British Wheelchair Basketball are looking to recruit 12 Lead Coaches/Court Managers for the new ‘Regional Skills Camps and Young Activators Course’. The Skills Camps will definitely help our up and coming young U16s players, and also help promote the sport to potential new players.
For more information see the British Wheelchair Basketball website:
Four Scots formed part of the UK Boccia team, winning four out of the five medals to ensure they topped the medal table at the 2017 BISFed European Championships, held in Povoa de Varzim, Portugal.
Team & Pairs
In the team and pairs events, the BC4 Pair of Stephen McGuire, Evie Edwards and Louis Saunders were closest to a Gold medal. Their final against Portugal, who they had earlier beaten at the pool stage, went down to a tie break after finishing 3-3.
An all Scottish BC3 Pair of Patrick Wilson, Jamie McCowan and Scott McCowan also took Silver. They recovered from a 1-4 loss to France in their Pool to record three victories, 4-3 over Portugal, 6-3 over Spain and 7-0 over Denmark. They defeated Greece 5-2 in the Semi-Final before losing the final 0-11 to Russia, who claimed their first European title.
Individual
There was also Scottish success in the individual competition with Jamie McCowan (and ramp assistant, Linda McCowan) took the BC3 title, whilst Stephen McGuire grabbed top spot in BC4 event in what was an incredible last day of the competition.
McCowan ground out a 3-2 semi-final against Greg Polychronidis of Greece, before facing Damian Iskrzycki from Poland in the final. After losing the first end 0-6, he fought back to win 8-7 in a remarkable turnaround to win his first European title.
McGuire battled through a very challenging semi-final to win 5-3 over Micaela Balcova from Slovakia prior to facing Russia’s Sergey Safin. In the end McGuire’s experience shown through as he ran out 6-1 to add the European Individual title to the World crown he claimed in 2016.
An impressive UK Boccia finished the competition with five medals from seven events.
FULL RESULTS
GOLD Individual BC1 – David Smith MBE
GOLD Individual BC3 – Jamie McCowan (assistant Linda McCowan)
GOLD Individual BC4 – Stephen McGuire
SILVER Pairs BC3 – Jamie McCowan (assistant Linda McCowan), Scott McCowan (assistant Gary McCowan, Patrick Wilson (assistant Will Wilson)
SILVER Pairs BC4 – Stephen McGuire, Evie Edwards, Louis Saunders
The Scotland National CP Team is made up of players from across Scotland with Cerebral Palsy, Stroke or Aquired Brain Injury.
Founded in 1995 in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport, the team has competed across the world in many competitions. Over the last 8 years we have competed with the top 16 elite teams, with our highest ranking of 6th in the world – this is higher than any Scotland national football team.
Unfortunately due to the current economic climate our funding is no longer available. This means that our players are unable to continue to compete on an international stage and without your help this team will no longer exist. Not only will our players lose their team, they will lose their pride, sense of belonging and their ability to reach their full potential.
This current group of players travel from across Scotland and the UK to attend regular training sessions, they sacrifice work, holidays, time with their family and friends to represent their country in the hope that we will compete in 2018.
To achieve this we want local businesses, sponsors, supporters, family and friends to come together during this crowdfunding period to play a part in something very special for the team and everyone involved.
Thanks for taking the time to read our story. Any donation, no matter how big or small, is much appreciated. We cannot do this without your support!
You can support the team here: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/scotland-national-cp-football-team/
West of Scotland duo Martin Perry and Conor McAdam won Gold in the men’s class 6 team event at the Para Table Tennis Belgian Open in what was a an extremely successful international series for the British Para Table Tennis Team.
This was followed up by an individual Silver for Perry who was defeated by Paul Karabardak 1-3 in an all British Final.
For a full report please visit:Â http://www.bttad.org/four-golds-in-14-medal-haul-for-british-team-in-belgium/
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The 26th-29th of October saw the first USA Para-Badminton International held in Colorado Springs where Scotland had three athletes participating across three sports classes.
Mary Wilson, representing the SL4 category, was doubly successful in the women’s SL3-SU5 singles category, securing a bronze after beating off two Japanese opponents in her group to reach the semi- finals. With SL3 and SL4 playing up a class, Mary, the only SL3/SL4 to reach the semi-finals, was also awarded a gold medal in the SL3/SL4 class for women’s singles.
