Category: A News

Headwell BC – Another Inclusive Bowls Setting in Fife

Disability Sport Fife identifies bowls as one of the most inclusive sports in the Kingdom and there are many examples of success stories. Community bowling clubs throughout Fife embrace DSF members with such enthusiasm and help them on their way along the well established bowls pathway that has been in existence in Fife for many years.

The Beveridge Park BC and East Fife Indoor BC have played a significant role in supporting the DSF competition programme for over three decades. Top Fife bowlers Gary Handyside and Sam Smeaton are members of Lumphinnans BC and club members are supportive of a novice group from West Fife CSS who practice there weekly. Scottish Champion Wendy Thomson from East Fife CSS is a member of St Andrews BC and since joining she has improved immensely. The link between East Fife CSS and Windygates BC has led to an increase in the number of players with additional support needs playing the game. Fair Isle BC is the home club for several of Fife’s leading visually impaired bowlers and within less than a year of the Dovecot BC development being set up, newcomer Robert Anderson has rocketed to number four in the Fife rankings. Abbeyview BC has a well established reputation in disability bowls development and Strathmiglo BC, Burntisland BC, Cowdenbeath BC and Kinghorn BC have in membership some of the nation’s top para bowlers. Several other clubs are keen to play their part and Fife should be fiercely proud of all that it is doing to promote inclusive bowls across the Kingdom.

In the mid 70s enthusiastic Fife bowler Alex McLean from Kirkcaldy was the first person in Fife to highlight to Disability Sport Fife the possibilities in bowls for players with additional support needs. At the time Alex was the manager of Rosyth ATC. Alex and some of his bowls colleagues from the Kirkcaldy area helped DSF to organise the first Fife Lawn Bowls Championships at Lynebank Hospital in 1976. A few years later the event moved to the Beveridge Park BC where the Championships have remained to this day. At the same time Alex forged links with Headwell BC and several top bowlers soon emerged. The most exceptional has been Pamela Mitchell from Dunfermline who is the current Fife and Scottish Ladies Indoor Champion in the section for players with a learning disability.

Within the past few weeks Headwell BC, West Fife Community Support Services and DSF have come together to deliver quality coaching for novice learners at Headwell BC. A new coaching session has been established, led by club member Chris Osborne, and plans are already in place to consider footwear and equipment purchases. The enthusiastic learners are enjoying their new sport in the welcoming environment of the Headwell Club. There is undoubtedly potential within the group and maybe the 2018 Fife Indoor Championships at the East Fife indoor Club will include a contingent from West Fife CSS/Headwell BC to support Pamela Mitchell. Well done to the committee members at the Headwell Club and club member Chris Osborne in particular for being inclusive in thinking and practice.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Young Fife Boccia Player Continues to Progress

Tyler McLelland from Glenrothes is a relative newcomer to the Paralympic sport of boccia but improves with every competition. Tyler trains at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre and is part of the Disability Sport Fife Youth Squad.

Tyler’s mum Emma is his current coach and with her guidance and early input from Paralympian Kieran Steer plus support from Claire Morrison from GB Boccia, the young BC4 player is making steady progress. Emma successfully completed her Boccia Leadership award this year and later in the year she embarks on her UKCC Level 1 Boccia with support from Scottish Disability Sport and sportscotland. They are a formidable pairing. Tyler is also well supported by Dad Mark and brother Jack.

DSF is trying to build a competition boccia squad around Tyler in the same way as the successful athletics initiative around wheelchair racer Callum Sloan has led to a registration of over 20 junior athletes with physical or sensory impairments. Thanks to financial support from the Order of St John in Fife Tyler has taken possession of a new set of competition boccia balls, purchased in Spain and secured by Claire Morrison from Dalgety Bay on behalf of Tyler. He cannot wait to meet up with Order Members to show them his new boccia balls in action.

Disability Sport Fife is as always pleased to be associated with the long running Discovery Games. Tyler picked up another top three finish in a mixed class competition but most importantly he gained valuable competitive boccia experience.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Bronze for Mary at Japan International

Japan hosted its first ever Para-Badminton event last week, bringing in the strongest competitors to an international event yet.

Scotland had three athletes competing in the event with SL3 players Colin Leslie and Alan Oliver as well as SL4 player Mary Wilson.

In the singles events, Colin and Mary came through their groups to the knock-out stages of the events, Colin losing out in the last 16 in a three-set battle to one of the Japanese home favourites and Mary losing in the quarter finals to German 1st seed.

In doubles events, all three of our competitors were with different partners and in the strongest tournament to date the boys were unlucky to reach the knock-out stages.

Mary secured a bronze with Chinese partner Hefang Cheng after coming through their group in second place. They went on to beat the Japanese second seeds in the quarter finals with an astonishing three-set win: 21-16 16-21 27-25. In the semi-final, they were edged out by 1st seeds from Germany and Norway – 20-22 21-17 21-19 – in another close battle.

