wendy is a key member of the DSF bowls squad and it will not be too long before Ryan steps up to the plate and puts himself in contention for a place in the Fife Team for the Inter Area Bowls championship for players with a learning disability.
Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife