Category: A News

04/10/2018

Central Parasport Festival – Deadline Extended

The deadline for the upcoming Central Parasport Festival 2018 has been extended to 15th October 2018.

Date: Tuesday 23rd October 2018

Time: 10.00am – 3pm (9:30am arrival and registration)

Venue: Grangemouth Sports Complex, FK3 9JB

This festival is targeting pupils within a mainstream school setting in the Central area, with a physical, visual or hearing disability aged between P1 – S6. The key outcome of the event is to provide a multisport opportunity to these pupils, identify talented individuals within specific sports, alongside channelling pupils onto local, regional clubs/ programmes. With a wide range of new sports on offer we would like to welcome back all pupils who have attended in the past, alongside engaging new pupils to attend for their first experience. We will also have performance athletes attend on the day for an inspiring Q and A session. Please see promotional video from East Parasport festival by clicking on the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzP4sztaDY.

Booking information

Please see and complete the Central Parasport Application form attached or online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/ScottishDisabilitySport/CentralScotlandParaSportFestival2018 with a closing date of Tuesday 2^nd October 2018 (forms requested to be returned directly to Cheryl Lappin – Central SDS RDM).

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:

Cheryl Lappin SDS Regional Development Manager for Central Scotland on cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577830360

Para Sport Festival 2018 – Event Information

02/10/2018

Grampian Para Shooter in Comeback at World Cup

After an incredibly rocky start where a podium finish was doubted, Aberdeenshire clay pigeon shooter, Allan Ritchie, performed an incredible turnaround to take home individual silver and team gold at the World Shooting Parasport World Cup.

The event, held in Chatearoux in France, saw Allan finish just one target behind Australia’s Scottie Brydon, who took the top spot in the PT1 class. Brydon’s overall score in the qualification and final rounds also saw him beat the World Record, previously set by Allan.

Allan is in the final leg of his mammoth 3,200 mile round trip for a series of world class events, which also included the British Shooting Grand Final in Wales, and the World Shooting Parasport Grand Prix, which he is currently attending in Lonato, Italy.

We’re all cheering for Allan and keeping our fingers crossed that he can get back on top and reclaim the World Record!

Good luck to Allan for the next few days of competition (and for his lengthy drive home), and thank you to the sponsors that are helping him reach his potential!

28/09/2018

Soft Archery Training Workshop Success in Central

Thursday 27^th September 2018 saw the success of the Soft Archery Training delivered in partnership with Scottish Archery, Falkirk Community Trust and Forth Valley Disability Sport. 11 keen and enthusiastic Central coaches, volunteers, clubs and Active Schools representatives attended the workshop held at Grangemough High School.

Participants were taught how to organise safe, enjoyable and purposeful Soft Archery sessions, and become the driving force behind setting up and running Soft Archery sessions within Central Scotland.

Key training outcomes included:

Identifying and teaching skills, setting up a Rapid Range, explaining safety rules, warms ups, guide to shooting , games and activities
Understanding how to set up and plan Soft Archery sessions, as well as gaining knowledge of how to use the equipment safely

To find out more information about coach education and disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact: Cheryl Lappin – cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360

Additionally please visit the Scottish Archery website for further sport specific information
http://scottisharchery.org.uk/

25/09/2018

Grampian’s Ritchie Crowned British Champion

A clay pigeon shooter from Aberdeenshire has been crowned British Shooting Grand Final Paratrap Champion 2018.

Allan Ritchie, from Whitehills, took on some of the strongest shooters in the country at the event in Fauxdegla, Wales to secure 1st place after finishing the last round with a score of 24. With Storm Bronagh in full force, it presented some extraordinarily challenging conditions, which the shooters took on with great determination & skill!

Going into the last day, there was a 4-way tie for the lead position. Congratulations to William MacLennan & George Glover who took home the Silver & Bronze medals.

Allan is in the midst of a grueling 3,200 mile round trip for a series of world class events, which also includes the World Shooting Parasport World Cup, taking place this week in Chateauroux in France, and the World Shooting Parasport Grand Prix, which will be held in Lonato, Italy.

