Forbes Dunlop, Chief Operating Officer at sportscotland brought to a close a highly successful 56th Annual General Meeting of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). This year’s AGM was held at the Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling on Sunday 15th September and once again incorporated the running of the annual SDS Branch Conference. 81 members, athletes and players, friends and representatives from partner agencies attended the AGM.

The AGM opened with an emotional tribute to former Chair Janice Eaglesham MBE who sadly and unexpectedly passed away on the 21st July 2019. SDS Acting Chair Claire Morrison then welcomed those in attendance and thanked the key staff, coaches, volunteers and key partners for their hard work and commitment throughout the year. Attendees were informed that, in accordance with the SDS Articles of Association, the Board would appoint an interim Chair at the next Board meeting and that former Vice Chair, Catherine Goodfellow would take up this post. The election of directors of the Association followed and resulted in the following individuals being elected:

Directors
Oliver Barsby
Jay Runga
Rob Wilson

The Guest Speaker for the 2019 AGM was GB and Scotland Wheelchair Curling Coach, Sheila Swan who delivered an informative and entertaining presentation on her journey and experiences in the sport.

CEO Gavin Macleod reported on progress made during the past year in relation to the SDS strategic plan, “Inspiring Through Inclusion; 2017-2021” and also laid out the timeline and the consultation process for the next strategic plan.

Sheila Swan was then joined by Bill Hogg, on behalf of the Russell Hogg Trust, to present the SDS Awards to athletes, coaches and volunteers. The main award of the evening, the Gordon Brown Memorial Trophy for the Athletes’ Athlete of the Year, was awarded to Fife athlete Derek Rae.

The afternoon concluded with the AGM closing remarks being delivered by Forbes Dunlop who congratulated SDS on the successes of the year gone by and outlined how SDS contributed significantly to the new sportscotland national strategy, Sport for Life.

Click here for a copy of the slides from the SDS AGM of 2019.

SDS AWARD WINNERS 2019

MOR Certificate
Ayrshire Sportsability
Disability Sport Fife
Forth Valley Disability Sport
Highland Disability Sport

Russell Hogg Bursary
Sam Fernando
Cameron Radigan

Archie Cameron Bursary
Abbie McNally

Special Recognition Award
Tracey McCillen

Special Olympics Trophy
2019 World Games Team

John de Courcy Trophy
Fin Graham

Glasgow Trophy
Bob Dick

Elspeth Watson Trophy
Jack Calder

Russell Hogg Trophy
Pamela Robson

Fife Trophy
Sheila Swan

Dedication to Para-Football
Craig Milne

Findlay Calder Trophy
Derek Rae

Brian Dolan Memorial Trophy
Scott Quin

Angus Trophy
Scottish Wheelchair Curling Team

Gordon Brown Memorial Trophy
Derek Rae

The Scottish para lawn bowlers competed at the Home Nations Championships at the Rhiwbina Bowls Club in Cardiff, Wales.  The competition consisted of singles, pairs and triples for B2 – B8 players.

The annual event does have a focus on the B2/B3 Mixed Pairs and B6/7/8 Open Triple which is the two medal opportunities at the Commonwealth Games.  Furthermore, it allows Scotland to compete against two of their main rivals in the lead up to Birmingham 2022.

Scotland defeated Wales twice in the competition by score of 10-2 and 8-4.  However, they were also defeated by a strong England team twice by a score line of 4-8.

The final standings of the competition:

England: 34pts
Scotland: 28pts
Wales: 10pts

Congratulations to England who have spent a lot of time developing their para bowls programme and have gone from strength to strength over the last few years.

The Scottish Team:

Players:
Billy Allan
Garry Brown
Ian Brown
George Guthrie
Daniel Porter
Glen Livingston
Robert Barr
Mary Stevenson
John Fox
Melanie Inness

Directors:
Sarah Jane Ewing
George Miler
Christine Morrow
Nigel Walker

As part of the sportscotland Women and Girls’ Fund, Scottish Disability Sport has created a new and exciting boccia campaign targeting women and girls.

Girls in Boccia is for all women and girls with all disabilities. We are here to support all of you into boccia and help you succeed in the sport, whatever your aspirations.  There are many different reasons to get involved in the sport, which could include; becoming more active, to have fun, socialise with peers or just to give you something to do.  And we are here to help!

