Rio Paralympic gold medallist and reigning Wimbledon champion Gordon Reid made history again on Sunday, becoming the first Brit to win the men’s singles title at the Japan Open in Iizuka to cement his return to the top of the wheelchair tennis world rankings.

Reid will become world No.1 for the third time when this week’s rankings are published after winning his second title at Super Series level, the top tier of wheelchair tennis tournament outside of the Grand Slams.

The 25-year-old beat world No. 5 Nicolas Peifer of France 7-6(3), 6-1 in Sunday’s final, which was Reid’s second in Iizuka after also finishing runner-up in 2015.

After defeating world No. 8 Maikel Scheffers in the quarter-finals, second seed Reid made it back-to back victories over former Japan Open champions when he beat Argentina’s world No. 4 Gustavo Fernandez in the semi-finals. Reid beat Fernandez 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to reach one of three finals in Iizuka for players on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme.

The British No.1 went into this year’s Japan Open just 30 points behind Stephane Houdet of France at the top of the rankings. But securing his place in the semi-finals for the second straight year proved to be the key result for Reid’s return to world No.1, as Peifer beat defending champion Houdet in the other semi-final before Reid signed off in style with victory in Sunday’s final.

“I’m very happy to be coming home with the title and regaining my place at the top of the singles rankings,” said Reid, who also partnered Alfie Hewett to their third Super Series doubles final of 2017 before they finished runners-up to top seeds Houdet and Peifer.

“This is my first Japan Open title and only my second Super Series title, so it’s one I am very proud of. I felt I improved my level throughout the week and produced my best tennis at the important points in the final to clinch the match.

“My performances in Japan have given me a good confidence boost looking ahead to the summer Grand Slams.”

Reid first became world No.1 after winning September’s historic all-British men’s singles gold medal match against Hewett at the Rio Paralympics.

He remained at the top for three weeks and then regained the position in December when beating Houdet in his penultimate match of the season, in the semi-finals of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters in London.

Reid therefore became the first Brit to earn the men’s singles year-end world No. 1 ranking and become ITF Wheelchair Tennis World Champion. Reid is due to receive his ITF World Champion’s award in Paris next month.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

Aviemore was the venue last month, for the seventeenth annual Disability First Shinty Festival which saw Abercorn School from Glasgow emerge as winners.

7 teams and 5 schools from Inverness, Oban, Perth Glasgow and North Ayrshire enjoyed coaching from qualified shinty coaches and games throughout the two day event which culminated in a tournament.

The tournament was played on a round robin format with all 7 teams playing each other once, with the top 2 teams making it through to the final.

The round robin league was extremely competitive with some excellent play and great goals scored throughout the day.

Abercorn School from Glasgow topped the group on maximum points with record holders Drummond clinching second place, two points behind Abercorn.

The final, surprisingly was a one side encounter with defending champions Abercorn proving too strong for their Inverness opponents Drummond, running out convincing winners by 6 goals to nil.

Camanachd Association President Jim Barr and Rosemary and Aaron Macphee presents t-shirts and medals to all the players and coaches.

Camanachd Association Youth Director, Willie MacDonald, said: “This is one of the most rewarding events we hold annually as we are bringing together children who don’t get many opportunities to compete in shinty. The event grows in popularity each year so I hope we build on this success for next year”.

Festival organiser and Regional Development Manager, Ronald Ross, said: “I would like to thank our festival sponsors the Celtic FC Foundation ‘Inspiring Sport’ programme and the MacPhee Family for their support of this hugely enjoyable event.”

Scottish Disability Sport CEO, Gavin Macleod, said: “Congratulations to the Cammanachd Association on another successful Disability First Shinty Festival and well done to all the schools, coaches and players who participated.”

Pictured is the Abercorn School captain with the trophy, his teammates and other competitors. Also in the picture is Rosemary and Aaron MacPhee.

Great Britain’s men’s and quad wheelchair tennis teams have reached the semi-finals of their respective events at the 2017 BNP Paribas World Team Cup after winning their final round-robin ties on Thursday to finish top of their pools in Alghero, Sardinia.

Rio 2016 men’s singles gold and silver medallists Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett and teammate Dermot Bailey are unbeaten so far in the men’s competition at the International Tennis Federation’s flagship wheelchair tennis event, having secured 3-0 wins against China, Italy and Austria. They play Poland on Friday for a place in the men’s final for the second time in three years.

“There have been a few close ties and upsets in the draw. GB have done a good job to finish top of the group without losing a match.  It’s a real confidence boost going into the semis,” said 19-year-old Hewett. “There’s a good atmosphere in the camp, we are focussed on one match at a time and looking forward to the next one tomorrow.”

The World Team Cup has provided some memorable moments for GB players on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme in recent years, including Hewett and Reid both being members of the Great Britain team that won the men’s title for the first time in 2015. Hewett was also part of the Great Britain team that won the junior title in 2013.

Hewett beat Martin Legner 6-1, 6-1 and Reid defeated Nico Langmann 6-3, 6-0 to give Britain an unassailable lead over Austria in Thursday’s third and last men’s Pool B round-robin contest. Bailey then partnered Reid to a narrow 6-1, 4-6, (10-6) victory over Langmann and Legner after a match tie-break in the doubles rubber.

The Great Britain quad team, featuring Rio quad singles silver medallist Andy Lapthorne, Antony Cotterill and James Shaw, have also finished top of Pool B in their event after a 3-0 victory over Korea and 2-1 wins over Canada and Japan.

Cotterill dropped the opening singles rubber of Thursday’s contest against Japan, but Lapthorne forced the doubles rubber after beating Mitsuteru Moroishi with a powerful display 6-0 6-0. Reigning Doubles Masters champions Cotterill and Lapthorne then won the doubles rubber against Shota Kawano and Moroishi 6-3, 6-3.

“I’m really pleased with how the week has gone so far and I’m looking forward to another big match on Saturday,” said Lapthorne, who has been a part of two Great Britain teams that have won the World Team Cup quad title previously.

Great Britain play USA on Saturday in a bid to reach this year’s final after Cotterill and Lapthorne were both members of the GB team that last won the quad title in 2014.

Great Britain’s junior team of Ruairi Logan and World Team Cup debutants Alex Chaston and George Davies will play off for fifth to eighth places. All three of Great Britain’s junior round-robin contests against Brazil, Russia and Turkey have been decided in the doubles rubber, with 15-year-old Logan unbeaten so far in his three singles rubbers.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

A team of 25 swimmers competed in the British Para Swimming International Meet between Thursday 27 and Sunday 30 April. The event took place for the fourth year running in Pond’s Forge, Sheffield.

This event is one of the largest open competitions for para swimmers and attracted teams from all over the world. As British Swimming enters a new Paralympic cycle, athletes were competing for the title of British Champion. Races toko place over the four days with heat sessions taking place in the morning and finals in the evening.

Toni Shaw and Stephen Clegg had a particularly successful event, as they broke eight British and Scottish records between them. A full list of new record holders is below.

British Records:
Stephen Clegg S12 50m Freestyle (25.14)
Stephen Clegg S12 100m Freestyle (54.08)
Stephen Clegg S12 100m Backstroke (1:02.01)

Scottish Records:
Toni Shaw S9 50m Freestyle (30.97)
Toni Shaw S9 100m Freestyle (1:06.54)
Toni Shaw S9 400m Freestyle (4:58.66)
Toni Shaw S9 100m Butterfly (1:12.35)
Toni Shaw SM9 200m IM (2:44.61)
Beth Johnston S10 100m Backstroke (1:18.66)
Oliver Carter S10 100m Freestyle (59.13)

World Para Series Medallists:
Gold – Conner Morrison 100m Breaststroke
Silver – Scott Quin 100m Breaststroke
Silver – Andrew Mullen 50m Butterfly
Silver – Andrew Mullen 50m Backstroke
Silver – Stephen Clegg 100m Backstroke
Bronze – Stephen Clegg 100m Freestyle
Bronze – Stephen Clegg 100m Butterfly

General Stats:
Total 107 Events
Total Final Swims 54 (50.5%)
PBs as % of total Swims 36.6%
Total Scottish Swimmers Entered 25

Day 1

On day one, University of Aberdeen Performance athlete, Conner Morrison (SB14), took gold in the MC 100m breaststroke event, with a time of 1:07.53 (947 points). Paralympic silver medallist, Scott Quin, SB14, (Warrender Baths) secured silver in 1:08.29 (916 points).

