When I first became involved in disability sport on moving to Fife in the mid-70s, I met many amazing people who introduced me to a new style of volunteering. Up until then I had been heavily involved in school, rugby and community volunteering but turning my attention to disability sport introduced me to a new type of volunteering and a different kind of person.

Enter Ricky McMahon from the west of Scotland. I first met Ricky because he is the father of one of Scotland’s most talented wheelchair athletes – Susan McMahon Stevenson. Susan excelled in a number of sports but I had the privilege of working with her in swimming. Back in Fife I was working closely with parents of children with spina bifida and in the west of Scotland Ricky was an active parent member of a similar group. For the next 20 years plus or so our paths crossed regularly because of our shared interest in disability sport and children and young people with disabilities specifically.

Ricky was the” different kind of person” I referred to in my first paragraph. In truth he was at that time the most amazing volunteer I ever had the privilege of working with. I learned so much from Ricky about care, patience, resilience, thinking on the run, planning and preparation, selecting the right people for task in hand etc. There was a time when the first name on every staff team list for national and international events was Ricky McMahon. A Tulliallan multi spots training weekend coach/volunteer list was never complete until Ricky had registered his availability. Ricky was the best “wing man” you could ask for and on overnight projects you could guarantee he would be the first to volunteer for through the night duties.

The late Bob Mitchell was my first mentor in disability sport. Bob relied on Ricky so much and towards the end of his life when he was unable to drive Ricky was always there when required. Ricky was top of Bob’s Tulliallan volunteer list and Ricky’s role with Temple Swimming Club was massive. Like me Bob relied heavily on Ricky and recognised fully the extent of his caring and coaching qualities. The SSBA set up a multi sports session at Bishopbriggs Sports Centre that thrived because of input from Ricky and others. Ricky’s commitment involved everything from collecting youngsters in the minibus to coaching and care duties. An exceptional man and such a caring human being.

I must thank David and Elizabeth Colquhoun for sending me the attached photo of Ricky. In my photo archives I do not have an equivalent photo of the man I would describe as the most exceptional volunteer I have ever come across in disability sport. Ricky just had everything from immense stamina and staying power to amazing relationships with athletes and fellow volunteers/coaches. Ricky was much loved, highly respected and during his time in disability sport contributed so much to Scottish Disability Sport/SSAD during the early years.

Ricky will always be my role model disability sport volunteer and if this article ever reaches his eyes then it will make my day. Ricky, thanks a million for your many years of dedication to OUR cause on behalf of the many people whose lives you have influenced.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

Cadyn Thomson was born in 2003 with Cerebral Palsy (CP). In Cadyn’s case it affects both legs. He’s never let his disability hold him back. Sport has been a constant theme throughout his life. His earliest sporting memory is of going swimming with his gran to the Perth Dolphins Swimming Club when he was 5. He loved the water, and for 4 years, swimming was unquestionably his favourite sport.

That changed when, aged nine, he attended a monthly family sports day at St Johns’ campus. The family sports day was organised by Perth & Kinross Disability Sport (PKDS). It was an opportunity for people in Perth & Kinross to go along and try a range of disability sports. In Cadyn’s case the sport he tried and was instantly hooked by was table tennis. It became an instant passion. And, thanks to his own determination and the coaching of Pat Duffy and Ralph Laahs, he was able to develop to a very good standard.

Football though was always the sport he was most passionate about. Being a Perth lad, he is of course a loyal Saints fan. And while Perth proudly has a Premier League club, unfortunately, it didn’t have a CP football team. Undeterred and thanks to the support of his family, Cadyn joined Syngenta FC who are based near Grangemouth. While the round-trip of around an hour and a half was far from ideal, it was worth it. He thrived and training with his friends became the highlight of his week.

Sadly, that wasn’t to last.

If you know anything about CP, you’ll know that young people with the condition regularly have treatments to help stretch muscles so that they can grow with the bones. In some cases, including Cadyn’s, operations are required. Cadyn has had two major operations to lengthen his hamstrings and reposition his feet. Following one of those operations in 2013 Cadyn lost some mobility and never quite got back into football.

At the age of 9 he was effectively forced to give up his favourite sport.

While this made him sad and dented his confidence for a short period of time, Cadyn’s remarkable strength of character shone through. He went along to his first Scottish Disability Sports camp. There he was introduced to sailing, archery and boccia.

“Going along to the Scottish Disability Sports camp helped make me become more independent as I was away from my family and home for the first time.” Cadyn Thomson

Cadyn’s first time at the camp was so positive and he’s returned every year since.

In 2019 Cadyn experienced wheelchair basketball for the first time after PKDS made him aware of a Basketball Scotland taster session. He was a natural and before long the sport was his new passion. It wasn’t his first ever experience of shooting hoops though. That came in 2015 when he had the trip of a lifetime to Disneyland Florida thanks to the charity Dream Flight. That first basketball memory has really stuck with him.

“I made my first basket and that gave me such a sense of joy. That’s when I started following basketball.”

He now plays with Perth Eagles and Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports club. His greatest basketball achievement came in late 2019 while playing for the Dundee Dragons. Representing NBA team Utah Jazz, he won gold with his Dragons team at the Jr NBA event in Perth. An incredible experience and one that reinforced his love of the game. Cadyn has also started his journey to becoming a coach with the Eagles.

“I really enjoy this because I get to meet new people while gaining skills in coaching and other wheelchair sports.” Cadyn Thomson

And, speaking of wheelchair sports, he’s got his eyes firmly set on a new one. It’s fair to say that rugby league wasn’t a sport that held much appeal to Cadyn, but the wheelchair variant absolutely does. It’s fast, frenetic and a lot of fun. The skills he’s learned in wheelchair basketball transfer nicely to Rugby League. The chairs are different but he’s confident he can make the adaptation.

There’s a real universal truth in Cadyn’s experience. So many people with disabilities dismiss certain sports because they don’t think they’ll enjoy them. It’s only when they get a real, hands-on opportunity to try it for themselves. Much like Cadyn, they are pleasantly surprised by how much joy they get from a new sport.

“Sport has been a significant part of my life, having been an attendee at the Scottish Disability Sports camp for the last seven years. That introduced me to things like sailing, archery and boccia.” Cadyn Thomson

Cadyn is one of the most inspirational young people we’ve met at PKDS. Although he’d hate to admit it, he makes a big impression on everyone he meets. He’s also ambitious and is looking to complete industry recognised coaching qualifications in basketball, tennis and rugby. In addition to that, he’s keen to secure a place on the Scottish Disability Sport Young Persons’ Sports Panel.

“I would love to be on the sports panel to help bring disability sports into the more rural areas of Scotland. It’s vitally important we make sport more accessible for people who don’t have the use of transport.” Cadyn Thomson

We know that Cadyn will go on to achieve great things in sport and beyond. We’ll be following his journey closely and continuing to offer our support every step of the way.

“I’ve known Cadyn for a number of years now. Cadyn’s journey in sport is quite simply inspirational! Although he’s experienced setbacks over the years, he’s shown determination and resilience to bounce back. His cheeky personality and supportive approach make him very popular with his teammates and coaches. Everyone looks up to Cadyn. He’s a positive role model who shares his knowledge and experience to help others. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him as we support his development in coaching.” Graeme Doig, Perth & Kinross Disability Sport.

“I feel like if I can give people the passion I have for sport I can help support a new  generation of athletes. Ultimately, my dream would be to be a professional coach. As a coach, if I can make one person enjoy one thing then it’s a successful day. My message to anyone who isn’t sure, is to come down, give it a try, because you never know what you’ll enjoy.” Cadyn Thomson

105 athletes, coaches, volunteers, family members and partners tuned in on Zoom on Monday 22nd June for the Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) Annual Awards presentations. There were groups gathered around screens offering silent applause along the way as each of the awards was announced. 43 awards were made in 25 categories plus 7 sports bursaries.

