The British men’s class 6 team of Paul Karabardak, Martin Perry and David Wetherill successfully defended their European title in the Team event at the European Para Table Tennis Championships in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Perry, who has relocated from Paisley to Sheffield to train as part of the British Para Table Tennis centralised programme, has been a key part of the team that has now won this event twice in a row. The result is an important milestone in the Scots journey to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Although Perry did not play, he has been an important presence in the team.

“Obviously we have been knocking up as a three with our coach Andrew as well,” said Perry, “and it makes everyone have the perfect practice which has been good. So, I feel that regardless of who has played in the match everyone has come in well prepared and well-focused to go on and get the job done. Paul and Dave ensured that we came out on top, but we have prepared as a unit from start to finish and that is what a team does. It is brilliant to come away as two-time European champions and I hope that I can up my level in the next few years and come back to the next Europeans more in contention to get on the score sheet. But at the moment these guys are levels above and so I just have to keep pushing myself to hopefully one day match them.”

For more information on Martins journey, please visit his website https://martin-perry.co.uk/

I have been meaning for some time to write this tribute to the finest all round Scottish physically disabled athlete it has been my privilege to know in over four decades in Para sport. It was the late Jean Stone MBE who called me one day in the 70s to tell me about an Ayr Academy pupil with a below knee amputation who was pushing the boundaries in so many sports and was destined to become a Paralympian. In Jean’s opinion he was the best she had ever come across and in time I would arrive at the same conclusion. Dave McCrae is perhaps less well known than other Scottish Paralympians but mainly because he has spent most of his life living outside the country of his birth.

Dave excelled in swimming as a youngster and was club champion at Ayr swimming club in 1975. He captained his school rugby team for two years before receiving a life ban from the SRU because of safety I guess as opposed to any specific transgressions. Dave has always been a very competent golfer with a very respectable handicap of 15. He was a keen road runner on a blade for over ten years and turned in quality times over 5k, 10k, 10 mile and half marathon. Dave retired from recreational running in 2014 with a calf injury and has every right to be proud of his PB of 46 minutes for 10K. In his first of four successive Paralympic Games in 1980, Dave finished in 5th place in 100 metres final.

It was however in the sport of standing volleyball where David McCrae excelled at national and international level and became known as Scotland’s best ever volleyball Paralympian in a GB vest. At local level Dave won multiple national titles and Scottish cups with Kilmarnock volleyball club from 1978 through to 2000. Dave is proud of his achievement of earning a place in the Scottish Schools volleyball team in 1979. As a member of the Team GB Para volleyball squad, Dave won 105 caps between 1979 and 1999, won team bronze at the World championships in 1989 and the same at the Euro Cup in 1994. On four occasions the Ayr man was winner of the MVP/Best Setter Award at World or European Championships.

Dave McCrae’s record as a sporting ambassador and representative of Para athletes from all sports was similarly impressive:

• British Paralympic Association (BPA) Athletes Committee, (Member 1990 – 2000, Chair 1994 – 2000)
• British Paralympic Association, (Board Member 1992 – 2000)
• International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletes Commission (Member 1992 – 2000, Chair 1998 – 2000)
• International Paralympic Committee, Board Member 1998 – 2000.
• International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes Commission Member 1998 – 2000.

Dave McCrae graduated with a Bachelor of Education, (Hons) Physical Education & Human Movement (1981 – 1985), Jordanhill College of Education/Strathclyde University. By my reckoning he was the first physically disabled student to be accepted and graduate as a teacher of physical education. Dave was awarded a Master of Science (Honorary) from Glasgow Caledonian University in 1999 and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Strathclyde University with football and rugby “giants” Craig Brown and Ian McLaughlin in 2013.

Dave McCrae enjoyed a very successful career with sportscotland before moving overseas to the USA and carving out an amazing career in transportation. Dave was Manager at the National Sports Centre Inverclyde, Largs, from 1985 – 1993 and then managed the SportScotland, Sports Medicine & Sports Science, programme from 1993 – 1995. Dave became the manager of the TeamSport Scotland, Sport for Disabled People programme from 1995 – 1998 and then moved south to become the Manager, of the UK Sport Lottery Sports Programme, Paralympic Sports, 1998 – 2000.

Dave’s new career in transportation began when he became the Assistant General Manager, Spectator Transport, at Salt Lake Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games, 2000 – 2002. Dave is currently Self-Employed as a Major Event Transportation Consultant, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. What an amazing career and what journey from Ayr to Baltimore.

Dave has been involved in major Games and events all over the world. From the Doha Asian Games in 2006 through to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and projects and programmes in Vancouver, South Africa, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Glasgow, Dubai etc along the way.

