Category: A News

East Swimmers Break Records at Short Course Champs

Stephen Clegg and Scott Quin both broke three records each at the weekend’s Scottish Short Course Championships held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh (7th – 9th January 2018).

Clegg, representing Sunderland ASC, was in sparkling form over the three days of competition and claimed two World Records (S12 50m Backstroke and S12 50m Butterfly) and one British best (S12 50m Freestyle). A former Lothian Racers and East Lothian Swim team athlete, Clegg has been with Sunderland ASC for around 12 months since his move down south and seems to be reaping the rewards, recording personal bests over several events. Clegg, who has a visual impairment, will now be turning his attention to the trials for the IPC World Championships in 2019.

Midlothian swimmer Scott Quin continued his tremendous form, claiming World Records in the SB14 100m and SB14 200m Breaststroke and one Scottish record in the SB14 50m Breaststroke. This supplemented his World Record at last weekend’s National Para Swimming Championships in Manchester – the former Lothian Racers man recording a WR in SB14 100m Breaststroke (long course). Like Clegg, Quin will now be focusing his efforts towards the trials in April for the IPC World Championships and seems to be happy with his current form and the work that is being done in the pool under coach Kostas Kalitsis at Warrender Baths Club.

Results and times for Clegg and Quin can be found below –

Stephen Clegg
S12 50m freestyle
BRITISH RECORD S12 50m Freestyle – 24.37 (Friday 7th December)
WORLD RECORD S12 50m Backstroke – 27.28 (Saturday 8th December)
WORLD RECORD S12 50m Butterly – 25.30 (Sunday 9th December)

Scott Quin
SCOTTISH RECORD SB14 50m Breaststroke – 29.89 (Friday 7th December)
WORLD RECORD SB14 100m breaststroke – 1:04.67 (Saturday 8th December)
WORLD RECORD SB14 200m breaststroke – 2:19.66 (Sunday 9th December)

Scottish Boccia Squad Announced

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the recognised governing body for the sport of boccia in Scotland and is tasked with selecting a national squad that is capable of delivering medals at domestic and international competition.

We are also responsible for progressing the best Scottish talent to a UK Boccia World Class Programme where players represent Great Britain at European, World and Paralympic level.

Scotland has a rich history in the sport, and we have produced no less than 10 players (and three ramp assistants) who have progressed to a Great Britain programme over the past two Paralympic cycles.

The players selected will be focussed on the 2019 events calendar via both SDS and Boccia UK, as we head into another busy year for the sport. In February, we will host a joint development camp with players joining us from Northern Ireland and Wales. Furthermore, SDS will be again delivering the very successful Scottish International individual, team and pairs competition in October.

Commenting on the team selection, SDS Performance Manager Gary Fraser said: “It is an exciting time within the sport as the programme within Scotland and the UK continues to develop. We have selected a small squad with lots of quality, and we are excited about the potential for some of the players progressing through clubs and regional squads. We are lucky to have a group of skilled coaches, who will be working to improve player performances ahead of the Scottish nationals in May.”

Scottish Boccia Squad

Name

Classification

Local Authority

Reegan Stevenson

BC1

Glasgow

Hannah Craig

BC3

Dundee

Sean McCann

BC3

East Lothian

Jamie McCowan

BC3

South Ayrshire

Scott McCowan

BC3

South Ayrshire

Patrick Wilson

BC3

City of Edinburgh

Peter McGuire

BC4

South Lanarkshire

Stephen McGuire

BC4

South Lanarkshire

Ross Munro

BC4

Glasgow

Kieran Steer

BC4

Fife

Carole Craig

Ramp Assistant

Dundee

Paul McCann

Ramp Assistant

East Lothian

Gary McCowan

Ramp Assistant

South Ayrshire

Linda McCowan

Ramp Assistant

South Ayrshire

William Wilson

Ramp Assistant

City of Edinburgh


Coaches

Name

Role

Local Authority

Claire Morrison

Coach Mentor

Fife

Andrinne Craig

Head Coach

Aberdeenshire

Jennifer Barsby

Head Coach

Stirling

Lewis McConnell

Assistant Coach

East Renfrewshire

Grampian Boccia Festivals Enjoy Record Attendance

Grampian’s School Boccia Festivals experienced a surge in participation this month thanks to a drive from the region’s Active Schools Teams.

More than 100 pupils with additional support needs and physical, sensory and learning disabilities from primary and secondary schools across Aberdeen City and Shire took part in three Festivals, held in Aberdeen City, North Aberdeenshire & Central Aberdeenshire. It’s the first time that the entry levels have warranted the need for multiple Festivals to take place simultaneously and follows a successful summer term where Scottish Disability Sport staff and volunteers engaged hundreds of Grampian pupils in the sport through the delivery of Boccia Bonanza sessions within a number of mainstream schools.

This month’s Festivals are part of a series, which runs throughout the school year, and the next round is planned for March 2019. The top teams will then go through to the Final, which will take place on Wednesday 8th May.
It is hoped that the increase in Festival participation will lead to the development of new regular boccia sessions in more locations, and a new session is set to be launched in Peterhead in the near future.

Well done to all of the teams who entered and competed, and thank you to all of the Active Schools staff, Grampian Disability Sport volunteers and school staff who made the day possible. A special mention to national boccia squad player, Hannah Craig, who made a guest appearance at the Aberdeenshire Central Festival. Hannah really inspired the youngsters and got stuck in with the officiating!

If you or anyone you know lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is interested in getting involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.

Junior Learning Disability Swimming Championships 2018

SDS Junior Swim Championships for swimmers with a learning disability, 21.11.2018, Tollcross ISC.

Records tumbled at the 41st Junior SDS Swim Championships. This event traditionally concludes the SDS annual calendar of events and provides a fantastic platform for celebrating the youngsters involved in swimming in schools, clubs and sessions around SDS branches and regions.

It is incredible to see the continual advancement of swimmers who have been attending these championships for years. One such swimmer, Louis Lawlor had a day to remember as he secured no fewer than 4 Championship Records (CR) in the 100m free and the 50m Back, 50m Breast & 50m Fly events. This event has witnessed some compelling rivalries through the years and West of Scotland’s Lawlor versus Tayside’s Jack Milne was every bit as riveting as anything we had seen before. These two swimmers are swimming faster than any other S14 junior has done at these championships and when that roster includes Scott Quin, Craig Rodgie and Conner Morrison then you know it’s fast! Whilst Jack had to settle for second place in 4 out of 5 events, he did hang on to one CR in the 100m IM and secured his one gold medal of the day. Grampian’s Matthew Scott was in hot pursuit and completed the podium positions in all events. Louis, of course, won the title of Best Male Swimmer at the 2018 Championships ahead of Jack, 2017’s winner.

On the female side Highland’s Tammy Neef swept the board with the full complement of wins. She currently shares the CRs with Perth’s Reagan Doig but was not able to claim any more as she swam just outside these tines today. Nonetheless, it was more than enough to take the title of Best Female Swimmer. Tayside’s Taylor McKenzie and Grampian’s Lucy Thomas also had an excellent Championships and had several podium appearances.

This event attracts upwards of 300 swimmers consistently and provides a fitting end to the competition calendar for SDS. SDS are hugely grateful to all swimmers, coaches, parents and Team Managers for their efforts in getting to these Championships. It is a full day in a warm pool, however, is a real celebration of the depth of swimming talent throughout the country. Continuing to attract swimmers into the competition structure locally is of paramount importance to strengthen the competition structure and pathway to these national competitions to ensure the sport continues in rude health.

Congratulations to all competitors for their efforts and well done to those who travelled back to their respective areas with medals. SDS look forward to seeing everyone in 2019 at the next Championships.

Para Athletes Show Plenty of Promise

Scottish Para athletes have been making their mark at global level in recent years – and that was reflected in six inclusions on the British Athletics World Class Programme for the next 12 months.

Now there is further confirmation that the future is bright in terms of the next generation of athletes hoping to follow the likes of Stef Reid and Libby Clegg by competing at the top level.

Two Scots have been named on the Paralympic Futures Academy list issued by British Athletics on Tuesday which featured an overall 24 names.

Sprinter Ross Paterson, who competed at the WPA Europeans in Berlin last summer, was included alongside Fife AC endurance athlete Owen Miller.

With a further 11 athletes named on a Paralympics Development list there are now no fewer than 19 Scottish Para athletes overall accessing British Athletics programmes at various levels and being identified as having the ability to win medals or having good potential in future years.