Almost 100 nominations were received this year, indicating how the annual awards have grown in popularity in the last few years. All nominations were made through Facebook during these challenging times.

Richard Brickley, Chairman of Disability Sport Fife was the MC for the 80-minute programme with support from Scottish Disability Sport colleagues. Thank you to all those families and significant others who facilitated the attendance of many athlete members at the awards evening.

Martin Lee from Balmullo was inducted into the Disability Sport Fife Hall of Fame for services to Great Britain Deaf swimming and achievements at three Deaflympics.

1. and 2 – Access Awards (significant achievement in sport over many years Eric Boyle – Scottish Autism Emma Mason – West Fife CSS
3. Swimmer of the Year – The Leslie Inglis Trophy – Ollie Carter, Cupar – University of Stirling
4. Most Improved Swimmer of the Year – Paul Noble Award (Woodlands Parents Cup) Cameron Hemphill Carnegie Swimming Club and Cerys Venters Scott Carnegie SC
5. Athlete of the Year – Colin Keay Award – Derek Rae Fife Athletic Club
6. Most Improved Athlete of the Year – In Memory of John de Courcy (Jack Rennie Cup) Owen Miller Fife AC and Sam Fernando Fife AC
7. Bowler of the Year – McLean Award (Female) Pamela Mitchell Headwell BC
8. Bowler of the Year – McLean Award (Male) Glen Livingston Arbroath
9. Footballer of the Year – Penman Family Award – Leo Cord – Balwearie High School and Ryan Baird Lochgelly High School
10. Wheelchair Athlete of the Year – The Ian McNab Memorial Trophy – Tyler McLelland Windygates
11. Badminton Player of the Year – John Hick Cup – Robert Anderson Glenrothes
12. Junior Sports Person of the Year – Aileen Harper Award – Katie Pake Carnegie SC
13. Lifetime Achievement Awards – Gary Innes Award – Martin Lee Balmullo and Tracy Barber Burntisland
14. Junior Endeavour Awards – Caroline Baird Award- Christina Murray; Cameron Adam; Ruby McDonald; Niamh Currie; Finlay Davidson; Owen Carmichael.
15. Senior Endeavour Awards – Lara Ferguson / Andrew Lindsay Awards – Connor Brown; Carter Taylor; Jonny Brown; Mary Wilson.
16. Special Achievements Awards – in memory of Ian Cowper – Jaz McNeill; John Sapsed; Ryan Devlin; Pauline Bryson; Kearney Horne
17. Coach of the Year – Eddie Campbell Award – Steve Doig Fife AC
18. Emerging Coaches of the Year – Ann Swann Award – Lucy Walkup and Gabby Doig
19. Special Recognition Awards – Adam Morley Award – Mo McNeill DSF boccia coach
20. Volunteer Special Recognition – Anne Hay Award – Emily Greig; Andy Mathieson; Ross Cameron
21. Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Champion of the Year – Lee Cunningham Aquatics Manager
22. GOGA in Fife Award supported by Spirit of 2012 – Volunteer of the Year – Adam Faulds Glenrothes
23. Service to Sport – Steve Donnelly Award – John Collins bowls
24. Ambassador of the Year – Alec Thorburn Award – Janice Graves PT Woodmill High School
25. Member Organisation of the Year – David Thomson Award – Carnegie Swimming Club
26. Posthumous award was presented to Kyle Baxter from West Fife CSS for his significant contribution to Disability Sport Fife. Kyle is a former pupil of Woodmill HS.
27. Bill Pullar Award – was presented to Cameron Hemphill from Carnegie SC and Bell Baxter HS.
28. STV Junior Bursaries – were presented to Katie Pake; Cameron Adam; Finlay Davidson; Zoe McNulty; Tyler McLelland; Christina Murray

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees