Category: A News

Gordon Reid & Alfie Hewett into First All-British Grand Slam Singles Final in Open Era

Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid made history at the US Open in New York on Friday night when Hewett’s 6-0, 6-1 victory over Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez and Reid’s 6-0, 6-3 victory over Stephane Houdet of France resulted in the first all-British singles final at any of the four Grand Slam tournaments in the Open Era.

Both supported by the LTA’s Elite Wheelchair Programme, Hewett and then Reid each produced sensational performances in their respective semi-finals on Louis Armstrong Stadium as Hewett booked his place in his seventh successive men’s singles final in his seven US Open appearances since 2017. After completing victory over Fernandez with an ace after exactly an hour of play, world No.2 Hewett, said:

“It’s a good feeling. To reach another final is something I’m very happy with, but I set my standards high. It looks good out there, but I believe that can become my norm. It’s what we train for, to be able to produce performances like that.”

Looking ahead to the potential of an all-British final on Sunday, Hewett added:

“It’s good for British tennis, obviously, and it’s good for wheelchair tennis. In the UK we want to promote it as much as possible and having two Brits in a final, you can’t ask for much more. It really puts the sport on the map and exposes the sport to a wider audience.”

The first set of world No.7 Reid’s fourth US Open semi-final since 2013 was almost a carbon copy of Hewett’s performance as he took the opener after winning 24 points and restricted the Frenchman to just seven. After completing his victory in an hour and six minutes, Reid, the 2016 Australian Open and Wimbledon championl, said:    

“There have been a few tough losses here over the years and a few very close matches as well, so I’m ecstatic to finally get over the line and reach my first singles final here. I’m really happy with the performance today and I executed the game plan really well. I’m going to be up against someone I know really well and it’s going to be a big challenge, but I’m looking forward to the match already. I’ve got nothing to lose on Sunday.”

Elsewhere, Andy Lapthorne’s hopes of lifting a third US Open quad singles title came to an end after a 6-2, 6-1 loss to world No.1 Niels Vink of the Netherlands. Lapthorne will have chance to try and avenge that loss on Saturday when he partners South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi in the quad doubles final. The reigning French Open champions face No.1 seeds Sam Schroder and Vink.

Saturday’s penultimate day of play in New York will also see Derbyshire duo Dahnon Ward and Joshua Johns bid to complete a British title double as the second edition of the US Open Junior Wheelchair Tennis Championships comes to a close.

Ward, runner-up in the boys’ singles last year, returned to the final this year after beating Austrian second seed Maximilian Taucher 6-1, 6-3. He will now play Italian No.1 seed Francesco Felici.      

Meanwhile, Johns and Ward beat the No.2 seeds, Ivar van Rijt of the Netherlands and Australian Benjamin Wenzel,  7-6(5), 6-1 to reach the boys’ doubles final. They will now play American duo Charlie Cooper and Tomas Majetic for the title.

East Disability Badminton Come & Try Event

Badminton Scotland are delighted to be delivering a Disability Badminton Come and Try Session. This event is specifically designed to introduce young people and adults with a physical or learning disability to badminton.  Since Badminton is a Paralympic sport, we are on the lookout for those who have a physical disability to join our pathway programmes.

Date: 23rd September

Venue: Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS

Time: 14:00-16:00

Cost: no cost to attend

Register online here

Vacancy: Disability Sport Glasgow (SCIO) Vice Chairperson (Voluntary)

Disability Sport Glasgow (SCIO) are looking for a person to take up the position of Vice Chairperson within their Charitable Organisation.

Skills/Qualities Required:

  • Able to support Chair Person
  • Able to stand in for Chair in their absence
  • Enthusiastic, friendly, approachable
  • Good organisational skills
  • Prepared to make a regular time commitment
  • Prepared to make decisions when necessary
  • Able to undertake some public speaking and chair meetings
  • Able to delegate to committee members
  • Run efficient meetings

Main duties:

  1. Support and if required, manage the executive committee and the affairs of the Branch.
  2. In the Chair’s absence oversee and guide all decisions taken by the executive committee and sub committees.
  3. Help to prepare and submit any statutory documents that are required (OSCR, grant aid reports).
  4. Support the secretary on the agenda and reports. Be familiar with the Constitution, club rules, committee procedures and all SDS rules and regulations.
  5. Liaise and support the Treasurer to ensure that financial aspects are appropriately managed. Keep abreast of all developments from SDS that involve the Glasgow Branch.