Paralympian Stephen Clegg (S12) picked up bronze in the MC 100m freestyle. The University of Stirling athlete touched home in 54.08 (834 points), which was a new British Record.

Andrew Mullen (S5, City of Glasgow Swim Team) and Oliver Carter (S10, Carnegie) finished 19^th and 21^st respectively. Earlier in the day Oliver Carter broke the Scottish Record for the event, touching home in 59.13.

In other World Series finals, Toni Shaw (S9, University of Aberdeen Performance) finished 11^th in the MC 100m freestyle in 1:07.30. Earlier in the day she had broken the Scottish Record for the event with a time of 1:06.54. Rosie Bancroft (S10, Manchester Aquatics) and Abby Kane (S13, Ren 96) were 16^th and 21^st overall for the event.

Reagan Doig (SB14, Stirling Swimming), finished 18^th overall in the MC 100m breaststroke.

Day 2

Stephen Clegg (S12, University of Stirling) continued his record breaking form on day 2 of the British Para-Swimming International Meet at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, breaking the British Record in the MC 50m freestyle event with a time of 25.14 to finish 9^th overall (764 points). He takes the record from older brother James.

Andrew Mullen (S5, City of Glasgow Swim Team) finished 20^th overall with a time of 36.37 (677 points).

In the Women’s MC 50m freestyle World Series finals, Toni Shaw (S9, University of Aberdeen Performance) finished 13^th overall in 31.33 (732 points). Earlier in the day Shaw had broken the Scottish record for the event with a time of 30.97.

Abby Kane (S13, Ren 96) finished in 30.58 (714 points) to finish 16^th overall for the event.

Shaw (SM9) went onto break the Scottish Record again in the MC 200m IM World Series final, posting a time of 2:44.61 to finish 14th overall with 724 points.

In the Men’s MC 200m IM World Series finals, Scott Quin (SM14, Warrender Baths Club) finished 11^th overall with a time of 2:21.44 (758 points) while gold medallist from day 1, Conner Morrison (SM14, University of Aberdeen Performance) touched home in 2:22.16 (746 points) to finish 12^th.

Day 3

Toni Shaw (S9, University of Aberdeen Performance), secured her hat-trick of Scottish Records on day 3 of the British Para Swimming International Meet, taking place at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. The 13-year old swam to a new record in the MC 100m butterfly World Series final, posting a time of 1:12.35 which saw her finish 7^th overall with 784 points.

Reagan Doig (S14, Stirling Swimming) finished 14^th overall for the event in a time of 1:11.46 (625 points).

Stephen Clegg (S12, University of Stirling) was back on the podium twice, with Silver in the MC 100m backstroke, where he won silver in a time of 1:02.01 (876 points). That improved on the British Record he set for the event at the Paralympic Games in Rio last summer.

Later on in the evening Clegg won Bronze in the MC 100m butterfly, finishing in 1:00.92, 812 points.

Andrew Mullen (S5, City of Glasgow Swim Team) made a welcome return to the podium on the penultimate day of racing at the British Para Swimming International Meet in Sheffield.

Mullen won silver in the MC 50m butterfly with a time of 37.59 (738 points).

Paralympic silver medallist, Abby Kane (S13, Ren 96) finished 6^th overall in the MC 100m backstroke, with a time of 1:10.58 (849 points).

