Category: A News

Powerlifting at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

#TeamScot2018

In the lead-up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to provide an overview of the sports that Scottish Para athletes are competing in as part of Team Scotland. In the first of the series of sports, we highlight the sport of powerlifting and Micky Yule.

The ultimate test of power and strength, Powerlifting is all about how much an athlete can lift in the bench press related to their own bodyweight. It is open to all athletes with any impairment. The sport is adapted from non-disabled powerlifting, concentrating solely on the bench-press movement. The key aspect of the sport is simple, the person who lifts the most weight within their body weight category on the day of competition is deemed the winner.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will see Musselburgh’s Micky Yule compete in the S750 Men’s Heavyweight (over 72kg) class on Tuesday 10th April at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.

Micky Yule

Micky served in the Scots Royal Engineers, when in 2010 he was injured by an improvised explosive device. He had already competed with the army powerlifting team for three years and after a year out to recover from his injuries, he returned to training.

He was the first Scot to compete at a Commonwealth Games in powerlifting, finishing 4th at Glasgow 2014. He was also the first British athlete to win gold at the Invictus Games, taking titles in both 2014 and 2016. He holds the British bench press record at 195kg.

  • Represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 finishing in 4th place in the Men’s Heavyweight category.
  • Gold medal in the up to 80Kg weight class at the 2015 IPC Powerlifting European Championships in Eger, Hungary.
  • Gold medal in the Men’s Lightweight competition at the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida.
  • 6th place finish in the -65kg class at the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
  • 1st place finish in the Heavyweight class at the 2017 IPC British Championships.

Micky’s athlete profile can be viewed here.

For a schedule of powerlifting events at the Gold Coast Games, please follow the link: https://www.gc2018.com/sport/para-powerlifting

Scottish Disability Sport has produced a factsheet on powerlifting for people with a disability which can be downloaded here.

Tomorrow

Please return tomorrow for all the information relating to the sport of paratriathlon, with Scotland’s Karen Darke competing as part of Team Scotland at Gold Coast.

Para Bowls Squads Announced

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the recognised governing body for para bowls in Scotland and is tasked with selecting a national squad that is capable of delivering medals at the highest levels of international competition, including the Home Nations Championships, IBD World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.  Scotland is considered to be one of the leading nations within the sport and our intention is to build on this success.

The players selected will be in contention for the Home Nations Championships in Weston-super-Mare in June 2018, as our attention switches towards the 2020 IBD World Championships.

Of course everyone associated to para lawn bowls in Scotland will be watching the imminent Commonwealth Games with interest as we compete in both the B2/B3 Mixed Pair and B6/B7/B8 Open Triple.

Commenting on the team selection, SDS Performance Manager Gary Fraser said:

“It is an exciting time within the sport as the Commonwealth Games are fast approaching and we wish the players and coaches every success.  Looking forward, however, SDS is delighted to announce a strong field of players within our national programme which will begin focussing on the IBD World Championships in 2020.”

“We have several training sessions prior to the Home Nations Championships in June and we will be looking to take a very strong team to England.”

Scottish Para Lawn Bowls Squad
Players

Player Classification Town Local Authority
Eleanor Clark B1 Kirkcaldy Fife
Bennett Ward B1
Irene Edgar B2 Saltcoats North Ayrshire
Ian Graham B2 Dunfermline Fife
John Fox B2 Johnstone Renfrewshire
Mary Stevenson B3 Barrhead Renfrewshire
Melanie Inness B3 Balerno Edinburgh
Harry Harris B3 Larbert Falkirk
Maria Spencer B3 Dunfermline Fife
Robert Barr B3 Glasgow Glasgow
Billy Edgar B3 Saltcoats North Ayrshire
Sandy McIntosh* TBC
Billy Allan B6 Cowdenbeath Fife
Fraser Mathieson B6 St Ninians Stirling
Gary Clelland B6 Linlithgow West Lothian
George Guthrie B6 Glasgow Glasgow
Mike Nicoll B6 Jedburgh Scottish Borders
Ian Donaldson B6 Dumfries Dumfries & Galloway
Barbara McMillan B7 Cowdenbeath Fife
Derek Hartley B7 Tullibody Clackmannanshire
John Hughes B7 Stewarton East Ayrshire
John Wardrope B7 Ayr South Ayrshire
Martin Hunter B7 Burntisland Fife
Michael Simpson B7 Auchtermuchty Fife
Garry Brown B7 Kirkmuirhill South Lanarkshire
Rosemary Lenton B7 Dumfries Dumfries & Galloway
Daniel Porter* TBC Galashiels Scottish Borders
Stephen Key* TBC Perth Perth & Kinross
Brendan Handling B8 Stranraer Dumfries & Galloway
  • Selection subject to classification

Coaches

 Coach Town  Local Authority
Bob Dick (Head Coach) Cupar Fife
Chris McGready Grangemouth Falkirk
Eric McMillan Cowdenbeath Fife
Nigel Walker Dalgety Bay Fife
Bob Christie Brechin Angus
Sarah Jane Ewing Dunfermline Fife
Christine Morrow Dalmuir West Dunbartonshire
Doreen Strachan Glasgow Glasgow
David Thomas Ardrossan North Ayrshire
Grace Whitton Bothwell North Lanarkshire
Ron Anderson Blackford Perth & Kinross
Marday Vyapooree
George Miller Ardrossan North Ayrshire

Team Announced for the 2018 CPISRA World Games

Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to confirm that we have selected a team to represent Scotland at the CPISRA Word Games in Sant Cugat, Spain from the 6 – 12 August.

As a member of the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) Scottish Disability Sport has a longstanding tradition of competing in the event having been most recently represented in Nottingham in 2015.

The event is seen as an ideal opportunity for aspiring world class athletes, with Cerebral Palsy, to compete in a high performance multi-sport event.  This type of experience and exposure is essential on the athlete journey, prior to selection for more high profile competitions, such as the Paralympic or Commonwealth Games.

Scotland will be represented in the sports of athletics, boccia, swimming and table tennis.

Gary Fraser, SDS Performance Manager, said: “We have been working closely with our partner SGB’s to select a team of athletes that are on an upward trajectory within their sport and can use this event as a spring board for future success.  The team size is smaller than previous years, which makes selections even more challenging, but we are more than confident of Scottish success at the Games.”

Selected Athletes and Coaches

Athletes
Shelby Watson – Athletics
Ross Paterson – Athletics
Graham Condie – Athletics
Kirsty Soutar – Athletics
Abbie McNally – Athletics
Ewan Waite – Athletics
Nathan Blackie – Athletics
Lewis Clow – Athletics
Connaire McLindon – Athletics
Gavin Drysdale – Athletics
Sean McCann – Boccia
Reegan Stevenson – Boccia
Callum Glasgow – Boccia
Paul McCann – Boccia Ramp Assistant
Kyle Hughes – Swimming
Isaac Dunning – Swimming
Rhys Gill – Swimming
Erin Swann – Swimming
Conor McAdam – Table Tennis
Ryan Henry – Table Tennis

Coaches and Assistants
Charlie Forbes – Head Coach, Athletics
Pamela Robson – Head Coach, Athletics
John Kinder – Coach, Athletics
Andrinne Craig – Head Coach, Boccia
Jacqueline Stevenson – Personal Assistant, Boccia
Jane Gordon – Personal Assistant, Boccia
Jen Quinton – Head Coach, Swimming
Andrew Hemphill – Coach, Swimming
Samantha Davies – Personal Assistant, Athletics
Margaret Drysdale – Personal Assistant, Athletics
Euan McLaughlin – Head Coach, Table Tennis

Grampian’s Tea, Talk & Tri is a hit!

A relaxed triathlon event held in Grampian has been hailed a success!