This role would:

  • Allow the person to extend their professional network
  • Give development opportunities such as event management, Disability Awareness, Safeguarding
  • Allow the person to work with similarly minded colleagues to help shape and support a wide range and young people and adults with a disability often excluded from mainstream clubs.

For more information, please contact: John Owens (Chair Person) john.owens17@ntlworld.com, Mobile No: 07854 821053

SDS receive Young Start award from the National Lottery Community Fund 

We are delighted to announce that we have received a Young Start award from The National Lottery Community Fund.
This funding will empower more young people (aged between 16 – 24) living with vision impairment, hearing loss, physical and learning disabilities to gain new skills, qualifications and experiences with the support of mentors. We will support young people to become sports coaches and leaders within their local communities throughout Scotland.
The programme is for young people, designed by young people. Young people are truly at the heart of the design, development and review of the programme.
The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said:
“We are always keen to support projects that put Scotland’s young people at the heart of the development and running of services.”
Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, commented:

“Scottish Disability Sport would like to thank the National Lottery Community fund for its continued support of our Young Start programme. This funding will make a significant impact on the lives of the young people involved and allow us to help participants meet their full potential through physical activity and sport.”

The SDS Young Start Futures team commented:
“We will be the voice of young people in Scotland. We are the future. We will inspire the future.” 
If you (or someone you know) would like to benefit from the Young Start programme, apply before the 18th September at https://sds.justgo.com/workbench/public/events?ref=566174801C7E8E3ECB4E0C0AD63C909A765B94EB where you’ll also find more information.

Go Kids Go Wheelchair Skills Training

Free, fun and inclusive sessions for 2-18 year olds. Extra wheelchairs are provided so the whole family can join in.

  • Manual or powered wheelchairs
  • Propulsion and manoeuvring
  • Slopes and rough ground
  • Back wheel balancing
  • Road safety
  • Emergency evacuation techniques
  • Wheelchair sports and dance
  • Aberdeen, Saturday 14th October: Aberdeen
  • Glasgow, Monday 16th October: Glasgow
  • Edinburgh, Tuesday 17th October: Edinburgh
Scottish Swimmers from the British Swimming Team emerge onto poolside wearing their British Swimming kit.

Scottish Success at World Para Swimming Championships

After weeks of top-level aquatic competition in Fukuoka, the baton has been passed onto Manchester, as the city gears up to host the World Para Swimming Championships from 31 July to 6 August.

Descending on the northern powerhouse are 546 swimmers from 67 nations around the globe – as the world’s best para swimmers set their sights on world titles, records and personal bests, one year out from the Paris Paralympic Games. Seven Scots will make a splash in the 2002 Commonwealth Games venue as part of a 28-strong Great Britain team, which features multiple Paralympic and World Champions. There were multiple medallists and finalist from the Scottish swimmers who were part of the GB team. Congratulations to all swimmers on their excellent performances

Relays

49 points  mixed 4x 100m medley relay Stephen Clegg and his teammates finished 4th

49 points mixed 4 x 100 medley relay Stephen Clegg and his teammates finished 4th

34 points 4x100m Medley 34pts Relay, the quartet of Sam Downie, Faye Rogers and Ollie Carter with teammate , Maisie Summers-Newton came 6th

34 points 4x100m Medley 34pts Relay, included Sam Downie, Faye Rogers and Ollie Carter with teammate , Grace Harvey came 8th

S14  4 x 100 mixed medley relay Scott Quin and his teammates finished in Silver medal position

Individual Finalist

 

Faye Rogers (Grampian)

S10 100 metres freestyle – 7th &  Scottish Record

S10 100m butterfly – Gold  & European Record

S10 200IM – Bronze

S10 400m Freestyle – Bronze

 

Toni Shaw (Grampian)