We have a range of ways to get involved with boccia. We offer:

• School visits, community visits and personal coaching.
• Individual sessions or girls only group sessions.
• Advise on and provide specific equipment to use in boccia sessions.
• A peer mentor programme to support you with playing boccia and becoming more physically active. This may include supporting you to get you settled into a club or session.

Does this sound like something you would enjoy?

Do you know anyone who would benefit?

Then do not hesitate to contact our National Boccia Development Officer, Madison Garland.
madison.garland@scottishdisabilitysport.com
07568 319 099

Or complete the form below:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/ScottishDisabilitySport/GirlsInBoccia

Facebook: @SDSboccia
Twitter: @SDS_boccia

Partners: sportscotland, Muscular Dystrophy UK, Cerebral Palsy Scotland and Capability Scotland

Glasgow Disability Sport are raising £10,000 to help disabled children & adults have life changing sporting opportunities & experiences. Let’s bring achievement, pride & joy to their life.

Please donate to our JustGiving Crowdfunding Page and help make it happen:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/glasgowdisabilitysport2019?utm_id=1&utm_term=e6qDq2y6Y

Background

Help us support people with a disability access sporting and physical activities in Glasgow and the West of Scotland

Glasgow Disability Sport (GDS) needs financial support to help us continue with our annual grass root club and sporting activities; calendar of competitive events as well as extend and increase the number of sporting activity sessions we deliver.

We are a charitable and voluntary organisation and our vision is to empower and lead inclusive sport to improve lives for people with a physical, sensory and/or learning disability in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

We have a three year development plan to build on our success stories and achievements over the years both in terms of successful athletes supported by GDS but also in terms of supporting the development of clubs, coaches and volunteers.

The monies raised will be used for the following: to increase the number of regional events run each year; co-ordinate and lead pathways and opportunities to all National Competitions; increase and create new sporting participation sessions; improve visibility and profile of our organisation so we can maximise our reach and increase the number of people participate in club and competitive sessions.

If you would like to find out more about the great work we do or if you wish to get involved then check out our website:

https://www.glasgowdisabilitysport.org/

Brits Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid and Andy Lapthorne produced two fantastic performances between them on Thursday’s first day of US Open wheelchair competition, with Hewett and Reid reaching their third successive men’s doubles final at the last Grand Slam of the year.

With Hewett and Reid bidding for a hat-trick of doubles titles in New York, they sped to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over French top seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer on a highly successful day for players on the LTA’s GB Wheelchair Tennis World Class Performance Programme.

In a rematch of the last two men’s doubles finals Hewett and Reid dropped just four points in the first four games against Houdet and Peifer and Hewett fired a backhand winner to wrap up the first set in just 24 minutes, the Brits having dropped a total of just eight points.

The second set proved somewhat tougher, with the first three games taking longer than the entire first set. However, three-time Wimbledon champions Hewett and Reid broke Peifer to move 5-3 ahead and Hewett served out the match after firing an unreturnable forehand at Peifer.

With Hewett and Reid now set to face French Open champions Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina and Shingo Kunieda of Japan in the final, Reid said: “We’ve put a lot of work into the last three or four months, specifically as a team, to try and improve
a few things in our game and I was just saying to Alfie that it’s great when it all comes together.

“We just did everything that we try to do normally, but just that bit better (today). We all enjoy these types of matches and this sort of environments.”

Hewett added, “It brings a lot of confidence when there’s so many great memories to take from this place. I always get excited to come back, whether it’s singles or whether it’s on the court with Gordon. We’ve won it both times we’ve been here together, so to reach another doubles final is something we’re both really, really proud of.”

Hewett and Reid begin their singles campaigns on Friday, Hewett opening his US Open title defence with a rematch of last year’s final against Kunieda, while Reid faces Houdet.

The first of three days of round-robin matches in the quad singles saw world No.3 Lapthorne secure back-to-back wins in Grand Slam competition over world No. 2 David Wagner of the USA. After beating Wagner to reach the inaugural Wimbledon quad singles final in July, 2014 US Open champion Lapthorne put up a brilliant performance as he raced to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over the
American for his most comprehensive victory over Wagner in 62 career matches and 17 match wins.