In the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles event all three competitors lost out in some very close and tough matches in their groups with none coming through to the knock-out stages.

Our players were also treated to the Yonex Legends Vision tour, where they were treated to an on-court demonstration and games with Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Peter Gade, Lee Yong Dae and Taufik Hidayat. Mary, after her success in the doubles, was given the opportunity to play some mixed doubles with Taufik Hidayat and the Danish pairing of Peter Gade and SU5 player Cathrine Rosengren.

With the announcement of the classifications for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games being made last week, the standard of Para-Badminton is only going to get much stronger and with limited places in each event it will be a fight to get those spots. Our players have seen and competed on the world’s best stage and must continue to work hard towards the goal of competing in Tokyo in three years’ time.

Fife Bowler is up there with the Very Best

For most people it may be the particular delivery style that singles out Billy Allan from Cowdenbeath from other Scottish Para bowlers? Others may be impressed by his record of selections for IBD World Championships in Malaysia, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand and of course the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. There are however other qualities that Billy possesses that rank him up with the leading Para sportsmen and women in the 40 year history of Disability Sport Fife.

Billy looked up to and learned so much from Scotland’s Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Atlanta Paralympic medalist David Heddle from Fraserburgh. Throughout the 90s David dominated the men’s open and year after year Billy reached the final stages but could not topple the great man. 2002 was the year of the Manchester Commonwealth Games and scene of David Heddle’s finest triumph. It was also the final occasion that David won the Scottish Lawn Bowls title. Billy became Scottish Champion in 2003 for the first time and yet again in 2005 and 2007. He then had to wait until 2016 to regain the Dewars Trophy but he has now just completed a treble of victories following his win this year in Aberdeen. David Heddle is the only other bowler to complete the treble in the 38 year history of this event.

Billy Allan is fiercely loyal to Disability Sport Fife and Scottish Disability Sport. He never misses a DSF lawn bowls or carpet bowls National qualifying event and his record in carpet bowls at national level is exceptional. Billy is a fierce but fair competitor and he is a role model for emerging Fife bowlers. DSF values Billy greatly because of his loyalty to the local and national programmes and of course for his considerable skills as a bowler. Billy has been a brilliant servant to Disability Sport Fife and long may he continue.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Fife Teenager Moves to 11th in World Para Swimming

Oliver Carter from Cupar and Carnegie Swimming Club is off to the best start possible for the new swimming season.  Last month at the Fife Championships he lowered the Scottish record for 50m freestyle for the S10 class to 27.04. The previous record of 27.29 was held by five times Paralympian Paul Noble at 27.29. Oliver also set a personal best for 50m backstroke of 32.80.

The young Bell Baxter HS pupil is in his final year and considering his options for next year and beyond. Under the guidance of Carnegie SC Head Coach Morag Mitchell he has moved up the world rankings for 400m freestyle to eleven and is currently a member of the British Swimming Academy and the Scottish Swimming Senior Bronze squad. Oliver’s next major competition will be in December in Manchester.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Derek Rae Runs 10K Personal Best

Congratulations to GB Paralympian Derek Rae from Kirkcaldy and Fife AC who ran a personal best time at the Stirling 10K. Derek’s time of 32.33 is a PB by 7 seconds.

Derek is coached by Ron Morrison at Fife AC and the Stirling 10K is one of three events identified by Ron for Derek in a five week racing block. Weather conditions were particularly challenging in Stirling which makes the time all the more impressive. Derek is already looking forward to event number two in Glasgow.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Sensational Saturday for Brits with Wins at US Open Wheelchair Tennis

Great Britain’s Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid and Andy Lapthorne all added doubles titles to their growing collections of Grand Slam wins on a sensational day of wheelchair tennis action at the US Open in New York that also saw both Hewett and Lapthorne reach their respective singles finals.

Hewett and Reid were looking to follow up their doubles success at Wimbledon against the pair they had defeated at SW19, top seeds Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer of France.  The quartet have developed quite a rivalry within the game, with the Brits having won both of their last two Wimbledon final encounters, but the French prevailing at both Roland Garros this year and the Rio Paralympics final last year.

In the event however, a performance featuring lots of energy and creative play from the British pair proved too much for the French on this occasion, with Hewett and Reid claiming a straight sets 7-5, 6-4 victory in less than two hours.  It is a title Reid was defending from 2015 and is the Paralympic gold medallist’s ninth career Grand Slam crown, while it is a fourth for US Open debutant Hewett.

Speaking after the match, Scotland’s Reid said “I felt like we played a really composed match and we deserved to win today”, with Hewett adding thanks to Reid and saying “It’s my first US Open and I’m loving every minute of it!”

