Home Nations Championships 2019
22 – 24 March 2019 
Glasgow Indoor Bowls Club

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is currently the recognised governing body for para lawn bowls in Scotland and is tasked with selecting players that can deliver medals at the highest levels of international competition, including the Home Nations Championships, IBD World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

From the 22 to 24 March 2019 Scotland will host the Home Nations Championships at Glasgow Indoor Bowling Club, in what will be the first of a revised format of the competition series. Going forward there will be two Home Nations competitions per annum, one indoor, and one outdoor; with a focus on the Commonwealth Games disciplines of B2/B3 Mixed Pairs and B6/B7/B8 Open Triples. However, there will be the added singles element as part of the home nations programme.

The talent pool in Scotland has increased considerably over the past 12 months, with several new players obtaining an international classification. Whilst exciting for the sport, it doesn’t make selection decisions any easier. Nevertheless, we are confident of a strong Scottish performance in this home nations competition.

Commenting on the team selection, SDS Performance Manager, Gary Fraser said: “We are looking forward to hosting the home nations championships in what will the first of a revised format and we are delighted to announce a strong field of players. This presents the ideal opportunity for all players to stake their claim to be amongst Scotland’s elite, with less than two years to go until the IBD World Championships.”

Scottish Para Lawn Bowls Squad

Players	Classification	Town	Local Authority	Branch
Mary Stevenson	B2	Barrhead	Renfrewshire
Maria Spencer	B3	Dunfermline	Fife	Disability Sport Fife
Robert Barr	B3	Glasgow	Glasgow	Glasgow Disability Sport
Sandy McIntosh	B2	Inverness	Highland	Highland Disability Sport
Billy Allan	B6	Cowdenbeath	Fife	Disability Sport Fife
George Guthrie	B6	Glasgow	Glasgow	Glasgow Disability Sport
John Wardrope	B7	Ayr	South Ayrshire	Ayrshire Sportsability
Garry Brown	B7	Kirkmuirhill	South Lanarkshire	South Lanarkshire Disability Sport
Glen Livingston	B7	Carnock	Fife	Disability Sport Fife
Michael Simpson	B7	Auchtermuchty	Fife	Disability Sport Fife
Ian Graham (R)	B2	Grangemouth	Falkirk	Forth Valley Disability Sport
Sharon Moncrieff (R)	B3	Cumbernauld	Glasgow	Glasgow Disability Sport
Fraser Mathieson (R)	B6	Stirling	Stirling	Forth Valley Disability Sport
Daniel Porter (R)	B8	Galashiels	Scottish Borders	Scottish Borders Disability Sports Group

(R): non-travelling reserve

Director	Town	Local Authority	Branch
Sarah-Jane Ewing	Dunfermline	Fife	Disability Sport Fife
George Miller	Ardrossan	North Ayrshire	Ayrshire Sportsability
Christine Morrow	Dalmuir	Clydebank	Glasgow Disability Sport
David Thomas	Ardrossan	North Ayrshire	Ayrshire Sportsability

 

Coach	Town	Local Authority	Branch
Bob Dick (Head Coach)	Cupar	Fife	Disability Sport Fife
Bob Christie	Brechin	Angus	Angus Disability Sport
Chris McGready	Perth	Perth	Perth & Kinross Disability Sport
Eric McMillan	Cowdenbeath	Fife	Disability Sport Fife

 As the daylight in the evenings extends and March approaches, SDS Regional Managers in Tayside, East of Scotland and West of Scotland are getting ready to welcome participants to the well-established Parasport Festivals in their regions, but for the West of Scotland this will see the flagship event celebrating its 10th anniversary.  

The first Parasport Festival took place in the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow and proved to be so successful that other regions gradually introduced the event which now takes place in five regions across Scotland: Grampian, Central Scotland, East of Scotland, West of Scotland and Tayside. 

The event is designed to encourage pupils with physical, visual and hearing impairments in primary and secondary mainstream education, to experience a range of sports with the aim of being supported to engage in ongoing regular activity/sport. The specific target group for the event is identified in the SDS Equality Action Plan. 

These bespoke events are very much a partnership event where SDS Regional Managers work with Active Schools Co-ordinators and Sports Development Officers from Local Authorities, Trusts, governing bodies of sport and local sports clubs.  

The impact of the hugely successful events is outlined in the Celebrating 10 Years video but some facts and figures at a glance are listed below – and if you want to see more about what the events offer click on the brief promotional video link. 

