Category: A News

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Aberdeen Tea, Talk and Try

TEA, TALK & TRY!

Aberdeen Sports Village, Linksfield Road, Aberdeen AB24 5RU

GOGA supporting disabled and non-disabled people being active together: boccia, badminton, boxing, body mind wellbeing, squad, swimming and table tennis with tea and chat.

Wednesday 27th February 2019, 1.30pm – 4.30pm (squash 1.30-2.30 and swimming 4.00-4.30)

For more information and to register contact Kevin Mathew on kevin.mathew1@abdn.ac.uk or Shaun Powell on shaunpowellgogagrampian@gmail.com, or phone 07565 673 578.

 

Central Regional Swimming Squad – Sponsorship Success

SDS Central and Forth Valley Disability Sport are extremely excited to announce a new sponsorship collaboration within the Central region.

Regional representatives were kindly approached by Founding Director of Sheridan Property Consultants who stated that the company fully supported the impact the Central Regional Swimming Squad and GOGA for all Swimming Sessions were making to the swimmers within the region. In turn they approached partners to become the official sponsor for the projects for the 2019 – 2020 season.

SDS Central and Forth Valley Disability Sport would like to officially thank Sheridan Property Consultants for their very kind donation. The impact this funding will make will support and develop many disability swimmers within the Central region.

For more information on Sheridan Property Consultants please visit www.sheridanproperty.co.uk.

To find out more about disability sport in Central Scotland and how to get involved please contact: Cheryl Lappin (SDS RDM) at cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360.

Aberdeenshire Deaf Friendly Swimming Lessons

Live Life Aberdeenshire in partnership with The National Deaf Children’s Society are holding deaf-friendly swimming lessons for deaf children and young people in Aberdeenshire.

The activities are suitable for all abilities from complete beginners to confident swimmers.

Children will take part in fun activities and learn new skills, delivered by fully qualified swimming teachers trained by NDCS in deaf awareness.

When and Where Ellon  Community Pool, Kellie Pearl Way, Ellon AB41 8LF
Every Tuesday, starting 5th March 2019
Beginners at 6pm
Improvers/advanced at 6.30om
Cost £33 for 1st block of 16 lessons
£5.50 a month after 1st block
Who for Age 4+

Bookings: 01358 727 910 (Press 2 – Learn to Swim or Reece Ironside), reece.ironside@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Further info: Eleanor Connelly – swimming@ndcs.org.uk, 0141 354 7850

www.ndcs.org.uk/swimming

Success for Dons’ Deaf-Friendly Football Project

A football project to engage and improve health outcomes for deaf pupils in Aberdeen has been hailed a success.

Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust has been running GoFitba for the past 12 weeks with the Aberdeen School for the Deaf. GoFitba is a project funded by the Scottish Football Partnership.

The programme is aimed at primary school children and provides an hour of football activity followed by an hour of health and wellbeing workshops and a healthy meal.

Each organisation that receives funding for the project can choose which school they deliver in and AFCCT chose the Aberdeen School for the Deaf as there were no football sessions or after school clubs running for the 13 pupils who attend.

10 of the pupils decided to sign up and have attended for the past 12 weeks. The group has been to an AFC match, for some of whom it was their first, and will attend another on the 16th of February vs. St Mirren. They also tried new foods over the course of the programme from tuna and sweetcorn to salami.

The pupils also made a ‘Good Luck,’ video for Aberdeen when they reached the League Cup Final in November 2018. It was viewed over 7,500 times on twitter and over 4,000 times on Facebook. You can view the video at: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenFCCommunityTrust/videos/559882927784196/

Aberdeen FC Community Trust and Scottish Disability Sport is looking to further develop a relationship with the school, which has a growing need for after-school provision, after the amazing feedback received from pupils and staff.

If you, or someone you know, lives with a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment and would like to get more involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison Shaw (Regional Manager for Scottish Disability Sport) on 07828 744 848 or alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

By Ross McNeil and Alison Shaw

New Wheelchair Golf Opportunity in Tayside

Scottish Disability Sport are delighted to be working in partnership with Carnoustie Golf Links Ltd and Dundee Dragons to offer wheelchair golf at Carnoustie Golf Links.

Coaching sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7pm – 8pm for 10 weeks from Tuesday 23rd April to Tuesday 25th June and are open to wheelchair users aged 10 and over.

Led by Keir McNicoll, P.G.A. Senior Assistant Professional, you will receive tuition on grip, swing and shot techniques whilst using the state of the art golf simulators at the Carnoustie Links Performance Centre and playing on the five-hole course ‘The Nestie’.

There is no cost for these sessions and golf equipment can be provided.

Anyone interested should contact Keir to register – kmcnicoll@carnoustiegolflinks.co.uk

Visual Impairment Sports Day 2019

Scottish Disability Sport has partnered with the Celtic FC Foundation, RNIB, Haggeye, Guide Dogs ScotlandVisibility, 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:

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!

Scottish World Wheelchair Curling Championships Squad Announced

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

Tayside Senior Swimming Championships

Dundee City Disability Sport and Leisure & Culture Dundee are proud to organising the Tayside Senior Swimming Championships on Saturday 16th March at the Olympia in Dundee from 10am – 2pm.

This event is open to swimmers of all ages and is the qualifier for the SDS National Senior Swimming Championships, however only those eligible (over 16) will be selected for the national events:

  • SDS National Senior Swimming Championships – Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment – 13 April 2019 Grangemouth Complex.
  • SDS National Senior Swimming Championships – Learning Disability – 18 May 2019 Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow

Swimmers can enter up to 5 events as long as they only swim once in each stroke.

Please contact gordon.quinton@leisureandculturedundee.com for a Swimmer’s Registration Form. The closing date for entries is Friday 1st March.

Scottish Parliament Powerchair Football Debate

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/

Tayside Schools Sportshall Athletics 2019

Tayside Schools Sportshall Athletics Festival 2019 for pupils with a physical, sensory or learning disability

Perth & Kinross Disability Sport hosted this event on 31st January 2019 at the Academy of Sport & Wellbeing, Perth College UHI, in partnership with Perth Strathtay Harriers, Perth College UHI, Scottish Disability Sport, Dundee Leisure and Culture and AngusAlive Sport and Leisure.

130 pupils from schools across Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross made this event a huge success with fun and enjoyment top of the agenda for the entire day.

30 Perth College sports development students were on hand to help guide and support the pupils through each activity and their caring and encouraging approach made this a day to remember for all.

Sportshall Athletics is an indoor programme of adapted athletics activities which is fully inclusive. Events include Speed bounce, Javelin, Shuttle runs, Target throw, Standing Long Jump, Hi-stepper, Seated chest push and with additional relays at the end.

10 athletes from each Tayside region will be now be selected to attend the Scottish Disability Sport Sportshall Athletics Festival on 7th March 2019 at Grangemouth Sports Complex.

Please contact Graeme.doig@scottishdisabilitysport.com for more details.