Tea, Talk & Tri, a celebratory event marking the half way point of Grampian’s Get Out Get Active project, took place in Aberdeen Sports Village and was run by Grampian Disability Sport (GDS) in partnership with Triathlon Scotland.

The event saw approximately 15 participants of all ages, with and without disabilities, try out swimming, cycling and running or walking in an informal environment supported by the fantastic volunteers from GDS & Andy Redman from Triathlon Scotland. Participants were given the opportunity to enter any or all of the disciplines and were offered a range of distances to choose from.

The event focused on providing a no-pressure introduction to sport and physical activity through the flexible nature of the event & the provision of beverages throughout the day, and attracted families from right across Grampian. Bikes for people without disabilities were provided by Triathlon Scotland who benefitted from funding from Cashback for Clubs, and GDS’ fleet of adapted cycles (including tandem bikes, a trike & hand cycles) was brought in to meet the needs of those with disabilities.

Participants left with a thirst for more triathlon & this has been noted by GDS & Triathlon Scotland, who are keen to ensure that ongoing triathlon opportunities are available in the future.

If you, or anyone you know, lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is keen to get involved in Para Sport, please contact Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or on 07828 744 848

Grampian’s Orianne Takes Gold Despite Injury

Orianne Slater (2017 British Disability Junior Overall Champion, City of Aberdeen Gymnastics) claimed two medals in her first senior level competition despite being injured.

At the beginning of February, Orianne suffered a serious sprain to her ankle. She was unable to train for four weeks and unfortunately had to withdraw from the Scottish Masters which took place during the 2018 Scottish National Artistic Championships in Perth on February 25th.

Eventually, on March 2nd, Orianne went back to training. Although she had been selected to compete on all four apparatus, she and Lorna Presly (head coach at City of Aberdeen Gymnastics) decided to concentrate on Balance Beam and Uneven Bars for the British Masters. Her routines were adapted and, as a result, the difficulty rating was decreased.

The British Masters, part of the 2018 Gymnastics British Championships on 11th March in Liverpool, was Orianne’s first event at Senior level. She performed well (even adding an element that she hadn’t practiced for weeks to her Bar routine!) and won Gold on Bars (her 3rd British Uneven Bar Champion title in a row) and Bronze on Beam.

Lorna Presly (coach) said: “Fantastic result from Orianne Slater who was selected to take part at the British disability masters this weekend at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. After a disappointing start to  the year for Orianne,  having  to withdraw from the Scottish disabilities masters last month, due to an ankle injury, and to now come home with  gold on bars and bronze on beam.  What a great result! Now to work hard over the next few months, to gain new skills for the Scottish and British championships later on in the year.”

As well as City of Aberdeen Gymnastics club, Orianne’s parents especially wish to thank her coach, Lorna Presly, for her dedication and the Active Aberdeen Partnership for its renewed financial support!

If you, or anyone you know, lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is keen to get involved in Para Sport, please contact Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or on 07828 744 848

Ayrshire Sportsability Ball and Awards Night

Ayrshire Sportsability held their Annual Charity Ball on Saturday 17th March 2018 in The Princess Royal Suite, Ayr Racecourse.  The purpose of the ball is to raise awareness of Ayrshire Sportsability and also to raise money to fund the numerous festivals/events that run throughout the year.    Attendees of the Ball receive a fabulous 4-course meal, and the chance to dance the night away, all for a great cause!

The Charity Ball also hosts the Ayrshire Sportsability Awards which celebrates the success of Ayrshire athletes, coaches, volunteers, schools and clubs while bringing together everyone involved in Disability Sport in Ayrshire.

Winners are below:

Rory McKinna – Young Athlete of the Year

Jamie McCowan – Athlete of the Year

Bonnyton Thistle Flyers – Activity in the Community

John Keast – Disability Sports coach

Dalmilling Primary School – Most Active School

Nominations are put forward through schools, Active Schools, Sports Development and local clubs/organisations throughout the whole of Ayrshire so thanks to all those who took the time to nominate.  Congratulations to all winners and runners up, and keep up the good work.