Scottish Disability Sport CEO, Gavin Macleod, said: “The Parasport Festivals have grown over the last 10 years to become a focus point for introducing young people with physical and sensory impairments to a wide variety of sports and providing opportunities into regular participation. We would like to thank the numerous governing body and Local Authority partners across Scotland who have provided vital support to enable these Festivals to evolve.” 

Facts and figures at a glance: 

• In 2019 SDS is celebrating 10 years of Parasport Festivals
• 1618 pupils have attended para sport festivals in 27 local authorities
• After attending the multi-sport festivals 15% of participants have been supported to engage in weekly sessions or clubs
• The male to female ratio has moved to from 80/20 to 60/40
• In 2018 50% of participants attended the festival for the first time, providing evidence that the festival should be continued to be provided
• 68% of participants have a physical disability, 21% have a visual impairment and 11% have a hearing impairment
• Participants of the festival were invited to feed back on the impact of sport on their lives in a survey. The results demonstrated that: 
• 98% felt better by participating in sport  
• 98% felt more confident in their physical ability  
• 93% got out more and were less socially isolated  
• 95% felt more competent in their physical ability  
• 91% felt more able to cope with life  
• 90% made more friends through sport  

If you or any one you know has a disability and would like to get involved in the Parasport Festivals or any other disability sport programmes,  please telephone 0131 317 1130 or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com. 

#Getinvolved 

#SDSInclusivesport 

Scottish Disability Sport has partnered with the Celtic FC Foundation, RNIB, Haggeye, Guide Dogs Scotland, Visibility, JudoScotland, Scottish Swimming, Scottish FA and scottishathletics to provide an opportunity for people across Scotland with visual impairments to try a variety of sports. This fantastic opportunity is open to everyone over 10 years.

This event provides anyone living with a visual impairment with the opportunity to try a wide range of sports.

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.

All participants will have the opportunity to try the following sports:

• Athletics
• Bowls
• Cycling
• Football
• Goalball
• Judo
• Swimming

If you have, or someone you know has, a visual impairment and would like to get involved in sport, please register by:

• Completing this registration pack – Visual Impairment Sports Day Registration Pack
• Completing the online form here – Online Registration
• Phone us on 0131 317 1130, or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Details of the Event

Venue: St Paul’s RC Academy, 90 Gillburn Road, Dundee DD3 0EH
Date: Saturday 30th March 2019
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm (10.30am registration)
Cost: FREE!

Paralympic bronze medallist Aileen Neilson will skip Scotland’s team at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships which will be hosted in Stirling next month (3-10 March 2019).

Neilson is the most decorated athlete in the Scotland line-up having medalled at the Paralympics in Sochi, as well as earning silver and two bronze medals from previous World Championship appearances in 2011, 2007 and 2017 respectively. The 47 year old who lives in Strathaven, was the first woman to skip a wheelchair curling team at a Paralympic Games (2010) and a World Championships (2011) and her appearance at The Peak Sports Village next month will mark her ninth appearance at a World Championships.

“It is always an honour to be selected to represent your country and whilst the Paralympics is the pinnacle of my career, to have the opportunity to compete in a home World Championships is right up there too,” said Neilson.

“I was a spectator at the World’s when they were last hosted in Scotland back in 2005 and it was a light bulb moment. I had just started curling and met the team representing Scotland and I knew at that point I wanted to become a competitive curler and represent my country. I very much hope that we will have good home support with lots of saltires in the crowds next month and our team will inspire the next generation of wheelchair curlers to whatever level they aspire to,” she said.

Neilson is joined by fellow Sochi medallist Robert McPherson, who was also in the world bronze medal winning team in 2017 along with Hugh Nibloe, who made his Paralympic Games debut in PyeongChang in 2018. At 37 years, Nibloe is the youngest member of the quintet which features two world championship debutants.

David Melrose from Duns has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the game, having been introduced to the sport in 2014 and selected to the British Curling elite programme at the start of this season. His first competitive outing for Scotland was last October at the Stirling Wheelchair Curling International Invitation (SWCII) which was hosted at the same venue where he will make his first World Championship appearance.

The 52 year old former fire fighter said: “I feel very excited and privileged to be part of this team and to wear the Scotland top with my name on the back feels very special. It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a home Championships, as I know for some of us it will be the first time that friends and family can watch us compete, having been unable to travel abroad for other events, so we will be aiming to deliver worthy performances for everyone.”