What makes the win even more remarkable is what had come before it.  The day had started with world No.3 Hewett and world No.2 Reid battling it out in a truly epic all-British men’s singles semi-final that enthralled the watching crowd for over three hours.  It was an encounter full of drama and momentum swings with 19 year old Hewett racing into a 3-0 lead in the first set, before Reid hit back to lead 5-3 with Hewett serving to stay in the set.  Hewett then reeled off four games in a row to take the first set.  He looked to be on course to claim a place in Sunday’s final as he led throughout the second, but he failed to convert three match points at 5-3 and Reid bounced back to force a decider.

It then looked to be Reid who would claim a place in his first US Open singles final as he led 4-0 in the third set and had two match points when leading 5-3, but he too failed to convert the opportunity and the marathon match went to a tiebreak.

In the breaker, Hewett saved three match points, starting at 6-4, before failing to take two of his own at 7-6 and 8-7.  The classic match came to an end as Norfolk’s Hewett took the win 10-8 to set up a final against Houdet, who defeated Argentina’s world No.1 Gustavo Fernandez in the other singles semi-final.

Watching courtside at Flushing Meadow, Tennis Foundation Executive Director Geoff Newton emphasised the outstanding quality that had been on display, commenting “This was one of the finest tennis matches I have seen –a great credit to both players and to our sport. Well done to both Alfie and Gordon”.

Following on from New York, the world’s best tennis players will be showcasing their skills in the UK at the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters at Loughborough University from 29 November – 3 December in what is the culmination of the 2017 season. To find out more and secure your tickets to see the drama unfold live visitwww.wheelchairtennismasters.com.

All of the British players in action in the wheelchair tennis at Flushing Meadow are part of the Tennis Foundation’s world class performance programme.  The Tennis Foundation is Great Britain’s leading tennis charity with a vision to make tennis a sport which is inclusive and accessible to all. It works to open up tennis to its priority audiences of disabled people, young people in education and in lower socio-economic communities – making it possible for them to enjoy the many health and social benefits of the sport whilst maximising their personal potential.

There is already a record number of disabled people playing tennis across the Tennis Foundation’s network of venues, but the success of the likes of Hewett, Reid and Lapthorne on the world stage is used by the Tennis Foundation as a platform to both raise the profile of tennis as a sport for disabled people and encourage even more disabled people to pick up racket and give tennis a go.

To find out more about disability tennis and find your neatest session visit www.tennisfoundation.org.uk, or get in touch via info@tennisfoundation.org.uk.

All photos courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

 

Grampian Para Come and Tri

As part of Triathlon Scotland’s ‘Scottish Para Come and Tri Series 2017’ in conjunction with Scottish Disability Sport & local partners, people from Grampian of all ages with a range of physical, sensory and learning disabilities took up the opportunity to swim, run and bike at Banff Academy on the 26th August.

The 14 participants were tasked with completing one of two distances: A 300m swim, 4km cycle and 1200m run; or a 100m swim, 1000m cycle and 400m run. The cycle was completed as loops round the playing fields and the run took place on the fantastic new Deveron Community and Sports Centre 400m tartan track.

Participants were invited to bring their own bikes. However, for those without their own bike, the Triathlon Scotland team was on hand with a fleet of bikes, acquired through generous funding from the CashBack for Communities Facilities Fund.

Craig Dillon in Action

Andy Redman, the North of Scotland Regional Development Officer for Triathlon Scotland, praised everyone that took part & noted that “all performances were outstanding”. He also commended the fantastic support that the parents, carers and others accompanying the athletes offered on the day. An enjoyable time was had by all.

One of the participants was Craig Dillon (pictured in action on his RaceRunning bike), who took on all three disciplines with gusto and thoroughly impressed the Triathlon Scotland team. When asked what he thought of the day, Craig said “yeah, good”. Craig is very keen to take part in more triathlon events in the future & particularly enjoyed the swimming element of the event.

Thanks go to Andy & Calum from Triathlon Scotland, the Enable Group in Banff, Charles (the Duty Manager at the facility), and Andrea McIntosh who volunteered on the day.

Photos by Andy Redman

East Athletes Shine at 2017 School Games

The annual School Games was held over the weekend 31st August to 3rd September at Loughborough University, attracting many of the most talented school aged athletes from across the United Kingdom.  The School Games (formerly known as the UK School Games) is an integrated multi-sport event and seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting which encourages more young people to take part and succeed in sport.  The competition reinforces the experience of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and has provided a platform for many future International stars to showcase their talents as young athletes.

There were three athletes from the East of Scotland who travelled south of the border to participate in their chosen sports – Beth Johnston & Dylan Bleakley (Swimming) and Josh Manson (Wheelchair Basketball) – with all individuals experiencing a great level of success.

