West of Scotland duo Martin Perry and Conor McAdam won Gold in the men’s class 6 team event at the Para Table Tennis Belgian Open in what was a an extremely successful international series for the British Para Table Tennis Team.
This was followed up by an individual Silver for Perry who was defeated by Paul Karabardak 1-3 in an all British Final.
For a full report please visit: http://www.bttad.org/four-golds-in-14-medal-haul-for-british-team-in-belgium/
The 26th-29th of October saw the first USA Para-Badminton International held in Colorado Springs where Scotland had three athletes participating across three sports classes.
Mary Wilson, representing the SL4 category, was doubly successful in the women’s SL3-SU5 singles category, securing a bronze after beating off two Japanese opponents in her group to reach the semi- finals. With SL3 and SL4 playing up a class, Mary, the only SL3/SL4 to reach the semi-finals, was also awarded a gold medal in the SL3/SL4 class for women’s singles.
Deirdre Nagle, representing SS6, medalled in both the women’s singles, beating the USA’s Colleen Gioffreda to the bronze medal, and securing a bronze in the mixed doubles partnering the USA’s Danh Trang.
Fiona Christie, representing WH2 in both women’s singles and doubles, had some extremely hard competition from Asia, with all matches being played against Koreans or Japanese. She had some close games and some tough losses.
For all results please see: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=4824B9C7-A38C-42B4-9A4B-7137964D57E7
Fraser Michie was also in action running the first Para-Badminton course in Cairo, Egypt for BWF with Spain’s Dina Abouzeid. The course ran for four days between 20th and 24th October, and saw them coaching and educating new athletes and coaches.
Kaity Hall was in Dubai running the second coaches’ workshop at the Dubai Club for Disabled between 23rd-25th October, with herself and Fraser Michie conducting the first course one year previously. She had over 25 new coaches from all over the UAE participating in the workshop. Dubai will be hosting their first Fazaa Para-Badminton International in April in which we hope to have Scottish Athletes competing.
Dubai Photo Credit: James Varghese
Disability Sport Fife (DSF) is delighted to report that inspirational athlete Susanne McGrath from Glenrothes has just completed her second wheelchair marathon of the year and for the first time in Dublin. To add to the celebrations Susanne completed the course in a personal best time of 3.35.
Along the way Susanne was cheered on by her Aunt Marie and her two friends. The “influential” banner they carried was the creation of family 
friend Geraldine Walsh from Dublin who ensured that all the arrangements for Susanne went smoothly on the day.
Susanne came to wheelchair racing late in her athletics career but has made amazing progress within a short period. Her father Eddie is never far away when she is training or competing and his support has been critical as her “enabler” and “fixer”. Eddie also completed the Dublin Marathon and has been encouraged and inspired by Susanne to follow her lead into distance running training and the occasional big event.
Susanne is a member of the DSF wheelchair racing squad that is coached by DSF lead athletics coach Pamela Robson. Recently the group was inspired by a visit to Fife from world champion Sammi Kinghorn and her coach Ian Mirfin MBE from Scottish Athletics.
Up until earlier this year Susanne trained in a racing wheelchair provided by Disability Sport Fife but that chair has now been returned to stock awaiting the next newcomer to the sport. Due to her own fundraising efforts, those of local fundraiser Neil Smart and a bursary from the Russell Hogg Trust, Susanne took possession earlier this year of her own bespoke Bromakin chair and she has not looked back since. Improvements in technique, higher levels of fitness and of course the new racing wheelchair have resulted in a finish to the season that she could only have dreamed of a couple of years ago. Well done Susanne an inspirational Fife athlete.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife
Curling for All at the Peak
Stirling Sports Village, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
For adults and youn gpeople witha range of disabilities. The cost is £3 for participants, one parent/carer/supporter friend joins in for free. Places are limited, booking is essential.
Wednesday 22nd November 2017, 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Wednesday 29th November 2017, 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Wednesday 6th December 2017, 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Open to people with physical, learning and sensory impairments, and autistic spectrum disorders. Traditional, stick or wheelchair curling available.
For more information and to book a place contact Helen Kallow, RCCC Disability Curling Development Officer, 0131 333 3003, helen@royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org.
Have you the desire to learn how to skate, gliding over the Ice like Torvill and Dean? Well, now you can!
Intu Braehead Ice Rink is introducing a new open Inclusive Skating session every Saturday morning from 10am to 11am.
It will cost £8.50 for an inclusive skater and carer, and skate hire is included in the price.
If you are interested in this exciting new venture, head along to Braehead Ice Rink this weekend, or contact Margarita Sweeney-Baird on margarita.msb@gmail.com for more information on inclusive Skating.
Conner Morrison and Toni Shaw beat off strong competition to take home the Disability Sports Achiever of the Year & Junior Disability Sports Achiever of the Year awards respectively at this year’s Aberdeen Sports Awards held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
The swimmers, who train and compete with the University of Aberdeen Performance Swimming Team, are working their way up the British Swimming World Class programme and have aspirations of making Team GB for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as well as joining Team Scotland in next year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.