Good luck to Allan with the remainder of his events (as well as the long drive), and thank you to the sponsors that are helping him reach his potential!

21/09/2018

Second Place for Scottish Goalballers

The inaugural Goalball UK ‘Home Nations’ tournament at York St John University was a great success with the four teams battling it out in a fiercely competitive but friendly atmosphere.

The opening game on Saturday afternoon, between England and Wales, was end to end action and set the tone for all the games to follow. David Lloyd had the accolade of scoring the 1st goal of the tournament (for Wales) but England were the eventual winners.

Next up, Northern Ireland made their competitive debut against Scotland. Anyone watching wouldn’t have known though as they played exceptionally well, only narrowly losing by 1 goal.

Scotland were then immediately back on court to face their ‘Auld Enemy’ – England. It was yet another great game with England triumphing.

The remaining games of the day resulted in both Northern Ireland and Scotland winning against Wales, whilst England beat Northern Ireland to maintain their 100% record.

Play resumed on Sunday morning after a Saturday night social when ‘Alternative Awards’ were presented – the categories included ‘Considering I’m sighted I’m not bad at this crazy VI sport’; ‘I got out of bed the earliest this morning’; and ‘Don’t tell anyone but really I’m English’!

Northern Ireland continued to play fantastically and, although they were unable to record a win, Wales were by no means outplayed in any of their games. Scotland, rather than tiring, got stronger as the tournament progressed, winning all 3 of their games and putting the pressure on England. In the final game, they cheered on their ‘Celtic cousins’ knowing that a win or draw for Northern Ireland against England would result in them being crowned Home Nations champions – but despite taking an early lead, it wasn’t to be, and England won.

The final table therefore had England and Scotland tied on 15 points but 1st place went to England because of their superior goal difference. So Scotland were 2nd whilst Northern Ireland finished 3rd and Wales 4th.

A massive thank you to everyone who was involved – players, coaches, officials, volunteers and Goalball UK staff – and to York St John University for hosting the tournament. We’re already starting to make plans for 2019!

Congratulations to the Scottish Team of:

Alan Lewis
Andrea Logan
Graeme Roache
Lorna Morisset
Mark Borthwick
Paul Cunningham

Results – Saturday 8th September:
England 7 – 4 Wales
Scotland 11 – 10 Northern Ireland
England 10 – 6 Scotland
Northern Ireland 7- 4 Wales
Scotland 10 – 9 Wales
England 8 – 4 Northern Ireland

Results – Sunday 9th September:
Scotland 7 – 4 Northern Ireland
England 8 – 5 Wales
Scotland 5 – 2 England
Wales 5 – 6 Northern Ireland
Scotland 7 – 3 Wales
England 5 – 3 Northern Ireland

If you or anyone you know has a visual impairment and would like to try goalball, contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

21/09/2018

Grampian Kids in Competitive Spirit at Norma Buist Gala

37 school-aged swimmers from across Aberdeen City & Shire with physical, sensory and learning disabilities were welcomed to Aberdeen Sports Village this week for the annual Norma Buist Gala.

Despite a lower number of entries for this year’s event, a number of newer swimmers were out in force & competition between the teams (and individual swimmers) was as exciting as ever with places in the SDS National Junior Swimming Championships at stake!

As well as the usual inspiring performances by experienced competitors Jason Cobb, Matthew Scott, Tegan Davidson, Rhys Gill, Murray Eunson & Lucy Thomas – all of whom took home medals and/or PB’s – a number of new & developing para swimmers wowed us with their performances including Skye Michie, Rebecca Thomson, Aidan and, Para Swimming newcomer, Layton Burr who certainly gave the older lads a run for their money!

The event was well-attended by teachers, parents and fellow pupils who were an amazing support to all of the competitors!

The event would not be possibly without the team of volunteers from Grampian Disability Sport, members of the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Active Schools teams, local club representatives & Scottish Disability Sport. An extra thank you to Marie Cheyne for her tireless efforts in producing & communicating the competition schedule, and for the post-event admin!

Well done to all & good luck to all of the swimmers selected for the National Junior Swimming Championships, which will be held in November!