Lapthorne, who broke Wagner’s serve to love to complete victory in just 59 minutes, having won more than twice as many points as his opponent, said: “It’s a great day for me. All the hard work from training is paying off and translating onto the match
court. I’m really pleased to start with a win and I’m looking forward to giving it everything tomorrow against Dylan on a big court.”

Lapthorne now faces his doubles partner, world No.1 Dylan Alcott of Australia, in his second round-robin match on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday. The top two players after three days of round-robin competition will advance to Sunday’s quad singles final.

For news and updates from the wheelchair tennis draws and the fortunes of the Brits at the US Open, follow on Twitter @the_LTA and @WChairTennisGB.

To find out more about the LTA’s work with disability tennis, head to www.lta.org.uk/play or email disabilitytennis@lta.org.uk.

Photo courtesy of the LTA

GB Para Snowsport are searching for female athletes with the potential to become Para Snowboard Champions – no previous snowboard experience necessary!

For more information follow this link:

https://gbsnowsport.typeform.com/to/idRBCO

The 2019 BISFed European Boccia Championships concluded over the weekend and it was a hugely successful event for Boccia UK and an important milestone in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games qualification.

The British team of 10 players, included four members of the Scottish programme, including: Reegan Stevenson (BC1), Patrick Wilson (BC3), Jamie McCowan (BC3) and Stephen McGuire (BC4).  These players were supported by a further three Scots in lead coach, Claire Morrison and ramp assistants, Linda McCowan and William Wilson.

Individual Competition

The competition began with the individual event and there were some tough matches for all players.  McCowan and McGuire managed to progress to the quarter finals whilst Stevenson and Wilson bowed out in the group stages.  McCowan reached the Semi final following a very good performance, whilst McGuire’s individual competition ended with a 3-4 defeat.  Sadly, McCowan had to settle for 3 / 4 play-off following defeat in his match.  McCowan won the European Championships in 2017 and he used all his experience in the bronze medal match to ensure that the he reached the podium.

Team & Pairs Competition

The European Championships ended with the Team & Pairs competition and it was this event that delivered a huge amount of success for the Scottish players.

Stevenson was making his debut at this level and is the most recent Scot to progress through our programme to represent Boccia UK.  He formed a Team with David Smith (BC1), Will Hipwell (BC2) and Claire Taggart (BC2). The Team battled through the competition to deliver a bronze medal and much needed ranking points ahead of Tokyo 2020.

In the BC3 Pair competition Wilson and McCowan teamed up with Jess Hunter, in a now very experienced trio.  They developed through the group stages and finally bowed out at the semi final stages.  However, they delivered a bronze medal in the 3 / 4 playoff.

The BC4 Pair, led by Stephen McCowan, included the ever improving Evie Edwards and Louis Saunders cruised through the group stages, won their quarter-final and their semi-final.  However, the final proved a bridge too far and they had to settle for a silver medal.

Boccia UK will be delighted with the outcome of their latest major championships as the players and the coaching team continue their preparations for next years Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Full Boccia UK Results

Individual
BC1: David Smith (Gold)
BC2: Claire Taggart (Silver)
BC3: Jamie McCowan (Bronze)

Team and Pairs
BC1/2: Reegan Stevenson, David Smith, Will Hipwell, Claire Taggart (Bronze)
BC3: Jamie McCowan, Patrick Wilson & Jess Hunter (Bronze)
BC4: Stephen McGuire, Louis Saunders & Evie Edwards (Silver)

Disability Curling at The PEAK

Our disability inclusion classes offer two distinct curling sessions at The PEAK tailored to support those living with a disability. Our sessions are a great introduction to the sport of curling consisting of 1 hour of coaching with a qualified Active Stirling or Scottish Curling instructor. Get involved in this great sport, meet new friends and have fun on the ice. Carers are welcome to attend for free and would be encouraged to take part on the ice.

Learn to Curl – Disability

Curling Stick Coaching

Stick curling sessions are for existing stick curlers and also for those who are new to the stick delivery on the ice If you are an existing curler, thinking about switching, or just want to increase your current stick skills – this class is for you! Each session is coached by Scottish Curling qualified coaches. For new and experienced stick curlers.