Deirdre Nagle, representing SS6, medalled in both the women’s singles, beating the USA’s Colleen Gioffreda to the bronze medal, and securing a bronze in the mixed doubles partnering the USA’s Danh Trang.
Fiona Christie, representing WH2 in both women’s singles and doubles, had some extremely hard competition from Asia, with all matches being played against Koreans or Japanese. She had some close games and some tough losses.
For all results please see: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=4824B9C7-A38C-42B4-9A4B-7137964D57E7
Fraser Michie was also in action running the first Para-Badminton course in Cairo, Egypt for BWF with Spain’s Dina Abouzeid. The course ran for four days between 20th and 24th October, and saw them coaching and educating new athletes and coaches.
Kaity Hall was in Dubai running the second coaches’ workshop at the Dubai Club for Disabled between 23rd-25th October, with herself and Fraser Michie conducting the first course one year previously. She had over 25 new coaches from all over the UAE participating in the workshop. Dubai will be hosting their first Fazaa Para-Badminton International in April in which we hope to have Scottish Athletes competing.
Dubai Photo Credit: James Varghese
The Scottish Para bowls team competed against England and Wales in the Home Nations tests series from the 27 – 29 October 2017. The format included B2/B3 Mixed Pair and B6/B7/B8 Open Triples, replicating that of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next year.
This was the final opportunity for the bowlers to put in a performance ahead of selections next month as competition for places are as fierce as they ever have been.
Although winning the competition was a goal for all players and coaches, it was deemed secondary to trialling player combinations and positions in order to inform our final selections. In this regard the competition was a huge success.
There were some excellent performances across the board, with the physically disabled triple only losing twice in eight matches. This highlighting the quality Scotland possess, with all six players competing well. The visually impaired players had a mixed competition, losing five from eight matches, however, there were some top performances throughout from all players and directors.
Although finishing runners up by a narrow margin wasn’t the result we were all looking for, the competition served a great purpose and was hugely beneficial. The individual and team performances has left all the coaches and selectors much to contemplate over the next few days as we draw closer to naming our Gold Coast 2018 team.
Scottish Disability Sport wishes to thanks all the players, directors and coaches for their hard work and dedication over the weekend.
Open Triples B6/B7/B8
Billy Allan
Mike Nicoll
Garry Brown
Martin Hunter
John Hughes
Michael Simpson
Mixed Pair B2/B3
Billy Edgar
Robert Barr
Maria Spencer
Irene Edgar
Directors
Christine Morrow
Ron McArthur
Grace Whitton
Sarah Jane Ewing
Coaches<
Bob Dick (Head Coach)
Bob Christie
Nigel Walker
Eric McMillan
Chris McGready
The Mixed Pair B2/B3, Directors and Open Triple B6/B7/B8 will be nominated to Commonwealth Games Scotland prior to the team being fully announced on the 30 November.
This is a fantastic opportunity for people with a visual impairment to try a variety of sports in a friendly and supportive environment.
The visual impairment sports day aims to provide an introduction to sport and engage participants in sport. RNIB, Haggeye, Guide Dogs Scotland and Visibility are supporting Scottish Disability Sport and governing body partners the Scottish Football Association, JudoScotland, Scottish Swimming and Scottish Athletics, Goalball UK and Blazing Saddles to provide a quality experience to participants on the day.  This unique opportunity is funded by the BIG Lottery Fund.
Many people with a visual impairment are not aware of the opportunities available to them in their local area. Scottish Disability Sport Regional Managers will be on hand on the day to raise awareness and support participants to get involved in their chosen sport in their local area. If you would like to have a chat about the event please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sports on offer throughout the day are: athletics, bowls, cycling, football, goalball, judo, swimming and tennis.
Date: Saturday 11th November, 2017
Venue: Scotstoun Leisure Centre, 122 Danes Drive, Glasgow, G14 9HD
Time: 10.30 am – 4.00 pm
Cost: FREE
If you have a visual impairment or know someone with a visual impairment that would like to get involved in sport and would like to attend please register by telephoning Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.