Day 4

Paralympic Silver medallist, Andrew Mullen (S5, City of Glasgow Swim Team) had to be satisfied with silver again for the MC 50m backstroke World Series Final on the last day of racing at the British Para Swimming International Meet in Sheffield. Mullen’s time of 38.04 (775 points) was just 0.1 off his time in Rio, which won him the silver medal for the event.

Gold went to Czech Republic’s Arnost Petracek (S4) in a world record time of 42.22 and a total of 1035 points.

In other World Series Finals, Toni Shaw (S9, University of Aberdeen Performance) again showed her form, finishing 5^th in the MC 400m freestyle event, with a time of 4:59.51 (683 points). Abby Kane (S13, Ren 96) was 12^th in 5:03.65 (624 points), while Beth Johnston (S10, BEST) and Cara Smyth (S10, InCAS) finished 19^th and 21^st respectively with times of 5:25.18 (572 points) and 5:31.27 (541 points).

In the Men’s MC 400m freestyle event, Oliver Carter (S10, Carnegie) finished 10^th in 4:35.09 (645 points).

In the MC 200m freestyle World Series finals, Conner Morrison (S14, University of Aberdeen Performance) finished 9^th overall in 2:06.35, with Scott Quin (S14, Warrender Baths) and Jack Milne (S14, Dundee City Aquatics) finishing 14^th and 22^nd respectively in 2:08.35 (743 points) and 2:12.69 (672 points).

Reagan Doig (S14, Stirling Swimming) was 7^th overall in the Women’s MC 200m freestyle  posting a time of 2:23.16 for 620 points).

The full list of swimmers competing is below:

Name	Branch	Region
Rosie Bancroft		West
Lewis Beagrie		West
Christian Buchanan	Lothian Disability Sport	East
Oliver Carter	Disability Sport Fife	Fife
Stephen Clegg	Borders Disability Sport	East
Reagan Doig	Perth & Kinross Disability Sport	Tayside
Adam Donnachie	South Lanarkshire Disability Sport	West
Rhys Gill	Grampian Disability Sport	Grampian
Hope Gordon	Highland Disability Sport	Highlands & Islands
Kayleigh Haggo	Ayrshire Sportsability	West
Genevieve Hunter		West
Kyle Hughes		West
Beth Johnston	Borders Disability Sport	East
Abby Kane	Ayrshire Sportsability	West
John Law		West
Stephen McCormick	Disability Sport Fife	Fife
Amy McFarlane		West
Jack Milne		Tayside
Conner Morrison	Grampian Disability Sport	Grampian
Andrew Mullen		West
Laura Pilkington	Lothian Disability Sport	East
Scott Quin	Lothian Disability Sport	East
Toni Shaw	Grampian Disability Sport	Grampian
Cara Smyth	Disability Sport Fife	Fife
Erin Swan		West

Full results can be seen here.

If you or anyone you know would like to become involved in disability swimming, please contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and the Scottish Football Association (SFA) were delighted to deliver the National 5-a-side football Championships at Glasgow Green once again.

An entry of 45 teams from all over Scotland arrived at Glasgow Green to participate in the SDS/ SFA National Championships to determine which team can claim bragging rights for the 5-a-side format for the year ahead.

David McArdle of the SFA organised the programme for the event and it was heartening to see 7 sections represented on the day, an increase of 2 from 2016. The combining of A Class and B Class players in the Premier Division has allowed teams a much more competitive environment and accommodates teams that would otherwise not play many matches.

It proved to be a very successful tournament, once again, for teams from the West of Scotland, with 6 out of the 7 competitions being won by teams from this region, demonstrating the strength of the clubs and players in this area. Glasgow Firhill emerged victorious in the Premiership division defeating Highland in the final in a repeat of the previous two year results, Claremont Colts defeated last year’s champions Blantyre to win the Championship title, however Blantyre dominated the League 1 section with both their teams reaching the final. Claremont sealed the League 2 title with Glasgow Ladies seeing off Dundee’s St James in the female section.

Carrongrange schools a terrific event this year as their A squad took the A title with victory over Lothian in the Junior A section. Glasgow’s talented Abercorn team just proved too strong for them in the Junior B section, however.