Learn to Curl – Stick Curling

SDS is saddened to hear of the passing of Davie Lawrie.

Davie volunteered with the Scottish Disability Sport National Cerebral Palsy Football Squad in the early years of the squad. Davie was a coach within the national programme which coached footballers of all levels once a month in Stirling, and he would accompany the national squad players to international competitions. One such competition was in Denmark, and it was at this event that Davie was remembered for waking up the whole squad early in the morning by ringing a huge school bell.

He also accompanied Special Olympics teams to international competitions. Forth Valley Disability Sport captured the heart of Davie who volunteered over a period of 18 years in many roles. He was chairperson, vice chairperson, committee member, coach, mentor and fundraiser.

Davie was well known to parents, athletes, schools and local authorities. He was known as “one man and a bag of footballs” when he would tour schools and day centres to coach young people and adults with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. Notably, all players hung on every word that Davie said as he made every session fun and very enjoyable, and he always had the players’ best interests at heart.

He was the key driver in developing the Football For All event which became the first disability football event in Scotland to offer competition opportunities for mainstream pupils.

Davie was delighted when his service to FVDS was recognised and he was awarded the Service to Sport award. Shortly afterwards this very award became known as the Davie Lawrie Service to Sport Award.

Outwith disability sport, Davie refereed boys’, girls’, women’s and men’s football games where he wouldn’t be afraid to use yellow and red cards in a gentlemanly manner. Davie also gave his time to local care homes, performing old classic sing-alongs to residents who looked forward to his weekly visits.

Davie was one of a kind, well respected by everyone who was fortunate enough to make contact with him. He was a kind, helpful and generous individual who will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by Scottish Disability Sport, Special Olympics Scotland and Forth Valley Disability Sport.

Funeral service on Monday 2nd September 2019 at Co-op Funeral Parlour, Alloa at 1:15pm, thereafter to Sunnyside Cemetery at 2:00pm. There will be a retiral collection in aid of Strathcarron Hospice.

West Lothian’s Bobby Laing marked his attendance at last week’s BWF Para Badminton World Championships with a sliver medal in the mixed doubles, alongside partner Rebecca Bedford (England). The Championships saw several East of Scotland players travel to Basel, Switzerland to compete in singles and doubles action from 20th – 25th August. The players, who all have a strong association with Lothian Disability Badminton Club (LDBC), were supported throughout by coach Sarah Bok.

Laing and Bedford, who were unseeded in the Short Stature (SS)6 class, were unbeaten in their group recording victories against parings from the USA and the number two seeds from South America. This saw the British duo through to the semi final stage where they matched up against Goncalves Tavares (Brazil) and Fernadez Vargas (Peru), claiming the victory in a pulsating match 21-11, 23-25, 23-21 and setting up an all British final against Andrew Martin and Rachel Choong (England). The match eventually went in favour of the all England partnership and triple mixed World Champions with a 21-15, 21-13 victory, meaning that Scotland’s Laing went home with a sliver medal.

Laing also competed in the singles, recording two group victories before losing out 21-9, 21-12 to an American player in the round of last 16.

Midlothian based athletes Alan Oliver and Colin Leslie both competed in the Standing Lower (SL) 3 class with some varying fortunes. Oliver performed well over the course of his group matches, claiming two victories and one loss to set up a last 16 clash with top 10 seed Indian player Umesh Vikram Kumar eventually losing out 21-16. 21-12. Leslie, found the competition at the tournament tough as he lost all three group matches including a close fought match with Chinese player Faxin Wu.

Both players were also entered into the SL3 men’s doubles with Oliver and Swedish partner Rickard Nilsson particularly unlucky not to progress further after two group victories (including one walkover).

The only female player to represent Scotland was Edinburgh based player, Mary Wilson. Wilson, who is relatively new to the sport and competing in the SL 4 category, was unlucky not to progress from her group after recording one victory (v Ugandan player Khadja Khamuka) and two defeats. Wilson was then paired with Englishman Antony Forster in the mixed doubles, unfortunately coming up slightly short and losing both group matches.