Please note that booking is essential for all participants. The full registration pack can be downloaded here.
For public transport information please see the SPT website at: www.spt.co.uk
The third Stirling Wheelchair International Invitational was held at the Peak, Stirling, from October 17th – 20th, with the very best of the world’s wheelchair curlers gathered to face each other. Eight teams representing the official Curling Associations of their respective countries took part. Norway, current world champions and three times holder of the trophy, would have to fight off the world silver and bronze medalists, as well as two other world top ten ranked teams and three just outside the top ten.
There was a tremendous show of curling skill on show, played on great ice, resulting in an exciting week of sport. It went right to the last game on Friday, when Russia, world silver medalists, overcame a plucky Scottish outfit, world bronze medalists, to emerge victorious at 5 shots to 4 after the very last stone. It was that close. Team Switzerland slotted into third place.
Norway, the defending champs, could only make sixth spot; after a sticky start.
Pictured, the Russian winning team. From left to right as viewed: Andrey Smirnov, Konstantin Kierokhtin, Alexander Shevchenko, Marat Romanov, Daria Shchukino.
On the back row: Anton Batugin (coach), Andy Hemming (SWCII), Christine Simpson (Provost), Sandy Lees (AGL sponsor) and Judy Mackenzie (SWCII).
(Courtesy of Royal Caledonian Curling Cub)
The 2017 National Boccia Open for non-BISFed classes was held again at the excellent Engage Centre at the Sighthill Campus of Napier University.
SDS would like to extend their gratitude to the Celtic FC Foundation who have financially supported this event this year and allows SDS to provide a quality competitive opportunity for our players in Scotland, many of whom qualified for this event by succeeding in their regional championships.
This event is part of the new National Boccia Open Series alongside the inaugural International event held in October at Inverclyde and is a development of the restructuring of the Boccia calendar that took place in 2014. There are now many more quality competitive opportunities for our Boccia players in Scotland alongside an opportunity for increased match-time at these events. To validate this restructuring it is imperative the sport continues to grow. Boccia is clearly a sport which a wide demographic people enjoy playing and competing in and SDS feel it is important to ensure the competition pathway in this sport remains accessible for all players. To this end we encourage entries to both events from outside of Scotland and we were delighted to see that many of 2016’s champions returned to defend their titles, including players from outside these borders.
England’s Derek Sked – Section A Champion in 2015 & 2016 – was pushed all the way by the Borders’ Neil McMurdo – playing in his first national championships. Derek prevailed in the final by 4 shots to 3 but only by winning two shots on the final end of the match.
Section B was again split into two sections: Male and Female. This time there was a new name on the roster for the male section as last year’s winner James Muirhead didn’t progress through the group stages in what was a hugely competitive field. Michael Gilooly from Kirkriggs defeated the experienced Darren Rooney from Forth Valley in an entertaining final.
Last year’s winner in the female section, Jodie Lavin, was sadly unable to join us this year however, Kirsty McCallum ensured the title stayed in Lothian as she defeated Dundee’s Rebekah Perry in the final by 5 shots to 1. The No Limits athlete had previously won the title in 2012 and 2008 so completes her hat-trick of titles in this category.
The Junior section did not run this year so all junior players competed in the relevant adult section, many with great distinction. The final award of the day was the Dundee Trophy which is awarded to the most improved junior each year. This year the trophy was awarded to Kyle Latto from Dundee Boccia Club in recognition of his development this year.
A huge thanks must go to Lothian Disability Sport for assisting in hosting this event. A lot of work has been done in the region to progress Boccia and the fact they are hosting this national event is testament to the efforts of the many volunteers and staff from across the country that have helped with the event in terms officiating and supporting players to attend.
The standard of play across Scotland has gone from strength to strength and has certainly benefited from the increased number of players taking part at local level.
On behalf of Scottish Disability Sport and Lothian Disability Sport, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all players, clubs and teams every success in the competition.