Both Toni and Conner have worked exceptionally hard over the past few years and it certainly paid off when both athletes were selected for the GB Squad for this year’s World Para-Swimming Championships in Mexico.
Toni was shortlisted alongside Jack Caird, a wheelchair basketball player who was recently selected for the Scottish U15 Team, and Conner was shortlisted with Kerry Mathers, a RaceRunning athlete who recently took home bronze in the 100m RR3 final in the CPISRA RaceRunning World Championships held in Denmark.
Congratulations to all of our athletes who were nominated, shortlisted and award winners, and thank you to the Active Aberdeen Partnership who hosted the event.
The Scottish Para bowls team competed against England and Wales in the Home Nations tests series from the 27 – 29 October 2017. The format included B2/B3 Mixed Pair and B6/B7/B8 Open Triples, replicating that of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next year.
This was the final opportunity for the bowlers to put in a performance ahead of selections next month as competition for places are as fierce as they ever have been.
Although winning the competition was a goal for all players and coaches, it was deemed secondary to trialling player combinations and positions in order to inform our final selections. In this regard the competition was a huge success.
There were some excellent performances across the board, with the physically disabled triple only losing twice in eight matches. This highlighting the quality Scotland possess, with all six players competing well. The visually impaired players had a mixed competition, losing five from eight matches, however, there were some top performances throughout from all players and directors.
Although finishing runners up by a narrow margin wasn’t the result we were all looking for, the competition served a great purpose and was hugely beneficial. The individual and team performances has left all the coaches and selectors much to contemplate over the next few days as we draw closer to naming our Gold Coast 2018 team.
Scottish Disability Sport wishes to thanks all the players, directors and coaches for their hard work and dedication over the weekend.
Open Triples B6/B7/B8
Billy Allan
Mike Nicoll
Garry Brown
Martin Hunter
John Hughes
Michael Simpson
Mixed Pair B2/B3
Billy Edgar
Robert Barr
Maria Spencer
Irene Edgar
Directors
Christine Morrow
Ron McArthur
Grace Whitton
Sarah Jane Ewing
Coaches<
Bob Dick (Head Coach)
Bob Christie
Nigel Walker
Eric McMillan
Chris McGready
The Mixed Pair B2/B3, Directors and Open Triple B6/B7/B8 will be nominated to Commonwealth Games Scotland prior to the team being fully announced on the 30 November.
Name: Steven Key
Branch: Perth & Kinross Disability Sport
Sport: Bowls
Club: Inchture Bowling Club
How did you get involved in your sport? Initially through a fun charity day. But since disability through SDS and Inchture who have helped me so much.
How long have you been playing your sport for? About 9 years able bodied then 1 year in a wheelchair.
Biggest Strength (as an athlete): Commitment, determination and the love of the game.
What’s the best thing about your sport? Anyone can take part. Also it’s a team sport and the competitive spirit of individual games
What equipment do you need to take part in your sport? 4 Bowls. Oh and in my case a wheelchair
Greatest sporting achievement: Winning the 2017 Lawn Bowls National Championships in Aberdeen.
Favourite Para-athlete: Tough question, but I suppose Billy Allan for his commitment to the sport.
Favourite athlete to compete against: Anyone really.
Any advice for someone interested in your sport? Try it and you will love it. It’s not an old persons’ game as the myths say.
This is a fantastic opportunity for people with a visual impairment to try a variety of sports in a friendly and supportive environment.
The visual impairment sports day aims to provide an introduction to sport and engage participants in sport. RNIB, Haggeye, Guide Dogs Scotland and Visibility are supporting Scottish Disability Sport and governing body partners the Scottish Football Association, JudoScotland, Scottish Swimming and Scottish Athletics, Goalball UK and Blazing Saddles to provide a quality experience to participants on the day. This unique opportunity is funded by the BIG Lottery Fund.
Many people with a visual impairment are not aware of the opportunities available to them in their local area. 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.
Sports on offer throughout the day are: athletics, bowls, cycling, football, goalball, judo, swimming and tennis.
Date: Saturday 11th November, 2017
Venue: Scotstoun Leisure Centre, 122 Danes Drive, Glasgow, G14 9HD
Time: 10.30 am – 4.00 pm
Cost: FREE
If you have a visual impairment or know someone with a visual impairment that would like to get involved in sport and would like to attend please register by telephoning Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.
Please note that booking is essential for all participants. The full registration pack can be downloaded here.
For public transport information please see the SPT website at: www.spt.co.uk
New fun boccia sessions are beginning for all individuals with physical and learning disabilities. If you are looking to get more active and meet new friends, these sessions could be for you!
The sessions will take place at St Maurice’s High School, North Road, Cumbernauld G68 9AG from 5.00pm on Thursday 26th October.
For more information contact 01236 757657 ext 5256 or email mackayk@northlan.gov.uk / joergensenn@northlan.gov.uk.
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