S9 400m freestyle – Bronze

SM9 200 IM – 7th

S9 100m butterfly – 5th

 

Stephen Clegg (Lothian)

S12 100m freestyle- Silver

S12 100 back – Gold

S12 100m fly – Silver

S12 50m freestyle – 4th

 

Scott Quin (Lothian)

SB14 100m Breaststroke

 

Sam Downie (Lothian)

S8 400m freestyle – 7th

S8 100m backstroke – Bronze

 

Louis Lawlor (Glasgow)

S14 100m backstroke  – 6th

 

Ollie Carter

S10 400m freestyle – 5th

 

Speaking of the competition as a whole, Paul Wilson, Scottish Swimming Disability Performance Development Manager said:

“It’s fantastic to see the success of our Scottish Para Swimmers as part of the Great Britain team at the World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester this past week. There have been a number of standout performances.

If you or anyone you know would like to get involved in swimming please contact: admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or Telephone 0131 317 1130

Get Out Get Active Tayside Launches New Website For All Things GOGA All In One Place

Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Tayside is a collaboration between NHS Tayside and Scottish Disability Sport and is dedicated to providing fun, free & inclusive physical activity opportunities where people of all abilities can be active together. Funding for the programme has been successfully secured for a further two years with special thanks to Tayside Health Fund. This evidences the collective support and action needed to help address the Public Health priority of a physically active Scotland and to continue strengthening links between physical activity and health.

In line with the renewed support, GOGA Tayside have now launched their brand-new website which will make all information available at the click of a button. The site will feature weekly timetables, class information, testimonials, meet the team and so much more. There are also a range of photos and new videos which will let you see what to expect at any GOGA activities before coming along.

The website is available NOW at www.gogatayside.co.uk.

Thank you to everyone at SDS for their continued support of the GOGA programme in Tayside. We have a further 23 months of funding and very much look forward to continuing our successful partnership working together, especially encouraging more people of all abilities to be more active together.

Vacancy: LEAP Sports Project Officer

We are looking for a new full-time Project Officer to develop and deliver our Glasgow based work. The successful candidate will have a key role in supporting our work to improve equality & human rights for LGBTIQ+ people in Scottish sport. Would you like to:

  • coordinate and deliver our programmes to the LGBTIQ+ community in Glasgow and surrounding area improving equality, and health and wellbeing through access and participation in sport and physical activity
  • work with our national club network to support club and community development, playing a key role in delivering Festival Fortnight and other national level collaborative activity
  • develop and drive specific initiatives and networks such as Football v Homophobia Scotland

If so, we want to hear from you.

Full information can be found on the LEAP Sports website here.

The closing date for applications is 18th August 2023 and interviews will be held on 28th-29th August.

Badminton Come & Try – Tollcross Leisure Centre

SDS are excited to announce there will be a badminton come and try event at Tollcross Leisure Centre.

The event will take place on Saturday 26th August from 12-2pm.

The session is open to people with a disability for all age groups and free to attend. So, if you have an interest in badminton whether you are a beginner or experienced to the sport then please come along!

West Disability Badminton Come & Try

Young Person’s Sports Panel Recruitment 2023 Extended

 

SDS are recruiting now for the next cohort of the Young Person’s Sports Panel! You can apply using the form below which also has all the information you need to know about the panel.

SDS YPSP Application 2023

The Young Person’s Sport Panel is a voice for young people with disabilities in sport. The group is a key consultation group for the SDS staff and board. We are recruiting for a new cohort of panel members for a term of 3 years.

As part of the Young Person’s Sports Panel, you will:

  • Inspire through inclusion
  • Change lives through sport
  • Influence the future of disability sport in Scotland
  • Attend development courses, national conferences, and events
  • Connect with and influence people, communities, and organisations

Who are we looking for?

  •  People living in Scotland
  •  Young people with a disability aged between 16 -24
  •  People who are committed and enthusiastic about disability sport
  •  People who can commit between 8 and 12 hours a month. Depending on personal circumstances
  •  People who are able to attend meetings every 2 months, these will be a mix of virtual and in-person meetings
  •  People who are passionate about making a difference in disability sport