Scottish Disability Sport and the Scottish Football Association are grateful for the input of Brian Martin for providing officials, and to Phil Storrier and the students of Kelvin College for their unstinting support throughout the day.

The next football national event will take place at Toryglen in September.

 

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and the Scottish Indoor Bowling Association (SIBA) were delighted to hold the 2^nd annual National Indoor Para Bowls Singles Championships once again at Falkirk IBC. The event originally arose out of a willingness of various stakeholders agreeing to work together to make this new event possible and complete the circle of competition in all formats of the sport. SDS, SIBA, Scottish Association of Blind Bowlers (SABB) and Scottish Deaf Bowlers Association (SDBA) all contributed to this event and evidences what can be achieved by strong partnership working. The event has proven to be an exciting addition to the bowling calendar and was further strengthened by the involvement this year of Co-op Funeralcare who have committed to the sponsorship of this event for at least the next three years.

The event continues to grow with 63 bowlers competing over three days of competition – an increase on competitors and days from 2016. Plans are already in place to grow further for 2018 with SIBA committing to providing trophies for each section.

The first day of the event witnessed the bowlers with a learning disability competing over three sections for the title of national champion.

28^th April

The bowlers with a learning disability section featured 24 bowlers from four SDS branches and a high quality field turned out for the second opportunity at a national indoor title.

In the Male A section an all-Fife clash saw Daryl Stewart defeat Craig Donaldson by the narrowest of margins in an enthralling final with plenty quality on show.

The Female A section featured last year’s champion – Lothian bowler Amanda Craig and a bowler who has had a phenomenal season with her club, Fife’s Pamela Mitchell. Both bowlers began strongly before Pamela eased away following the fifth end to finish on top.

An all Lothian final in the Gents B section culminated with last year’s finalist Christina McSherry edging out her stablemate Euan Wright.

29^th April

The deaf bowlers featured one male section and one female section. Once again, it was a real pleasure to welcome the deaf bowlers to the event and thanks have to go to Keith Hyland – secretary of the SDBA for his co-ordination and in his role as interpreter during the event.

Morris Cavanagh (Lothian) won the male section finishing ahead of Billy Paxton (Glasgow) 21-10. Charlotte Simpson (Glasgow) proved too strong in the final defeating Isabella Ingram (Dundee) by the same score.

The bowlers with a visual impairment had two sections B2/B3 for Male & Female. The Fife Pocket Rocket Maria Spencer defended her title with aplomb and defeated fellow IBD World Champion Irene Edgar (Ayrshire) in the female section.

Irene’s husband Billy Edgar – another gold medallist from New Zealand 2015 – defeated Fife’s Ian Graham in the final 21-15. Three of the four finalists in these sections have been selected to represent Scotland at the upcoming 8 Nations Test Series in Gold Coast, Australia in June. Irene, Billy and Maria will travel with a squad of 18 players, directors and coaches who will join up with their mainstream counterparts in the southern hemisphere for a fortnight of competition as a qualifier for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

30^th April

Four females competed in the open section for female bowlers with a physically disability.  Barbara McMillan, Tracy Black, Mary Wilson and Rosemary Lenton completed the round robin section. The final was contested between the two vastly experienced bowlers Barbara McMillan (Fife) and Rosemary Lenton (Dumfries & Galloway). A resounding victory for Barbara by 21 shots to 8 proved her hard work in the close season has begun to bear fruit.

The B6 male section saw an increase of 100% in competitors which illustrates the strength in depth of this section following a period of identification of players. Despite the expanded section two familiar names contested the final. Billy Allan (Fife) avenged his semi-final knockout last year by defeating Lothian’s Gary Clelland 21 shots to 9.

The section for B7/8 Male bowlers grew in numbers by 3 from 2016 and the final proved to be a repeat of the 2016 edition with South Lanarkshire’s Garry Brown defeating Ayrshire’s John Wardrope by a slightly more comfortable score of 21-16 than his one –shot victory last year. Celebrations continued for these two bowlers as they discovered – along with Billy Allan – that they too had been selected to join Team Scotland on the trip down under.