Gary Logan completes the team as alternate and he will earn his first cap for Scotland as he makes his World Championships debut. The 47 year old has previously competed at two World B Wheelchair Curling Championships for the English Curling Association in 2015 and 2016, but as the son of Scottish parents he said: “My dad John would be ‘especially proud of my achievements and inclusion in the Scotland rink.”
Stirling’s hosting of the eight day event is the first time the World Championships have been staged in Scotland since 2005 and the tournament will feature 12 teams for the first time. The member associations competing are Canada, China, Germany, Korea, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Slovakia, Switzerland and United States, along with nations Estonia and Latvia who are making their first appearance at these Championships.

British Curling Head Wheelchair Coach Sheila Swan said: “This is the most important annual event in our sporting calendar, providing our first opportunity to gain crucial qualification points for ParalympicsGB towards the next Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2022.

“Our team comprises a mixture of experience and new talent which will aim to deliver another medal winning performance on the return of this tournament to Scotland. The last time we hosted the tournament was also the last time we won gold and we are looking forward to the backing of our Scottish supporters, who will no doubt play a huge role in welcoming all nations to the biggest event outside of the Paralympic Games,” Swan added.

Tickets are now on sale for the championships hosted at the Peak, which is operated by Active Stirling.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “I am delighted to see such a high calibre Scottish team competing in Stirling next month at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships. Scotland is the perfect stage for curling events and we look forward to welcoming many more world-class athletes from across the globe for what is sure to be an exciting tournament.”

Scottish Curling CEO, Bruce Crawford said: “We have selected a strong team to represent Scotland at this year’s World Wheelchair Curling Championships, which we are hosting in Stirling 3-10 March.

“The team has a good balance of experience alongside fresh talent which will make them exciting to watch.

“We wish them every success as they strive to perform in front of the home crowd in Stirling in the first event of the qualification process for the next Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing 2022.”

Ticket prices are £4 per session for round-robin group matches, £6 for Saturday’s knockout Semi Finals and £10 for Sunday’s Bronze and Gold medal matches.

For information on accessible seating please contact Box Office on 01786 473 544 / 274 000.

All tickets can be bought at: https://culturestirling.org/world-wheelchair-curling-championships/

You can follow the build-up and results of the World Wheelchair Curling Championship on Twitter, Instagram (@worldcurling | @wwhcc2019) and Facebook (/WorldCurlingFederation | /wwhcc19) and by searching the hashtags #WWhCC2019 #curling

SCOTLAND TEAM:

Aileen Neilson (skip) – 47yrs, born East Kilbride, lives Strathaven
David Melrose – 52yrs, born Haddington, lives Duns
Robert McPherson – 50yrs, born Motherwell, lives Bellshill
Hugh Nibloe – 37yrs, born Stranraer, lives Stranraer
Gary Logan – 47yrs, born Berwick-upon-Tweed, lives Cornhil on Tweed, Northumberland

Wednesday 6th February 2019 saw a huge step in the development and progression of Powerchair Football across Scotland.

After several visits to the Scottish Parliament in 2018 and a presentation to the Cross Party Disability Group chaired by MSP Jeremy Balfour, the Scottish Powerchair Football Association were successful in obtaining a members’ debate within the Scottish Parliament.

MSP Jeremy Balfour opened the debate, having been instrumental in raising the motion and gaining the necessary support required. He commended the Executive and the many volunteers who give their time to support Powerchair Football in Scotland.

Bruce Crawford MSP from Stirling specifically discussed the recent Powerchair Football development within Central Scotland in which Cheryl Lappin (Scottish Disability Sport Regional Development Manager) was the driving force in bringing the key partnerships together, and championed the need for Changing Places station within the Peak.

Cheryl said: “We at Scottish Disability Sport within Central Scotland are delighted to see local MSP Bruce Crawford recently take part in Jeremy Balfour’s Powerchair Football Debate within the Scottish Parliament. As an influencer in bringing together key partners to develop new initiatives for disability sport within Central Scotland, it was great to see the Powerchair Football and many other projects, clubs, and partnerships showcased and spoken about so highly at this level.”

The debate was closed by Minister for Sport, Health and Wellbeing Joe Fitzpatrick who commended the partnerships involved and all the great work they do.

You can watch the debate on Bruce Crawford MSP’s facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/BruceCrawfordSNP/videos/545460772605634/

Michael McCraw and Diane Gillan were both treble winners in the Division 1 events for players with a learning disability at the inaugural Scottish National Disability Championships in this form, held at the Dalkeith Campus on Saturday 26 January. 