Borders Elite Swim Team (BEST) youngster Beth Johnston (Galashiels, Scottish Borders) continued her excellent progress in the pool securing an impressive two gold and one silver medal on her return to the School Games.  The current Gala Academy Sports Personality of the Year recorded excellent times on her way to first place finishes in the 100m Back (1.18.22) and 200m Individual Medley (2.53.58), while securing second place in the 100m Free (1.10.96).  The S10 swimmer has had an excellent year, competing around the world including the World Para Swimming Series in Indianapolis, USA.

East Lothian Swim Team (ELST) youngster Dylan Bleakley (East Lothian) revelled in his first appearance at the Games, recording a third place finish and bronze medal in the 200m IM (2.59.20).  The S14 swimmer who recently only turned 14 will be hoping to build on the success and carry the form into the forthcoming season with ELST.

An athlete who has experienced the School Games a number of occasions is 17 year old Josh Manson (Edinburgh).  However, it was a first for the former Currie HS pupil, and Scotland as a team, as they achieved their most notable result since the inception of the School Games in 2009 – claiming the bronze medal after a nail biting match which finished 58 – 56 against England South.  The Edinburgh based wheelchair basketball player was instrumental in helping the Young Scots reach the heights of 3rd place and record the best result by a Celtic Nation at the Games.  Manson, who has recently moved from Lothian Phoenix to Tees Valley Titans will be hoping this success continues as he moves into the new season with his new club south of the border.

Full results from all sports at the 2017 School Games can be found here – http://results.schoolgamesfinals.org/results

For more information on disability sport opportunities in the East of Scotland, please contact Neal Herbert on 0131 625 4414 or neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Photo credit – Dylan Bleakley displaying his bronze medal from the School Games.

2017 National Lawn Bowls Championships

The sun was shining for bowlers in Aberdeen for the 2017 National Lawn Bowls Championships.  SDS returned to Westburn Park, Aberdeen for another successful Championships. The picturesque park in the heart of the Granite City has been the home of the Championships for almost thirty years now and as ever Sport Aberdeen proved to be excellent hosts. SDS were delighted to welcome the Depute Lord Provost of Aberdeen Allan Donnelly to present the trophies to the winners and the Chair of Sport Aberdeen Colin Taylor who attended to support the bowlers. Sport Aberdeen have been ideal partners over the years for this event and their commitment to disability sport in the area is clear with their unstinting support of this event.

Conditions were ideal as players from all over Scotland descended on the three-green club. Particularly pleasing was the presence of new bowlers at the Championships from the Scottish Borders, Angus and Perth & Kinross. Steve Key – a bowls player from Perth & Kinross – made his first appearance a memorable one by securing the title for players in a wheelchair. Steve defeated the highly decorated former champion Rosemary Lenton (Dumfries & Galloway) in the final by 9 points to 6. Four-time champion Billy Allan from Fife and his fellow Commonwealth Games squad member Mike Nicoll (Scottish Borders) in the final of Section 4 by 11 points to 5 to claim the Dewars trophy for the fifth time and may have the peerless David Heddle’s eight-title records in his cross-hairs.

Sections 1 & 7 were combined and four bowler competed for this title with the experienced Carole Martin from Lothian emerging victorious on this occasion defeating Grampian’s Katherine Hardie in the final to the loss of no points and claim her first national title in the competition.

The Thomas Taylor trophy was contested by bowlers from three branches with 2016 winner Tracy Black from Forth Valley, Fife’s Mary Wilson, Barbara McMillan, Maria Spencer and Sam Smeaton expected to be all competing strongly for the 2017 edition. In an extraordinarily close group Sam Smeaton qualified for the final on shot difference as the players all secured one win apiece. Mary Wilson repeated her 2016 performance by finishing runner-up to her stable-mate Sam by 7 points to 4.

The closest section of all proved to be Section 6 where local bowler Ali Burt and Lothian’s Richard Morrison were the clear group winners who then faced off in the final. Last year’s champion Fraser Mathieson had to withdraw prior to the vent with an injured back and this meant a new name was destined for the trophy. IN an intensely competitive match Ali Burt sent the local home happy with a 6-5 win over the Lothian bowler.

Fife’s strength in the bowlers with a learning disability section came to the fore again with both titles heading back down the coast to the kingdom. Craig Donaldson added to his 4 titles with against Phillip Hendry from Highland in a comfortable 14-6 win. Wendy Thomson joined Billy Allan as the only bowlers to defend their titles in 2017 by beating Lothian’s Amanda Craig in the Section 9 final and lift the Jessie Buchan cup.

SDS congratulates all winners on their achievements and are already looking forward to next year’s championships.

SDS is indebted once again to the support offered in staging the championships by Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen.