Category: A News

21/02/2017

Forth Valley Disability Sport GOGA launch

Forth Valley Disability Sport successfully launched their Get Out Get Active (GOGA) project ‘Lady GOGA’ at the Branch AGM and Awards Ceremony on Monday 20 February 2017. The event was hugely successful with over 100 attendees ranging from Provosts to coaches, volunteers, athletes, families and the vast number of partners/sponsors FVDS work with.

Forth Valley Disability Sport project ‘Lady GOGA’ main aim is to significantly increase female participation in disability sport and physical activity across the Forth Valley area. FVDS will work with many of their key partners during this three year project, including Blazing Saddles, Paths For All and Scottish Swimming to deliver the outcomes. For more information on the FVDS ‘Lady GOGA’ project watch the video below.

GOGA is an exciting new UK programme funded by Spirit of 2012 with three Scottish localities, Grampian, Fife and Forth Valley, taking part. More information on GOGA can be found in the launch booklet here.

20/02/2017

Reid Wins Second World Singles Title in Rotterdam

Gordon Reid clinched his first singles title of 2017 on Saturday after securing his second successive ABN AMRO World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament crown in Rotterdam with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Nicolas Peifer of France.

World No.3 Reid secured early breaks in both sets of the ITF 1 Series final and took the last three games of the opening set, serving out the with a forehand down the line. He took a commanding 4-0 lead in the second set and a Peifer double fault set up match point, with the Frenchman knocking a forehand into the net to give 2016 ITF World Champion Reid the victory and the latest title for a Brit on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme.

“I’m very pleased with how this week went for me in Rotterdam. Not just the results, but more importantly the performances were massively improved from how I started the year in Australia,” said Reid, who completed the Rotterdam event having beaten Australian Open champion Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina in the semi-finals and Australian Open runner-up Peifer in the final.

Paralympic gold medallist Reid began his singles title defence in Rotterdam with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over fellow Brit Alfie Hewett in another rematch of their Rio 2016 men’s singles final. Hewett was also a finalist in the men’s doubles in Rotterdam, partnering Fernandez.

“It’s always a big opportunity to play alongside and ATP event, so I’m happy to have showcased some of my best tennis on the way to defending my title here. I’m looking forward to a good lengthy training block at home now before getting back to competing in April,” added Reid.

Image courtesy of Hannie Verhoeven

08/02/2017

World Wheelchair Curling Team Announced

The World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2017 will be held in Gangneung, South Korea from the 4^th – 11^th March 2017. Scotland secured their place at the World Championships following a silver medal finish at the World Wheelchair-B Curling Championship 2016 in Lohja, Finland. The team representing Scotland in South Korea will be:

Aileen Neilson (Skip)
Gregor Ewan
Hugh Nibloe (Vice Skip)
Robert McPherson
Angie Malone

The teams competing at the 2017 World Wheelchair Championships will be Russia, China, Norway, USA, Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Scotland and hosts South Korea. The Scots have been handed an opening encounter against Canada on the 4^th March.

Scotland have already ensured Great Britain’s involvement in the Winter Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea from the 9^th – 18^th March 2018.

For more information visit the World Curling Federation website on http://www.worldcurling.org/home

Photo from World Wheelchair-B Championhip 2016 © WCF / Janne Ojanperä

07/02/2017

2017 SDS National Carpet Bowls Championships

The 37^th annual Scottish Disability Sport National Carpet Bowls Championships took place at Dundee International Sports Complex (DISC) on February 4 2017.

This event traditionally is one of the first major events in the competition year and brings together many of the nation’s leading indoor and outdoor bowlers. The quality of the bowling on show was frequently of the highest level and yet again demonstrated the standard of bowler regularly playing in Scotland.

Leisure & Culture Dundee and Dundee City Disability Sport proved to be excellent hosts and DISC is a venue ideally suited to the hosting of this Championships, indeed we hope to return in 2018 to the same venue. Many thanks to all staff involved in the set-up of this event, especially Gordon Quinton, Darren Thomson, Carol Duncan and Sam Thomson.

This year saw players from Highland, Fife, Lothian, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and host branch Dundee compete over 5 sections to determine the leading carpet para-bowlers in the country. It was gratifying to see an increase in the sections with a learning disability and to welcome back the bowlers from a branch with a strong bowling history, South Lanarkshire. More development work is required to unearth bowlers with a physical and sensory disability and SDS and Bowls Scotland will continue to identify bowlers through the grassroots programmes within schools, clubs and branches. SDS Bowls Performance Development Manager Ron McArthur is gathering a picture of provision and accessibility amongst bowling clubs in Scotland and is developing the Regional Indoor Hubs with 4 clubs evidencing progress. Allied to an extensive Coach Education programme and the comprehensive national events programme the sport is well placed to ensure existing and new para-bowlers in all classifications are well catered for in accessible sessions and competition structure.

Interestingly, none of last year’s title winners were able to retain their trophy this year, which only serves to prove the level of competition evident each year at these championships.

Team Highland were celebrating their first trophy in almost two decades with Evan MacKintosh victorious in the Wheelchair section. With previous champion Wullie Harrison in the draws it was certainly well contested. It was, however, another Fife bowler who won through to contest the final with Evan. In a group where three bowlers finished on the same points, Theresa Wyse from Central Fife progressed to the final thanks to her superior points difference, partly achieved with her victory over her stablemate Wullie, however, Evan proved too strong in the final emerging the victor by 11 shots to 4.

In the Mixed Ambulant & B3 section the clever money was on a repeat of the 2016 final between Fife’s Billy Allan – a Commonwealth Games 2014 representative and a member of the current Games squad for 2018 – against Lothian’s Jimmy Restorick. Billy won the 2016 final which brought his title tally to four and he was keen to add the fifth this time around, however the roles were to be reversed this year with Restorick, the Prestonpans bowler in scintillating form and not allowing his experienced opponent from Cowdenbeath a foothold in the final.

In the all-Fife section for restricted ambulant & B2 bowlers two former champions went head to head. Eleanor Clark from Kirkcaldy lost a narrow final to Central Fife’s Neil Laughlin

Fife’s Craig Donaldson has shown incredible consistency in the section for male bowlers with a learning disability, contesting many finals over the years and has also won titles in this section. He was beaten by Lothian’s Alan Gordon – who exited at the semi-final stage this year – in 2016 and it is worth noting that the quality of bowler in this section is remarkable. Andrew Harrison, a previous multiple winner in this section and conqueror of Alan Gordon in the semis, from South Lanarkshire was the man to defeat Craig on this occasion in an incredibly tight affair, Harrison completing the victory 21-19 in a match that kept a ferocious pace throughout.

Thanks as ever go to our Fife office – Norma Buchanan and Richard Brickley MBE who prepared the programme and draw for the event, with Norma providing crucial administration support on the day. Further thanks to Ron McArthur, Bob Christie – Director of Development at Bowls Scotland, and Gordon McCormack OBE, Chairperson of the Glasgow Disability Sport branch for their support of this event.

Officials from local Bowling Clubs all provided officials for the day and without this input the event simply would not be possible. The support was again significant with 30 officials attending on the day and SDS are indebted to all who attended.

This continues to be an incredibly exciting period for bowls in Scotland as preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast gathers momentum and on national attention turns to the new SDS National Indoor Championships in April at Falkirk IBC.

Photo Credit: James Mackie

Photo: L to R: Christine Fisher (Dundee), Evan MacKintosh (Highland), Amanda Craig (Lothian), Neil Laughlin (Fife), Andrew Harrison (S. Lanarkshire) and Jimmy Restorick (Lothian).

06/02/2017

Lothian Phoenix retain the Scottish Cup v St Mirren Warriors

The Scottish Cup this weekend was a closely fought game and definitely presented the sport in a positive light. Colin Chriton, Chair of the Scottish Lord’s Taverners and Ruth Hampton form the Scottish Lord’s Taverners together with Lee Fawcett from RGK Wheelchairs presented the medals. Lord’s Taverners Ambassador for Scotland, Steven Ross, was voted MVP for the game.

Full details can be found on the Basketball Scotland website: http://basketballscotland.co.uk/news_detail/10018699/

03/02/2017

South Lanarkshire Disability Sport: Chairperson

Recruiting body: South Lanarkshire Disability Sport
Closing date: Friday 24 February 2017

South Lanarkshire Disability Sport (SLDS) is a voluntary sport group where the main aim is to lead in the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with key local agencies in the four local authority areas of Camglen, Hamilton, Clydedale, East Kilbride. SLDS is a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) who are the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability. SLDS achieved SDS Minimum Operating Requirements (MOR) which ensures all governance is up to date and appropriate. The committee of SLDS now wishes to appoint a new chair to lead the branch.

Role Title – Chairperson (voluntary)
Organisation – South Lanarkshire Disability Sport (SLDS)
Responsible to – South Lanarkshire Disability Sport committee
Location – South Lanarkshire

Contract – This is a voluntary position but all reasonable expenses will be paid. The chairperson is expected to attend branch meetings, held 4 times per year, club development steering group meetings and other branch events (as available). The Level of time commitment is flexible and will be tailored to suit the applicant’s current commitments and the needs of the branch.