21/09/2018

East Lothian Indoor Para Bowls Session

East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club (ELIBC) are re-starting their indoor bowls sessions for individuals with a physical, learning or visual / hearing impairment. The sessions are co-ordinated by East Lothian Bowls Development Co-ordinator Billy Mellors and supported by Lothian Disability Sport and have previously engaged and supported a number of individuals who are new to the sport.

The bi-weekly sessions will support individuals who are new to the sport, as well as experienced bowlers and offer the opportunity to try a range of adapted equipment including specialised bowling wheelchairs and adapted throwing devices. Dates of the sessions can be found below –

Sunday 14^th October (12 noon – 2pm)
Sunday 28^th October (12 noon – 2pm)

The sessions are delivered by trained coaches and provide an introduction to the sport in a friendly and welcoming environment – all ages and abilities are welcome. The sessions will also offer a more competitive element, providing a competition during each session for those who are interested. Each session costs £3 per session.

If you are interested in attending these sessions, please contact Billy Mellors on 0793 071 6073 or development@bowlseastlothian.uk.

20/09/2018

East Lothian RaceRunning Sessions

After a successful ‘come and try’ day in May, an opportunity has been developed to have regular RaceRunning sessions at Meadowmill Sports Centre on Monday 6-7pm.

For more information please contact Lynda Gillroy : lgilroy1@enjoyleisure.com

For more information on RaceRunning see: http://www.cpsport.org/sports/racerunning/

20/09/2018

Passionate about Inclusion through Sport

Growing up my main sport was swimming and I competed in Lothian galas and National events at the Ponds Forge in Sheffield, however my key achievement was competing for Scotland in the World Cerebral Palsy Games at the age of 15. The games were held in Connecticut, the squad secured many medals and it was the last World CP Games to run until 2015 when the event was reinstated.

I participated in wheelchair basketball and have been a regular attender at disability sports days in Lothian, initially as a participant and latterly as an SDS volunteer. At the ripe old age of 29 I am now a regular gym goer, I swim for fitness, I follow a huge range of sports but my passion is being a member of the Tartan Army and I have travelled to Slovakia, Malta and Portugal supporting the Scottish football team.

I graduated from Stirling University in 2012 with a degree in sport and media and since 2013 I have been working on reception at Westwoods, a private gym in Edinburgh. I still volunteer with SDS and sit on their Young Persons Sports Panel and am an active member of the Lothian Disability Sport committee.

The Young Persons Sports Panel was formed from an exchange programme with BlazeSports in America. BlazeSports promotes how sport can be used as a vehicle to inclusion and I was one of a group of six disabled athletes who spent 10 days witnessing this motto in action and were tasked with bringing ideas back to the UK.

I passionately believe in this principle and I know that sport has offered and continues to offer me inclusion whether in my job or in my free time at the gym or in the pool. However I am always on the lookout for evidence of implementation; we know that the Paralympic movement is strengthening every year, however where else do we see inclusion through sport?

Let me share my thoughts on the 2018 Football World Cup as for me it was about so much more than the ‘football’’; it was a great example of the power of sport to bring people across the world together and celebrate identities and transcend prejudices, politics and disability.

Prior to the tournament there was criticism of Russia and Qatar being chosen as host countries and there was a focus on possible corruption and political interference. However as soon as the tournament started, we witnessed the power of sport at work. Locals welcomed foreigners with open arms: there was celebration and respect for individual nationalities; Mexican sombreros, the Swedish Viking hats and the Moroccan fez hats. The streets and stadiums were awash with colour.

There were key moments picked up by the media such as: Senegalese players singing in unison during the warm up routine; Japanese supporters staying behind after the game and tidying the stadium before they left; and the wonderful image of the Mexican and Colombian supporters holding aloft a man in a wheelchair so he could see and actively support his country, Morocco, in the fan park.

The BBC and Sky Sports included sign language interpreters for some of the matches and there has been a big increase in signing coverage in an extensive effort by the GAA in Ireland to make the sport of Gaelic Football more inclusive for the deaf community.

I hope this is just the start of a more inclusive sporting society which is narrowing the margins between disabled and able bodied both within sport and wider society.