Indoor bowling offers significant competitive and participation opportunities to bowlers. Therefore, after the continued success of this event, every effort should be made to develop and encourage its expansion throughout the branches and regions.

There are clearly bowlers playing regularly that are still to be identified by SDS and its member branches and continued efforts should be made to engage as far and wide with all partners in the bowling community to enable the sport to continue to grow. This should ensure bowlers with a disability access established pathways and keep Scotland at the forefront of this great sport internationally.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the recognised governing body for para bowls in Scotland and is tasked with selecting a 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 countries within the sport and our mission is to become the number one para bowls nation in the world.

With the inclusion of two events within the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games para programme – Mixed Pair B2/B3 and Open Triple B6/B7/B8 – preparations have accelerated.  As a result SDS, along with the coaching staff, have been in the process of monitoring performances within the current programme in order to select a group of players tasked with ensuring Scotland’s qualification for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.  This group of players will compete at the Gold Coast Para-Sport Lawn Bowls Competition from the 4 – 7 June 2017 at Broadbeach Bowls Club in Australia.

Selection decisions are always difficult and given the strength and depth that we now have in the programme this has become even more challenging, with competition or places extremely high.

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

“SDS are delighted to announce a strong field of players to compete at the Gold Coast Para-Sport Lawn Bowls Competition.  Selection decisions were extremely difficult but we feel the group has a good blend of experience, youth and a strong sense of team unity, which is vital for pairs and triples disciplines. We look forward to the event next month and have every confidence in the players we have selected. Furthermore, we are delighted to be receiving various support services via the sportscotand Institute of Sport, in order to ensure our players are in the best possible position to deliver at the Commonwealth Games in 2018”.

Open Triples B6/B7/B8

Player	Classification	Town	Local Authority
Billy Allan	B6	Cowdenbeath	Fife
Mike Nicoll	B6	Jedburgh	Scottish Borders
Garry Brown	B7	Kirkmuirhill	South Lanarkshire
Martin Hunter	B7	Burntisland	Fife
Michael Simpson	B7	Auchtermuchty	Fife
John Wardrope	B7	Ayr	South Ayrshire
Reserves
Barbara McMillan	B7	Cowdenbeath	Fife
Gary Clelland	B6	Linlithgow	West Lothian

 

Mixed Pair B2/B3

Robert Barr	B3	Glasgow	Glasgow
Billy Edgar	B3	Saltcoats	North Ayrshire
Irene Edgar	B2	Saltcoats	North Ayrshire
Maria Spencer	B3	Dunfermline	Fife
Reserve
Mary Stevenson	B2	Barrhead	Renfrewshire

 

Directors

Director	Town	Local Authority
Sarah-Jane Ewing	Dunfermline	Fife
Ron McArthur	Falkirk	Falkirk
Christine Morrow	Dalmuir	Clydebank
David Thomas	Ardrossan	North Ayrshire

Coaches

Coaches	Town	Local Authority
Bob Dick (Head Coach)	Cupar	Fife
Chris McGready	Perth	Perth & Kinross
Eric McMillan	Cowdenbeath	Fife
Nigel Walker	Dalgety Bay	Fife

 

Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics returned to Bellahouston Park, Glasgow for the 2017 National Cross-Country Championships.

After some inclement weather and traffic challenges ensured the original date for this event was cancelled, a date was secured at the same venue in late April for another attempt at this event. Met office warnings of snow were unwelcome and, fortunately, unfounded although runners and officials can testify to the temperature fast approaching zero!

SDS and scottishathletics were pleased to welcome back the majority of runners entered for the original date, with a few more also able to compete thanks to the postponement. The course was looking excellent with spring daffodils providing a picturesque landscape for the runners to enjoy throughout the race.

The East and West series continues to grow apace with more entries and more races taking place each year.