If anyone is interested in knowing more about the ball, the awards, festivals or Ayrshire Sportsability in general then please contact admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk or alternatively their website www.ayrshiresportsability.org.uk

Bronze Medal on the Final Day in PyeongChang

#ScotsonParaGB

It seems to have come round far too quickly but today marked the final day of competition at the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in PyeongChang and the Games came to a conclusion just as they started, with Brett Wild on the slopes but this time it was for the Women’s VI Slalom event.

Alpine Skiing

It was to be a fantastic final race at the Games for Brett as guide to Millie Knight. The pair secured their third medal with a solid performance to win bronze, 1.59 seconds behind their teammates Menna Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Kehoe who took the gold.

After the race Brett commented;

“It was a really challenging run, the conditions were tough. We put down a good enough run for bronze. We went for it but there were a few mistakes in there.

“We had a gameplan, we wanted to go flat out and we did and we left nothing on the hill so I’m chuffed to bits with how Millie has skied this week, it’s amazing.

“We would have been lucky to leave with one medal and I would have been happy to leave with one medal so to leave with two silvers and a bronze is phenomenal.

“I think the week on the whole has been absolutely brilliant. It was a hard dip in the middle and it took a lot for the sport psychologist to get us back but we bounced back and proved that mental resilience one again.

“I’ll take a week out when I get back to recuperate but then I’ll be back in the gym. That’s the plan.”

With the action at PyeongChang over, ParalympicsGB can look back on what has been the most successful winter Games ever. Great Britain’s athletes will return home with a magnificent one gold, four silver and two bronze medals, one more than the six won at Sochi 2014.

Meenagh Looks Towards Beijing 2022

#ScotsonParaGB

Scott Meenagh was once again Scotland’s sole competitor in action om day eight of the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in PyeongChang.

Nordic Skiing

Scott Meenagh concluded his Paralympic Games with the men’s 7.5km cross-country where he recorded a time of 25:17.5 to finish in 14th place with South Korea’s Eui Hyn Sin taking taking gold, USA’s Daniel Cnossen silver and Ukraine’s Maksym Yarovyi bronze.

Scott has skied almost 60km this week as he became the first man for 20 years to represent Great Britain in Para Nordic skiing at a Paralympic Games.

Speaking about his Games experience, Scott said;

“The body is pretty bashed up but if I wasn’t feeling it now then I wouldn’t have given it 100 per cent,” said Meenagh. “I’m strapped up to the max but you need to be willing to put yourself in a dark place sometimes.

“It’s going to take me a while to come down from cloud nine. If you gave me a couple days of rest then I’d be wanting to do this all over again.

“I just love the drive in this environment, it’s just incredible and the spirit of it all made me quite emotional this morning just thinking about the bigger picture and how significant the Paralympics are.

“That really knocked into me this morning and I was really proud I could take to this stage and show some of my spirit and share some of my journey.

“I will continue to do this, I love doing this racing and it’s a pretty satisfying way to compete.”

And now that the curtain has fallen on time competing in South Korea, he has firmly fixed his focus on Beijing 2022 and a Paralympic medal.

“I’m going to endeavour over the next few years to make sure I am as close to the best guys as possible in every single race,” he added.

“Today was an honest account of how hard I can work, how fast I can ski and how much I can suffer so I’m really happy with that result.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t dare to dream and I am seeing what it takes to be at the top of this sport and I am inspired for life now and I am not going anywhere until I have given an absolute account of myself and I am on that podium.”

Tomorrow will see the conclusion of what has been a fabulous 2018 Winter Paralympic Games. However, before the curtain comes down in PyeongChang Glasgow’s Brett Wild will be back in action to guide Millie Knight in the Women’s VI Slalom event.

For an overview of Channel 4’s comprehensive coverage of the Games go to;

http://paralympics.channel4.com/news/2018-winter-paralympics-day-day-coverage-guide/

Event Number Six for Meenagh in PyeongChang

#ScotsonParaGB

Scotland had one member of the ParalympicsGB team in competition on day seven of the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in PyeongChang.

Nordic Skiing

The gruelling schedule continued for Scott Meenagh as he continues to learn and improve with every event at PyeongChang 2018.

In his penultimate race of competition Scott was in good form in the early stages of the Men’s Sitting 15km at the Alpensia Biathlon Centre.  He had clean shoots on his first two trips to the range and was placed in the top ten at the midpoint of the race.

Scott had to contend with windy conditions on the course which contributed to him picking up three penalties on his third prone stage and another two on his final shoot.

Those misses impacted on Scott’s final score and he crossed in a time of 58:58.1 to finish in 14th position. The gold medal was won by Germany’s Martin Fleig while USA’s Daniel Cnossen taking the silver and Canada’s Colin Cameron securing bronze.

After his race Scott said;

“You couldn’t slap the smile off my face today, I’m really happy. It was on after two shoots, I really thought I was in a strong position.

“It was great, I know what I’ve got wrong today and I’m going to go and work on it but I’m really happy with that.

“I’m extremely inspired and I feel that tomorrow if I hit it with the same intent and I can push a little bit harder then there is no reason why I can’t be up there.

“I feel like I skied really well and I was in a really nice place for the first couple of shoots. The third and fourth shoots caught me out a little.

“I can’t afford to not shoot well in this field because these guys are just incredible.”

“We’ve seen a glimpse of what can be today and it’s awesome,” added Meenagh. “That’s a sight of what can be possible.

“These Games have taught me lots of lessons but they have also shown me a glimpse of the level we can be at and if we get it right on the day. We are no worse than any of these guys out here.

“We know what we are here to do and we have a lot of work to do in the next four years but I’ve seen a lot of positives here.”

After five days of intense competition, Scott faces his final event tomorrow as he gets set to bring the curtain down on his first Paralympic Games in the men’s 7.5km cross-country.

For an overview of Channel 4’s comprehensive coverage of the Games go to;

http://paralympics.channel4.com/news/2018-winter-paralympics-day-day-coverage-guide/

GB Curlers Swept Away in PyeongChang

#ScotsonParaGB

Day five of the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games continued with two critical matches for Team Neilson and the GB wheelchair curlers against South Korea and China, whilst Millie Knight and Brett Wild Women’s VI Slalom has now been moved to Sunday.

Wheelchair Curling

The Great Britain rink of Aileen Neilson, Gregor Ewan, Robert McPherson, Hugh Nibloe and Angie Malone MBE went into today with their hopes of qualifying resting on two must win matches.

The first match of the day was against South Korea and although a valiant effort from GB, Neilson and her team were edged out 4-5.  The result meant that GB were relying on Norway losing to Slovakia if they were to have any chance of progressing.  The result didn’t go their way with Norway triumphing 7-6 in the end.

As a result Great Britain failed to reach the wheelchair curling semi-finals at the Winter Paralympics and their campaign ended with an emphatic 9-3 loss to China.  The all Scottish rink finished their Paralympic Games with a sixth place finish after winning only five from their 11 matches.

China play Canada and South Korea meet Norway in Friday’s semi-finals, with the medal matches on Saturday.

Great Britain Skip Neilson said:

“We came here with high hopes of getting a medal. Our first goal was getting to the play-offs and we’d have liked to have finished off with a win but we didn’t,”

“It’s really disappointing, we’ve worked so hard with so much support from people back home.

“It will take us a while to get over it and it’s a learning experience.”

The action continues tomorrow with Scott Meenagh taking on the 15km Biathlon.

For an overview of Channel 4’s comprehensive coverage of the Games go to;

http://paralympics.channel4.com/news/2018-winter-paralympics-day-day-coverage-guide/