McCraw finished ahead of James Pert in the singles, before teaming up with Kevin Dobson to beat Dean Bernard and James McNeil in the final of the men’s doubles. Gillan beat Kerry Duncan to the top spot on the podium in the women’s singles and battled to a hard-fought doubles title with Hazel Irvine, beating Duncan and Emma Stewart 21-19 17-21 21-9 in the final. McCraw and Gillan then teamed up to win the mixed, winning all their matches to top the group with Bernard and Irvine taking the silver medal. 

The winners of the men’s singles divisions 2, 3 and 4 for players with a learning disability were James McNeil, Gregor Hardie and Nathan Boyle respectively, while Emma Stewart won the women’s singles division 2. Boyle and Alastair Daniels won the division 2 men’s doubles and Edward Hagerty and Emma Stewart won the division 2 mixed title. 

Grant Allen beat Richard Lean 21-13 21-17 in the final of the SL3-SU5 men’s singles and Lean also won the SL4 men’s singles, beating David Purdie into second place. Colin Leslie beat Logan Welsh 21-11 21-12 to win the SL3 men’s singles and Mary Wilson beat Lesley Johnstone 21-7 21-7 to win the SL4 women’s singles. Leslie and Lean won the SL3-SU5 combined doubles with Allen and Purdie finishing second, and Leslie also won the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles with Wilson, while Lean and Tracey Thomson were runners up. 

In the SS6 events Bobby Laing beat Andrew Davies 21-12 21-18 in the final of the men’s singles before they teamed up to win the men’s doubles, with Ross Foley and Jack Purvis runners-up. 

Fiona Christie won the combination wheelchair singles, beating Anthony Stott in the final 21-7 21-10 but Stott got his own back in the doubles when he and David Birtles beat Christie and Duncan Taylor 13-21 21-14 21-19 in the final. 

A total of 100 matches were played over 21 events and we would like to thank the University of Edinburgh for providing the scorers and the Lothian Disability Badminton Club committee for their unstinting support throughout.  

These championships have been three years in the making and is a true representation of partnership working between Scottish Disability Sport, Badminton Scotland and Lothian Disability Badminton Club. Thanks to Lyndon Williams who was instrumental in getting this event to this stage, David Gillespie and Alistair and Roselind Hall who provided invaluable organisation prior to and during the event.  

Full results are here.

 

There was a fantastic Scottish medal haul from the British National Track Championships in Manchester last weekend. 

Neil Fachie and (adopted Scot) Matt Rotherham continued their incredible form, setting two new World Records, subject to ratification, in both the 200m Time Trial, where they also took the Gold, and the 1000m Time Trial, picking up the Silver. 

Laura Cluxton, riding for RT23 and piloted by Laura Clode, followed on from a good 1000m Time Trial performance to take Bronze in the 3000-4000m Pursuit with a factored time of 4:31.131. 

It was a good weekend for Glasgow CT rider, Fin Graham medalled in both the 500m-1000m Standing Start Time Trial and the Para C 3000-4000m Pursuit picking up Bronze and Silver respectively. 

Furthermore, Grampians Colin Wallace competed in the vent for the first time after getting involved in the sport following the #Discover Para Potential event in Glasgow in June last year.  Colin  

Scottish Disability Sport would like to congratulate all those racing at the Championships. 

A full report can be found via Scottish Cycling’s website:  

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/scotland/article/20190128-scottish-cycling-news-Weekend-Round-Up–25-27-January-0  

Saturday 26^th January saw Scottish Disability Sport, in partnership with British Curling, host the Wheelchair Curling Talent Development Day at the Peak, Stirling.

Individuals of various ages and abilities attended the day which consisted of theory-based workshop detailing wheelchair curling, classification and pathway information, followed by participants undertaking a two-hour session on the ice with British Curling coaches.

Participant quote: “I really enjoyed the open day, it was fantastic to meet the SDS and British Wheelchair Curling staff as well as Bob McPherson showing off his Sochi Bronze medal. I definitely will be looking to continue participating in wheelchair curling.”

On the day, SDS and British Curling staff also established the development of a Central Wheelchair Curling Development squad, for which a handful of individuals were selected. Additionally we signposted all participants to the Active Stirling Learn to Curling programme (see details on flyer below).