The event featured races across three distances with competitors from primary age-groups to seniors with every secondary school stage also represented.

In the absence of the experienced GB athlete Owen Miller, fellow Fifer Sam Fernando secured the Open Senior 3k title with his stablemate Carter Taylor finishing second, followed by Forth Valley’s George Le Hardy.

Grampian’s Carl Furmann won the Senior title in the 1k race, finishing ahead of Forth Valley’s Liam Nolan, however the fastest 1k time of the day fell to Hamilton Grammar’s Alexander Thomson who won the S4 boys category in a time of 4.20.

A large entry in the girls sections was pleasing to see with Kimberley Walker transitioning from Primary to Secondary seamlessly adding the S1 female title to the primary title she won here last year. Further female successes came from Lochgelly’s Louise Harley (2k Girls Gold), Merkland’s Sara Stevenson (1k S4 Girls Gold) and Amy McAllister (1k S5-6 Girls Gold) amongst others.

The future for Cross Country is bright with impressive performances in the Primary section from representatives of Drummore, Firpark, Merkland and Craigmarloch. This is such an accessible sport for primary age pupils with varying distances available and plenty events to choose from. Jayden Okolo (Drummore) and Elliot Higgins (Merkland) were the girl and boy winners respectively.

Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport would like to highlight the work done by all the many volunteers and officials that ensure the event runs smoothly on the day, especially Angus Cameron and Doleen Galbraith – significant supporters of disability athletics.

Cross-country is an excellent route into athletics for youngsters around Scotland and strong programmes exist in various areas of the country from Highland to the Lanarkshires, Perth & Kinross which supplement the very successful series in the West of Scotland and the East of Scotland. SDS and Scottish Athletics would urge any youngsters interested in trying out Cross-Country to contact their local branch or the SDS office to find out how to access the sport.

If you are interested in finding out more about this event or any other Scottish Disability Sport event please contact Mark Gaffney on 013 625 4417 or at mark.gaffney@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Thanks to Laurence Bisset for the cover photo and for further photos on the day.

 

The Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) has awarded the rights to host the 2018 World Championships to Boccia UK. The competition, which is the biggest and most prestigious on the international calendar outside the Paralympic Games, will be hosted at Exhibition Centre Liverpool from the 9^th to 19^th August 2018.

Boccia is a Paralympic sport with no Olympic equivalent. It is a target ball sport designed for athletes with impairments affecting all four limbs. Having watched the sport in London 2012, sportswriter Simon Barnes wrote “It’s the heart and soul of the Paralympic Games. Or of all sport. You haven’t seen sport until you’ve seen boccia.”

Following sold out crowds in London 2012 and Rio 2016 the sport continues to grow apace internationally and 192 athletes will travel to Liverpool in 2018 in their quest to become World Champion. A truly international sport, the medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were shared between Europe, Asia and the Americas while more countries in Oceania and Africa are taking part in BISFed sanctioned competitions every year.

The organising committee aims to deliver the best World Championships the sport has seen. Hosted in Exhibition Centre Liverpool, an 8,100m² venue on the banks of Liverpool’s world heritage waterfront with accommodation on site, the athlete experience will be second to none. Situated in Liverpool city centre, the event aims to attract thousands of spectators to create a memorable atmosphere and introduce people to a fascinating technical and tactical sport they might not have come across before.

John Dowson, Chair of Boccia UK, said:

“We are thrilled to be hosting the BISFed World Championships in Liverpool next year. This is the largest Boccia event on the international calendar in terms of athlete numbers and gives an excellent opportunity for innovation in showcasing the sport at a stunning location. We are extremely grateful to UK Sport and the National Lottery for their financial contribution through their Major Events Programme and to the City of Liverpool who will provide an unrivalled experience for both athletes and spectators”

David Hadfield, President of BISFed, said:

“I am very pleased that the BISFed 2018 World Championships will be hosted by Boccia UK in the wonderful city of Liverpool. Boccia is the fastest-growing Paralympic sport and we expect the competition to attract more countries and more athletes than ever to an international boccia event. I am looking forward to seeing an extraordinary demonstration of para sport in a very exciting and innovative setting.”