‘It’s very encouraging to have our best ever Para representation on British Athletics programmes in terms of numbers – with 19 in total,’ said Ian Mirfin MBE,  the scottishathletics National Lead Paralympic Sport.

‘The challenge going forward is to convert some of these places into more athletes on the World Class Programme and ultimately more global medals.

‘The fact that most of the athletes on the programmes underneath WCP are  under the age of 23 is significant as the age profile of the athletes we have on WCP is higher and we would hope to see some of the athletes recognised by these programmes take a step-up to be our future stars of Para athletics.

‘Congratulations to everyone who has worked to get our athletes on to these programmes; not least the coaches and clubs but also friends and family who play a significant role in supporting athlete development.’

Scots on the Paralympics Futures Academy:

Ross Paterson (John Kinder) Red Star AC 400 T38

Owen Miller (Steve Doig) Fife AC 1500 T20

Scots on the Paralympics Development Academy:

Hannah Dines, Gavin Drysdale, Kayleigh Haggo (Janice Eaglesham) Red Star AC 100 RR

Alexander Thomson (Thomas Graham) Whitemoss AC 100 T/F20

Abbie McNally (Charlie Forbes) Inverness Harriers LJ T/F20

Kirsty Soutar (Bill Condie) Red Star AC Club F32

Nathan Blackie (Martin Cook) Poole AC 100-800 T34

Sean Frame, Luke Deighan, Kyle Brotherton (Ian Mirfin) Red Star AC 100-Mar T54

Steven Bryce (Tommy Boyle) VP-Glasgow 1500 T/F20

 

No Limits Andrew Slack Memorial Boccia Competition

Bathgate Academy in West Lothian played host to the annual No Limits Multi Sport Club Boccia Competition on Saturday 17th November, welcoming 67 players from across Scotland and the North of England.

The competition, named in memory of the former No Limits member Andrew Slack, is delivered by a band of dedicated club volunteers including event organiser Elaine McCallum and offers the last competition of the year in Scotland.

The competition was played in great spirits throughout, highlighted through the friendly yet competitive nature of the games.  The competition was split into numerous sections, aiming to provide the best experience for all participants while maintaining fair competition throughout.  The event offered players with a learning and physical impairment the opportunity to play against their peers from clubs across the country, including Right on Target (Forth Valley), Lothian Special Olympics, Dumfries & Galloway Disability Sport, Borders Boccia Club and of course No Limits Boccia Club.

The club also attracted several established and developing players with Scotland squad member, Callum Glasgow narrowly losing out to emerging Fife talent Tyler Mclelland in the Physical Disability section.

To find out more about boccia across the East of Scotland, please contact Regional Manager Neal Herbert on 0131 625 4414 or neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Please find the winners and runners up from each section below –

Players with a Physical Disability
1st Tyler McLelland (Fife)
2nd Callum Glasgow (Forth Valley)
3rd Fiona Muirhead (West of Scotland)

Players with a Learning Disability –

Female Section
1st Phillipa Robertson (Lothian)
2nd Kim Burnett (Lothian)
3rd Lindsay Aitken (Lothian)
3rd Helen McAllister (Dumfries & Galloway)

Male Section
1st Darren Rooney (Forth Valley)
2nd Daniel Strang (Lothian)
3rd Michael Gillooly (West of Scotland)
3rd Christian Mason (Dumfries & Galloway)

Beginner
1st Ryan Flynn (Forth Valley)
2nd Millie Smith (Forth Valley)
3rd Scott McIntyre (Forth Valley)
3rd Eleanor Little (Dumfries & Galloway)

East Athlete Selected for Inaugural Powerchair Football Squad

Lothian Wolves powerchair football player Chris Jacquin has been selected for the first ever Scotland squad in powerchair football. Thirteen players have been called up to the national squad to face Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club (PFC) at sportscotland’s Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre in Largs on Saturday 15th December (3pm kick off). The day will commence at 12pm with some development games culminating in the main fixture.

The rise to the top of the game in Scotland has been rapid for Edinburgh based player Jacquin, having only began playing the sport regularly in November 2016 and selection is testament to the ambition, hard work and talent he has displayed during that time.

Jacquin was instrumental is setting up Edinburgh based side Lothian Wolves and has been a pivotal part of the team during matchdays and training sessions. Lothian Wolves, the East of Scotland’s only powerchair football team was established by Lothian Disability Sport (LDS) in 2016 and has been developed by a team of dedicated players and volunteers.

PowerChair football is a unique sport that provides opportunities for people with a high level of impairment to access the game of football. The game is for anyone who uses a powered wheelchair or those who have limited movement in a manual wheelchair. The sport is fast-paced and dynamic and allows all ages, disabilities and both genders to compete alongside together.

For more information surrounding powerchair football and local opportunities relating to the sport, please visit the Scottish PowerChair Football Association website – https://thespfa.org/

National Award for Grampian’s Toni

Up-and-coming Grampian para swimming sensation, Toni Shaw, ended an incredible week on a high after scooping up a national award.

Toni, an S9 para swimmer from Aberdeen, took home the ‘Emerging Athlete of the Year: Para Swimming’ title at the 2018 British Swimming Awards.

It follows an incredible season where Toni was selected as the youngest member of Team Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Games, and where she won 6 medals at the World Para Swimming European Championships in Dublin.

Additionally, at the start of the week, Toni was confirmed as an Ambassador for Scottish Swimming’s Learn to Swim Framework. Later in the week, her coach, Gregor McMillan, earned the ‘Disability Coach of the Year’ award at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards.

It’s been an exciting week for para swimming in Grampian! Congratulations to Toni and Gregor!

If you or anyone you know lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is interested in getting involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.

HRH Princess Anne Chairs 49th RDA AGM

The 49th RDA AGM took place in Glasgow under the Chairmanship of the charity’s President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Held within the splendour of Trades Hall, Glasgow, the AGM brought together delegates from RDA groups all over the UK – many of whom enjoyed a traditional Scottish welcome at the previous evening’s Ceilidh.

In her President’s address, The Princess acknowledged that next year’s 50th anniversary would be the time for reflections, but she took time to recognise the experience and expertise within the RDA family, made up of many years dedicated service by RDA’s volunteers and coaches.

Delegates were treated to talks from RDA riders Max Stainton, who recently became the first person with Cerebral Palsy to trek to Everest Basecamp on a horse, and Anne Brown, whose dedication to RDA extends to having the charity moto tattooed on her behind!

The AGM also offered the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of outgoing RDA Chairman, Sam Orde, whose time in office officially ends in April 2019. Sam was presented with an Honorary Life Vice Presidency by The Princess Royal, who thanked her for the nine years she has given to the role.

The lively programme also included a welcome from The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Eva Bolander and presentations from Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of Sport Scotland, Occupational Therapist Rhona Harkness and Hazel Johnstone of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Director of Operations for RDA UK, Claire Milican presented her ‘Top of the Ops’ – a run down of the top ten innovations, improvements and activities delivered by the operations team at RDA National Office during this year.

Communications Manager, Caroline Ward, offered a taster of the proposed celebrations for RDA’s 50th anniversary throughout 2019.

“Thank you to our regional team in West & Central Scotland for hosting this year’s AGM,” said RDA Chief Executive Ed Bracher. “I am also grateful to Her Royal Highness, not just for chairing the business of the day, but for taking the time to meet so many of our participants and volunteers during her visit. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our 50th AGM next year!”

Awards

  • Honorary Life Vice Presidents – RDA UK Chairman Sam Orde and Deputy Chairman Sheila Saner
  • President’s Award – Patricia Wilding of Clytha RDA
  • Dudley Smith Award – Joan Jack and Alison Mackintosh – Brae RDA
  • Loriners Education Award – Moray RDA
  • Birt Spooner Cup – Max Stainton

Double Win for Grampian Para Trap Shooter

A para trap shooter from Aberdeenshire is celebrating after claiming two titles at this year’s British Shooting Awards.

Grampian athlete Allan Ritchie from Whitecairns was delighted and surprised to be awarded ‘Major International Medalist’ and ‘Para Trap Shooter of the Year 2018’ at the ceremony on 9th November at Bisham Abbey.

The awards follow Allan’s incredible autumn of competitions where, within the space of three weeks, he was crowned British Champion in Wales before driving through France and Italy to compete in the the WSPS World Cup and the WSPS World Championships where he took home a team gold medal. In the year 2017 – 2018, Allan also held Scottish, British, European and World Records, which is an incredible achievement.

Well done to Allan and all his supporters.

If you or anyone you know lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is interested in getting involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.