Term – Minimum 2 year (can be re-elected at annual AGM)

Skills Required

Enthusiastic
Well organised
Prepared to make a regular time commitment
To become a PVG Scheme Member through SLDS
Prepared to make instant decisions when necessary
Confident at keeping order during meetings

Main Duties:

To lead the trustee body in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation by ensuring that the charity acts in accordance with its constitution and by managing its activities.

SLDS to maintain SDS Minimum Operating Requirements, supported by SDS.
To optimise the relationship between the trustee body and its staff/volunteers.
Take responsibility for managing the committee and the affairs of the branch.
Oversee and guide all decisions taken by the committee and sub committees
In conjunction with the secretary, prepare and present the annual report
Liaise with the secretary on the agenda for each meeting and approve the minutes before they are circulated
Be completely familiar with the constitution, branch rules, committee procedures and SDS MOR
Liaise with the Treasurer to ensure that funds are spent properly and in the best interests of the branch
Help to prepare and submit any statutory documents that are required (e.g. VAT, grant aid reports)
If unable to attend any committee meetings, a written report should be sent to the meeting and the Vice Chairman briefed on the agenda

Interviews
Monday 6 March 2017 (This date can be flexible if required)

Applications
All applicants should send a note of interest to jennifer.livingstone@scottishdisabilitysport.com detailing why you are interested in the role and any relevant skills and experience.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Jennifer Livingstone on the above email or phone the SDS office on 0131 317 1170.

03/02/2017

East Cross Country Series 3 – Fife

Series 3 of the 2017 East Cross Country Series was held at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy. The event was organised by Disability Sport Fife (DSF) and Fife AC on behalf of Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics. Fife AC provided the officials and Kirkcaldy HS a team of Sports Leaders to assist with the running of the event. Kirkcaldy Rugby Club provided access to their pavilion.

Over 90 Fife athletes with additional support needs registered along with 20 from Lothian and 1 from Perth. The schools from Fife involved were Rosslyn, Levenmouth Academy, Madras College, Bell Baxter HS, Balwearie HS, Lochgelly HS and Woodmill HS. The schools from Lothian were Cedarbank, Pilrig Park and Redhall School. Kilgraston represented the Perth area. Fife AC members were the only club athletes who took part.

The shortest distance event on the programme was 500 metres and Mathew Graham (Redhall), Joy Hutchison (Levenmouth Academy), Shay Dowie (Madras Coll) Eilidia Lennox (Bell Baxter HS) and Jack Wilson (Balwearie HS) were the section winners.

Winners of the 1K girls races were Freya Howgate (Kilgraston), Sophie Coughlin S1(Bell Baxter HS), Jenna Richardson S2 (Madras College), Mari Davidson S2 (Levenmouth Academy), Megan Wilson S3 (Woodmill HS), Chloe Hutchison S4/S5/S6 (Madras College) Fiona Knowles S4/S5/S6 (Madras College), and Kerry Kotlewski S4/S5/S6 (Bell Baxter HS). Sophie Coghlin from Bell Baxter HS recored the fastest girls 1K time of the day – 7.46.

Over 40 boys lined up for the 1 K races. Winners of the boys races were Stephen Davies S1 (Lochgelly HS), Edwin Barron S2 (Woodmill HS), Connor Brown S3 (Woodmill HS), Nathan Lee S3 (Madras College, Dylon McKay S3 (Levenmouth Academy) and Kyle McGrandles S4/S5/S6 (Cedarbank. Dylon McKay from Levenmouth Academy ran the fastest 1k time of the day – 5.47.

17 athletes entered for 2K races and there were six individual sections. The race winners were Hanna Stewart S1/S2 (Madras College), Abbie Steggles S4/S5/S6 (Dunfermline HS), Louise Harley S4/S5/S6 (Lochgelly HS), Leo Henry S1/S2/S3 (Levenmouth Academy), Steven Stone S4/S5/S6 (Pilrig Park) and Ryan Spearman (Fife AC). Abbie Steggles from Dunfermline HS was the fastest girl in a time of 11.51 and Steven Stone from Pilrig Park was the fastest boy over 2K in 8.04.

There was a small entry in the 3K races with the Scottish Champion Owen Miller from Fife AC recording the fastest overall time in winning the senior men’s race – 8.34. The other race winners were Allan Wilson S2 from Levenmouth Academy and Richard Allan S4/S5/S6 also from Levenmouth Academy.

Well done to all the participants who head to Peffermill in Edinburgh for the final race in the East Cross Country Series next month. Thanks again to Steve Doig, Melville Scobie, Frank McLaren and all the other Fife AC officials who played such a major part in the event.