David Smith MBE, two-time Paralympic Gold medallist and Boccia UK athlete, said:

“I am so excited that the BISFed 2018 World Championships will be held in the UK. Performing in front of a home crowd in London 2012 was one of the finest moments of my career. I know the people of Liverpool are sports mad and I really hope they will take Boccia to their hearts to give my team mates and I a huge boost on the road to Tokyo. I hope that by creating the most interactive and entertaining Boccia competiton ever we will put Boccia firmly in the public consciousness and inspire the local and national disability community to get involved in the sport.”

Joe Anderson OBE, Mayor of Liverpool, said:

“This is fantastic news and a demonstration of Liverpool’s ability to secure and deliver major sporting events. Whether it’s athletics, netball, triathlons, gymnastics, boxing, running and now Boccia, Liverpool has proved itself time and again as the perfect host to showcase a wide range of sports. We take it extremely seriously and have world class venues matched with passionate fans, providing a unique welcome. Sport is in our DNA and we will work hard to bring an enthusiastic audience that will be fair, welcoming and supportive of all athletes and participating nations and showcase Boccia to the world.”

Tim Hollingsworth OBE, CEO of the British Paralympic Association, said:

“It is terrific news that Boccia UK will host the BISFed World Championships next year giving British crowds the opportunity to watch Boccia here in the UK. We have a proud tradition of success in Boccia at Paralympic level – this is built on outstanding performances at major championships, such as the Worlds, and I am sure that British athletes will be keen to perform once again in front of home support. The World Championships will also be a major part of the GB team’s preparations for Tokyo 2020 so it will be a good testing ground ahead of the Games.

“I congratulate the team at Boccia UK on all their hard work to win the right to host the Championships. I know they will put on a fantastic event and I look forward to attending next year.”

The Scottish Disability Sport Para Bowls team competed at the Home Nation Championships at the Newport Indoor Bowls Stadium in Wales from Friday 21st April to Sunday 23rd April.

Teams from England, Wales and Scotland competed in singles, pairs, triples and fours across the physically disabled and visually impaired sections, for the honour of being crowned Home Nations Champions. This was the first of two of these events in an extremely busy year, with the focus being Commonwealth Games 2018 qualification.

The Scottish programme is buoyed with talent at present and a team of twenty seven bowlers, directors and coaches were selected to compete and defend the trophy won in 2016 at Kelvingrove International Bowls Centre in Glasgow. Scotland traditionally excel in the outdoor environment, however indoor bowls is a completely different proposition, which has historically been England’s forte.

Indoor bowls has become the priority heading into the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games due to the lightening quick green speeds that will welcome our players in Australia. No outdoor surface in Scotland can replicate that environment and as a result Scotland’s indoor play has improved dramatically.

The format of the event dictated that each match was worth two points, with 48 being available across the weekend. Scotland’s target was 32 – enough to win the competition – but in the end we had to settle for 30, resulting in a runners up place with England lifting the trophy. Ultimately, one more victory against England would have been enough, and there were numerous close matches across several rinks, but it wasn’t to be.

Scotland congratulate England on their success but our coaching team have taken many positives from the performances, which included varying combinations of players, formations and directors that was tested against tough international opponents. Furthermore, several new players made their international debut and it was a great opportunity for the players and staff to travel together and build upon the already strong team dynamic. In the long run this will aid the Scottish preparations for the Multi-Nations event at the beginning of June, which will ultimately qualify the nation for the Games itself.

There were several notable performances across the board but the team, via Captain Michael Simpson, highlighted John Wardrope (B7) for special mention. He was the only member of the squad to win all four of the games he competed, with a string of mature performances in two pair’s ties, alongside Martin Hunter and two fours ties, alongside Billy Allan, Barbara McMillan and Michael Simpson.

SDS would like to thank all the coaches, players and directors for their efforts over the course of the weekend and throughout the year thus far.

For a full list of players please click here.