Disability Curling

Tickets are now on sale for the World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2019. The championship is being held at Stirling’s PEAK Sports Village from 3rd to 10th March. This tournament is the first opportunity for the competing nations to gain vital qualification points for the 2022 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Details can be found at: https://www.scottishcurling.org/world-wheelchair-curling-championship-2019-tickets-now-on-sale/

If you would like to find out more information about Wheelchair Curling please contact British Curling, details found at www.britishcurling.org.uk/contact-us.asp

To find out more about disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact Cheryl Lappin, Scottish Disability Sport Regional Development Manager, on cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07577 830360.

Paralympian and Scottish Disability Sport Hall of Fame member Valerie Robertson was in touch earlier this evening to inform me that the most influential Scot in the development of international disability sport has passed away in Aylesbury.

The funeral will be held on Monday 18th February at 1200 noon at Warriston Crematorium, Warriston Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HW.

Jean Stone MBE was a founder member of the Scottish Paraplegic Association, the Scottish Sports Association for the Disabled (SSAD, now SDS) and the development of Stoke Mandeville as a world renowned centre of excellence for international disability sport.

Jean was heavily involved with the Third Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Edinburgh in 1970 and served the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as a volunteer for decades. There has never been a more respected figure in disability sport and all of us in Scotland who were influenced by and learned from her have much to thank her for. Jean Stone was an exceptional lady and Scottish Disability Sport recognised the importance of Jean in the development of sport in Scotland by honouring her with the title of Honorary Vice President.

Following her attendance at the National Stoke Mandeville Games in the summer of 1962, Jean wrote to the Secretary of State to ask for “recognition of the Welfare and Sporting Activities of the disabled” in Scotland. Jean was writing in her capacity as Secretary of the Scottish Paraplegic Association (SPA) and with support from the founding father of disability sport, Sir Ludwig Guttmann. Jean managed to arrange a meeting with representatives from the Scottish Education Department and Scottish Home and Health Department in the autumn of 1962 as a first stage to establishing a sports organisation in Scotland that was representative of all impairment groups.

The favoured approach at the time was to establish a Scottish Branch of the British Sports Association for the Disabled (BSAD) and this was the outcome of the inaugural meeting attended by 18 representatives from 15 organisations concerned with the welfare of disabled people, at the Simon Square Centre in Edinburgh on Monday 24th June 1963.

The First Commonwealth Paraplegic Games were held in Perth, Western Australia in 1962 and the Second Commonwealth Paraplegic Games, in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966. On examining the records of the time it is impossible not to be impressed by the massive effort that went in to fundraising for training and travel and the number of volunteers that were required to support Scottish teams travelling overseas.

In 1963 the National Stoke Mandeville Games were held at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh and also in the 60’s a Scotland v England wheelchair basketball competition was staged in front of the bandstand in Princes Street Gardens during the Edinburgh International Festival, attracting spectators from home and overseas. Strong successful Scottish teams coordinated by Jean Stone competed annually in the National Stoke Mandeville Games and Scotland was always represented in significant numbers in the GB Team for the International Stoke Mandeville Games. By 1966 the Scottish Paraplegic Association was sending 20 members to the Stoke Mandeville Games by air with appropriate numbers of support staff.

By 1968 lack of funding had become an issue. The Scottish Education Department grant remained at £120 but there was great excitement as the 1970 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games planned for Edinburgh drew nearer. Scotland’s first sports centre at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow encouraged inclusivity and it was reported that the Chairman had engaged with the architects of Meadowbank and the Royal Commonwealth Pool to ensure the east followed the example of the west. The Thistle Foundation was well established as an example of a disability sports hub and the Scottish Paraplegic Association(SPA) continued to promote and develop wheelchair sports and produce athletes of excellence.

A Special Meeting was called for Monday 3rd August 1970 at 17.00 hrs. in the Simon Square Centre in Edinburgh to change the name of the Association to the Scottish Sports Association for the Disabled(SSAD), amend the constitution and create an independent Association for Scotland. Jean Stone and others had campaigned vigorously for Scottish autonomy and finally their efforts had paid off. At the AGM in April 1972 the new constitution of SSAD was approved and the relationship with BSAD was settled.

Jean Stone and the late Bob Mitchell were the driving forces behind the establishment and development of disability sport in Scotland throughout their lives.

I was privileged to spend almost a full day with Jean last year at her home in Edinburgh. The occasion was to celebrate the life of the late John Clark who had recently passed away. I thought I knew a lot about Jean but that day I learned so much more. Her passion and commitment to disability sport were exceptional and long lasting. Jean touched the hearts of many and championed the cause of so many athlete members of the SPA, SSAD and SDS.