Photo: Madras College

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

02/02/2017

2017 National Badminton Championships

The inaugural Scottish Disability Sport/Lothian Disability Badminton Club (LDBC) Championships were held at Engage Centre, at Edinburgh’s Napier University on Saturday 28th January. Given the inclusion of para-badminton in the programme for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics it is imperative that the pathways from local to national involvement in this fine sport are strengthened. Part of this process is ensuring players are exposed to relevant competitive opportunities against their peers from around Scotland and this event served to fulfil that role with both Scotland’s top players and those slightly newer to the sport competing across 21 sections to determine who would become the first ever champions of this event.

The competition saw sections in the categories of standing, wheelchair and players with a learning disability – with players banded into sub-sections appropriately. In the SL3 section the pre-tournament favourite Alan Oliver was victorious as expected, but not before being tested by his stablemate Colin Leslie in both the group stages and the final. They were to meet again in the final of the doubles event where in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament Alan and Bobby Laing prevented Colin from exacting revenge for his singles defeat. Colin and David Purdie eventually lost 16-21, 22-20, 21-19 however, the match was as close as it gets and it seemed an injustice that one side had to lose. Colin, however, was not to be denied a gold medal and was rewarded for his endeavour by victory in the mixed doubles with the experienced Mary Wilson – a familiar face across many sports on the SDS programme. They defeated Bobby Laing and Dierdrie Nagle in the final. Bobby and Dierdrie did manage to win the SS6 Mixed doubles title beating the Davidson siblings Finlay and Sky. Bobby added a further two gold medals to his collection in the SS6 Singles and the SL4 Singles events defeating Andrew Davidson and David Purdie respectively.

Lothian Disability Badminton Club – so integral to this event’s inauguration – saw further success through player and coach Fiona Christie comfortably won the WH section with further LDBC success in the form of Ross Foley’s doubles win.

The sections for players with a learning disability were very hotly contested with Grant Hunter defeating Michael McGraw in the final of the Class 1 section, reversing the result from the earlier group stage. Michael McGraw was able to taste victory in the Men’s Doubles event though, before Grant Hunter added the Mixed title to his Singles success, partnering Linzi Finnigan to defeat the ever-present Michael McGraw and Jenny Gray. Fife’s Lloyd Simpson and Lothian’s Matthew Power claimed the Class 2 & 3 titles respectively with Diane Gillian doing the Class 1 ‘double’ with title wins in the Singles & Doubles events, partnering Aimee-Leigh Allan.

SDS is grateful to the efforts of all the players who competed, and the officials and volunteers of Badminton Scotland who marshalled the event so expertly on the day. Thanks should also go to Lyndon Williams, who saw this event through from inception to implementation but was regrettably unable to join in the fun on the day as a prior engagement in Wales precluded his involvement. All in all a fantastic first event and one that should become a fixture on the national calendars of both SDS and Badminton Scotland. Thanks to all involved for their efforts in ensuring its undoubted success.

Full results can be found at SDS/ LDBC Tournament Results

Photo Credit: Roselind Hall

Photo (L to R): Men’s Doubles Finalists: David Purdie & Colin Leslie (Runners-up), Bobby Laing & Alan Oliver (Winners)

Mark Gaffney
SDS Events Manager

01/02/2017

Love Selected for Osaka Cup

Rio 2016 Paralympian Robyn Love has been selected for the GB Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team to compete in the Osaka Cup taking place in Japan.

The women’s programme had great success on the world stage in 2016 with the senior team securing their highest ever Paralympic finish and the former SDS Academy Athlete was a key part of that success.

The Osaka Cup provides a great standard of competition that comes at the start of the Tokyo 2020 cycle. Undoubtedly this event will provide an invaluable opportunity to refine travel strategies and work on team dynamics early in the cycle.

For more information please visit the GB British Wheelchair Basketball website:
http://www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/gbwba/index.cfm/news/osaka-cup-team-announcement/

31/01/2017

SDS Coaching Conference – 29 January 2017

89 delegates attended the SDS Coaching Conference in Stirling on Sunday 29 January 2017 and fantastic learning opportunities were on offer throughout the day. Richard Brickley MBE provides his thoughts on the day.

“Nik Diaper, Head of Sport Science and Sports Medicine at the English Institute of Sport, and Matt Hammond, Performance Manager at GB Boccia, provided stimulating keynote addresses on Rio 2016 and planning for Tokyo 2017.

Morning and afternoon workshops in transition tolerance and toughness, leadership and mentoring, nutrition and hydration, developing an adapted programme, communication and planning and preparation for a major event offered delegates lots of food for thought.

A panel session of coaches and athletes involved in Rio and a “looking forward” session from Mike Whittingham, sportscotland’s Director of High Performance, rounded off the very full day programme perfectly.”

Many thanks to all the coaches and support staff who supported the event.