A very warm welcome awaited Scottish Disability Sport at the new sportscotland Inverclyde Centre in Largs for the inaugural Scottish Boccia International Open event. SDS was delighted to host this event in conjunction with North Ayrshire Council and sportscotland. This event was a perfect opportunity to showcase this excellent facility at an event tailor-made for the fully accessible residential venue, which is now able to host up to 120 wheelchair users. The centre was at capacity with players, assistants and coaches from Scotland and neighbouring countries competing, featuring many of the very best players in the UK and from further afield taking part in a teams, pairs and individual sections for the first time in Scotland. This represents another major development for the sport of boccia in Scotland in attracting international-level competition to these shores.
Competition was fierce throughout with Friday witnessing some high quality Teams & Pairs events played to a finish, followed by Individual events on Saturday and Sunday. The Scottish BC2/2 players Reegan Stevenson and Callum Glasgow joined forces with Northern Ireland to finish in bronze position behind the team from Ireland in silver and the Boccia UK team in gold.
The strength in depth in the BC3 Pairs section was formiddable and so it proved as the two teams from Boccia UK battled it out with represenatives from the English Scorpion and Viper Academies – who had both impressively topped their respective groups. The Boccia UK pairs – featuring the mighty Scots players Patrick Wilson and the McCowan brothers – Jamie and Scott – drew on their consdierable top level experience to contest the final with the English pair of Jess Hunter and Rich Amos defeating their Scottish stablemates in a formidable performance.
Scottish interest continued in the BC4 Pairs section where Scotland’s Peter McGuire and Ross Munro battled against Evie Edwards and Louis Saunders across the best of three fixtures. The Scottish team outperformed all expectations to win all three matches.
In the individual sections Reegan Stevenson claimed his second bronze of the weekend qualifying from an extremely close group in second place on points difference. This meant he met Paralympic Gold Medallist David Smith MBE and, despite winning the first end and remaining competitive throughout, lost out on a final place. Reegan’s determination to complete the bronze set won through as he managed the match v Ireland’s Niamh Dunphy superbly to ease through to claim the podium place. Smith went on and claimed gold in victory over his teamate Tia Ruel.
Ireland’s Beijing Paralympian Padraic Moran eased to the BC 2 title and was only really stretched by England’s Reshad Saraj who defeated him in a tight group match, yet failed to qualify on the points difference as three players finished the group stage on equal points. Scotland’s Callum Glasgow struggled in a strong field but this experience will give him some targets to aspire to in squad training. Boccia UK’s Will Hipwell and England’s Tim Hayes completed the medals in the BC2 section.
The largest entry was in the BC3 section and the top seeds in each of the four groups were members of the UK Boccia Squad and were expected to qualify for the semi-finals. However, players from other countries had other ideas and England’s William Arnott and England Scorpion’s Cecilia Turk had other ideas defeating Patrick Wilson and Scott McCowan respectively in the group stages. This left one unseeded semi-final and a seeded semi-final in the latter stages. William Arnott continued his fine form in comfortably seeing off Cecilia to make the final whilst Jess Hunter defeated Jamie McCowan – who has been enjoying a great year – in the other semi-final. The final was a thrilling affair and resulted in a final end shootout which William Arnott won in front of the large crowd who had assembled.
This only left the BC4 section where five players competed in a round robin tournament. Peter McGuire and Ross Munro were hoping to take their impressive Pairs form into the Individual event against the strength of Boccia UK’s Evie Edwards and Louis Saunders alongside Harry Thompson, competing as an Independent. Evie and Louis shrugged off their Pairs disappointment to set the early pace in the section closely followed by Harry. Peter’s only victory was against Ross, whilst the young Scot found the going tough against the talented quartet in the section. It came down to the final fixtures and Evie emerged victorious with a 7-2 win over Louis, whilst Harry kept his nerve in a tie-break to claim the scalp of Peter.
Thanks to a successful bid to the Big Lottery People’s Project a number of new Boccia sessions will be rolled out around the country with a view to identifying the next generation of players in this sport. The national Boccia Engagement Days on Sunday 26 November in Easterhouse, Glasgow and Saturday 24th March (venue TBC) will support this aim so this excellent sport can continue to grow and strengthen its infrastructure in Scotland.
Thanks to all players, federations, officials (especially Steve Furber who stepped into the breach at the eleventh hour to assume the role of Head Referee) and volunteers for their support of this event, it was great to feature high quality competition in an enjoyable environment at a phenomenal facility.
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