Jean was a private person but had so many contacts in every corner of the world. She was an exceptional politician, amazing administrator and such an expert in so many aspects of wheelchair sports in particular. Has there ever been a more influential volunteer? I doubt it.

Thank you Jean for your friendship and expertise. Your legacy will always be everything that is special about Scottish Disability Sport in 2019.

Richard Brickley MBE

Photo courtesy of WheelPower

Reigning US Open champion Alfie Hewett faces a rematch of September’s men’s singles final in New York against world No. 1 Shingo Kunieda when the four-strong Brit wheelchair tennis challenge begins on Wednesday at the Australian Open.

While Hewett begins his bid for back-to-back Grand Slam singles crowns against Japan’s defending Australian Open champion, 2016 champion and fellow Brit Gordon Reid will play Stephane Houdet of France, the 2018 runner-up to Kunieda at Melbourne Park.

Lucy Shuker will open her women’s singles campaign against Dutch defending champion Diede de Groot, while Andy Lapthorne plays former champion David Wagner of the USA in his first of three quad singles round-robin matches.

Ahead of his first match since winning the US Open in September, world No.3 Hewett said:

“I’ve come back from having a break and I’m feeling motivated to perform and where that leads I’m excited to find out. I’ve had an intense training period leading up to Australia. My fitness was always maintained, so physically I feel like I’m fresh and in a good place. However, when you take time away from the sport its surprising how quickly you lose little things about your game. So I’ve had to work hard to get back up to a level where I feel like I can really challenge for the title.”

World No.7 Reid won the first Grand Slam singles title of his career in Australia three years ago and is relishing his return to Melbourne, which will see him play world No.3 Houdet in his opening singles and doubles matches. He said:

“I love coming back to Melbourne Park, they have improved the facilities once again and it’s fantastic for all the players. Seeing the singles trophy up close again during the draw ceremony brought back great memories from 2016.”

While Hewett begins his 2019 season this week, Reid has already played two tournaments this season, the first of which brought his latest Super Series doubles title when he partnered Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez to win the Bendigo Open. He now turns his attention to attempting to win back-to-back Grand Slam doubles titles with Hewett as the two-time US Open and three-time Wimbledon champions reunite.

“Over the last few months I’ve played with a few different partners while Alfie had his break. So I’m looking forward to being back on the doubles court with him and aiming to win our first Aussie Open doubles title as a team,”

Hewett and Reid will play Houdet and Australian Ben Weekes in their semi-final.

Five-time Australian Open doubles champion Andy Lapthorne opens his bid for a first quad singles title at Melbourne Park against his doubles partner and world No.2 David Wagner of the USA. Lapthorne was runner-up to Wagner at last week’s ITF 1 Melbourne Open.

World No.3 and 2014 US Open quad singles champion Lapthorne, who was runner-up to Wagner at last week’s ITF 1 Melbourne Open, said:

“I feel like I’m playing OK right now and getting some good results and performances, so I’m looking forward to really trying to bring my best tennis to the singles court this year. It’s always a buzz coming back to Australia and knowing I’ve won lots of titles here and I’m looking to add to that this week. As far as David and I go in doubles, we are a good team and well prepared for our latest chance at another Grand Slam together.”

After facing Wagner, Lapthorne will also play Australians Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson in the four-ay round robin phase of the quad singles competition The top two players after the round-robin will go forward to Saturday’s quad singles final. Later this week Lapthorne and Wagner will also play Alcott and Davidson as the Anglo-American duo and reigning US Open champions attempt to win their fourth Australian Open quad doubles title in six years.

Of the four Brits competing in the wheelchair events at Melbourne Park this week world No. 7 Shuker has the most experience of the first Grand Slam of the year. Shuker will be playing her tenth Australian Open and faces a tough assignment in her opening women’s singles match on Wednesday when she takes on world No.1 Diede de Groot. She said:

“I’m extremely proud to have qualified for this Grand Slam for the tenth time. It’s a stat I can be proud of. I’ve had some great results and performances here over the years, being twice a singles semi-finalist and twice a doubles finalist. The Australian Open is definitely one of my favourite tournaments in the calendar, there is always a real buzz in Melbourne during the Slam.”

After contesting her latest Grand Slam doubles final at Wimbledon last July partnering Germany’s Sabine Ellerbrock, Shuker partners South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane this week. Shuker and Montjane will play Ellerbrock and Dutchwoman Marjolein Buis in their semi-final.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation