The British Para Swimming International Meet took place at Tollcross International Swimming Pool from Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 April 2019.  The event is one of the most important on the calendar for our para swimmers and provided a qualification opportunity for the World Championships in London later this year. 

There were 32 Scottish athletes (29 based in Scotland, 3 Non-Residents who train in England) representing 21 clubs (18 Scottish & 3 English).   

The event saw three Scottish athletes post the qualification standards for the World Championships which will take place in London in September. 

• Stephen Clegg – S12 100m Butterfly 
• Toni Shaw – S9 100m Butterfly 
• Scott Quin – SB14 100m Breaststroke 

The Scottish swimmers were in fine form on home soil, and none more than Scott Quin (GBR/Warrender Baths Club), who set a World Record in his favoured 100m SB14 Breaststroke event, in the heats, with a time of 1:05.28.  Whilst he didn’t better that time in the final, he did secure gold in a time of 1:05.53.  

After the race, Quin stated: 

“I’m happy with the way I swam tonight. I’ll sit down later with Kostas (Kalitsis) and evaluate things. It was always going to be very hard to go what I went this morning which was a 65.2. The final was 65.5 and that’s the first time I’ve posted 65s twice long course. I wasn’t really expecting to go faster tonight. 

“I did feel more relaxed tonight, but I do want to go away and analyse a few things and see where I can control myself a bit better. But it’s still very consistent and I’m not going to criticise myself.  I’m also really happy I executed the things Kostas (coach) asked me to do. Normally my brain wonders a wee bit and I stray away from the race plan and Kostas has to pull me back from things I want to do. Overall it has been a very positive day and I feel I’ve nailed most of the target goals for this first part of the season.” 

Speaking about the World Para-Swimming World Championships in September, Quin finished by saying:

“I’m excited that the Worlds will be in London. The last major event there was London 2012 Paralympics and I just missed out on that.” 

Alison Peasgood picked up a gold medal at the Milan World Paratriathlon Series, in her first ever outing alongside paratriathlon guide, Nikki Bartlett.

A gruelling training schedule over the past couple of months has paid dividends as Peasgood posted one of her quickest runs.Having exited the water a few seconds clear of eventual PTVI silver medallist, Susanna Rodriguez, the 2016 World Champion continued to open the gap to finish over a minute clear of her Spanish rival.

For more information please see the British Triathlon website.

Derek Rae from Kirkcaldy and Fife Athletic Club has won silver in the T45/46 class at the IPC World Marathon Championships held as part of the 219 Virgin Money London Marathon.

As well as winning a World Championships silver medal, Derek has recorded a massive PB and run significantly under 2.30 for the first time.

Last year in London Derek ran 2:36:13 and before today had a personal best time of 2:33:24. This morning Derek ran an unbelievable 2:27:28 for a personal best performance by over 6 minutes.

Appropriate reward for an intense period of winter training under the guidance of Fife AC coach Ron Morrison and the team at the Scottish Institute of Sport.

For the record Derek’s race was won by Michael Roeger from Australia in 2:22:51. Third place went to Abdelhadi El Harti from Morocco. Brilliant performance Derek.

Richard Brickley MBE – Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

The Scottish National Cerebral Palsy Football team are currently preparing to compete travel in the 14^th International Trophy CP Football Ciutat de Barcelona organised by the Catalan Sports Federation of Cerebral Palsy (FECPC).

Scotland will face experienced international teams in Barcelona with Northern Ireland and Italy due to compete along with teams from Catalonia and CP United. The competition will run from the 6^th – 9^th June with matches being played at the CEM El Clot de la Mel.

Scotland have selected an exciting blend of experience and youth for Barcelona with the following players being named in the squad;

Chris Moore, Stirling
Scott Martin, London
Jamie Mitchell, Livingston
Lewis McIntyre, Johnstone
Blair Glynn, Tranent
Johnathan Paterson, Motherwell
Stephen Young, Dunfermline
Ross Russell, Glasgow
Matthew Wynn, Eaglesham
Martin Hickman, Glasgow
Cameron Pollock, Lanark
Mark Robertson, Roslin
Sean Millership, Epson

Head Coach Greig Taylor, will once again lead the team to Barcelona.

Our sincere thanks go to the Scottish FA, NorDan UK Ltd, The Blue Eyes Sports Foundation, The Hot Tub Super Centre and Fresh Interior Solutions for their generous support of the Scottish National Cerebral Palsy Football team.

GB Para athlete Derek Rae was back in action as a peer mentor volunteer in the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre this week. The occasion was the Wednesday inclusive weekly run, jump and throws session led by DSF athletics coach Pamela Robson. The session is supported by Spirit of 2012 through GOGA investment in Fife.

Derek is heading off to London this weekend for the WPA Marathon Championships which will be held during the Virgin Money London Marathon 2019. As a very committed GOGA in Fife peer mentor volunteer, Derek still found time to support Fife’s emerging young athletes with additional support needs during his most enjoyable hour of his very busy week. As the photo clearly indicates the young learners fully appreciate his time and expertise.

Good luck to all the Great Britain athletes and in particular Derek from Kirkcaldy and Fife Athletic Club. Derek is coached by Ron Morrison at Fife AC and has an amazing team behind him at the Scottish Institute of Sport.

The list of GB representatives is as follows:

• Simon Lawson – T53/54
• Derek Rae – T46/47
• Johnboy Smith – T53/54
• David Weir – T53/54
• Charlotte Ellis – T12

Richard Brickley MBE – Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

Scottish Hockey is inviting clubs across the country to an information workshop on how to broaden access to the game to include people with disabilities.

The national governing body is hosting a gathering on April 16 at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre to launch Flyerz Hockey in Scotland, with a number of clubs having already registered their interest. The hour-long session beginning at 6.30pm will focus on the fundamentals of getting started, and include the opportunity to try out specialised equipment.

Flyerz Hockey is the name widely associated with disability inclusive hockey across the UK. It utilises traditional and adapted equipment during regular club sessions at local volunteer-led community clubs.

Flyerz got started in the UK in 2011 at Waltham Forest Hockey Club in London and has grown significantly since then. It is backed by Access Sport – the legacy fund from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London – which is also supporting the roll-out of Flyerz in Scotland.

Katie Brown, Regional Development Manager in the West of Scotland for Scottish Hockey, said the programme will include those with learning or physical disabilities. The focus is on having fun, learning new skills, making friends and promoting the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.

“Research has shown that those with disabilities are twice as likely to be inactive as those without disabilities,” Brown said. “In addition, seven out of 10 disabled people surveyed said they would like to be more active.

“So there are the obvious fitness and physical benefits, but also there is the social element. A lot of disabled people feel isolated from their community, so this is a way to engage and make new connections.”

The launch of Flyerz forms part of Scottish Hockey’s wider strategic plan covering 2019-2023. As an organisation, Scottish Hockey is committed to ensuring that everyone can access the game.

Although the programme is in its infancy, it has already signed up its first pilot club. Western Wildcats – Scotland’s oldest existing hockey club – will hold its first session between 2-3pm on Sunday April 28.

Brown said Flyerz stays as close as possible to the traditional format of the game, with variations on equipment or setup introduced only when necessary. Flyerz participants will be an integrated part of their club receiving the same experiences, such as kit and club days, as other players.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Flyerz Hockey in Scotland should contact katie.brown@scottish-hockey.org.uk.