Dave remembers with great fondness being selected as the joint Paralympic Games flag bearer along with fellow Scot Isobel Newstead in 1992. What an honour for this proud Scot and strong family man. Dave McCrae has settled in the USA with his Australian wife Sheridan but returns across the pond every so often for a catch up with his many friends back home. Son of Wullie and Marie McCrae of Ayr, Uncle to Andrew, Rona and Alisdair and master of Finn the “dug”, there will never be another quite like the man from Robert Burns country. Along with many others I am proud to know him as a friend and a great supporter of Scottish Disability Sport throughout his career.

Photo: Dave with Fellow Paralympian Caroline Baird MBE

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees.

 

SDS member branches are required to go through a reaccreditation process every three years to ensure they are still fit for purpose. The Minimum Operating Requirements (MOR) covers the 5 key areas of the SDS Strategic Plan 2017-2021:

• Engage and Participate
• Progress and perform
• Coaching, Education and Learning
• Governance
• Communication

At this year’s AGM four of the SDS branches were awarded their certificate for achieving the MOR re-accreditation. Congratulations to Ayrshire Sportsability, Disability Sport Fife, Forth Valley Disability Sport and Highland Disability Sport. The branches work exceptionally hard to complete the MOR and go above and beyond the minimum criteria to ensure there are positive opportunities for athletes and participants in their areas as well as sound governance in place.

The 2019 World Para Swimming Championships took place at the London Aquatics Centre from 9-15 September. GBR had a strong team of 24 athletes competing, four of them Scots: Stephen Clegg, Louis Lawlor, Scott Quin and Toni Shaw.

The British team had a very successful meet, claiming 47 medals: 19 gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze, finishing second on the medal table behind Italy. With less than a year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics it was the perfect preparation.

The Scots on the team all contributed to the medal tally with some outstanding performances. None more so than Toni Shaw, whom was making her debut at the World event, as she won six medals – 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze.

Toni Shaw summed up her week, saying:

“It’s been a crazy week – a great experience. To end it with that race and those girls is really special.”

Louis Lawlor was also making his debut at the event as he continues to rise to prominence in the S14 class for swimmers with an intellectual impairment. Lawlor claimed a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke.

Lawlor was delighted with his performance and said:

“That was a huge surprise, I didn’t expect that at all. It’s a dream come true. One race, one final, one bronze! I’ve loved every minute here and this will give me a platform to move forward.”

Para swimming stalwart, Scott Quin, continues his fine form in the SB14 100m breaststroke as he delivered a silver medal, pipped by the Naohide Yamaguchi (JPN) who broke Quins WR in doing so.

Quin said of his race:

“I would have liked to have executed things a bit better. I came into the final a bit more relaxed than the heat and it’s the fourth time this season I’ve gone 65 for the event.”

Speaking about Yamaguchi taking his World Record, Quin said:

“It’s good to see the youngsters coming through and making improvements and you have to applaud that. I think he’s 18 and I’m 29 so I have to accept it when people go faster than me.”

Stephen Clegg is also realising his potential at this level by winning a silver medal in the S12 100m Butterfly final. Clegg turned first at the 50m mark and was shoulder to shoulder with Dzmitry Salei (BLR) in the final 15m. It was the athlete from Belarus who took the touch in 57.28, with Clegg winning silver in 57.36.

Despite being so close to gold, Clegg was far from disappointed and said,

“I’m really happy with that result. I’ve progressed again and that’s all you can ask for. I’ve learned a lot from the last twelve months, and I can take all of this to Tokyo. I’m thrilled, and the crowd, wow! I had goosebumps today.”

Eight Scottish athletes are heading for Dubai, after selection for the GB&NI squad at the World Para Athletics Championships in November. It’s a strong showing from the Scots, that list of eight names an increase from the London 2017 World Para Champs where four Scottish athletes made the selection – the addition of RaceRunning to the competition for the first time a welcome development, which has helped to swell those numbers.

On the track, Sammi Kinghorn will defend her T53 100m title, attained in London, and also makes the Universal 4x100m relay squad. RaceRunners Kayleigh Haggo and Gavin Drysdale will compete in the RR3 100m. Maria Lyle will line up in the T35 100m and 200m, while Libby Clegg returns to competition following the birth of her son, selected for both the T11 200m and the Universal 4x100m relay. There’s great news for Owen Miller, who is selected for the T20 1500m after his performance at the Manchester International.

In the field, Stef Reid will defend her 2017 title in the T64 Long Jump, while Jo Butterfield competes in the F51 Club Throw.

There’s good news also for Ben Rowlings, who – while not Scottish for competition purposes – lives in Stirling and trains with Red Star AC – he’s selected for the T34 100m, 400m and 800m.

CEO of scottishathletics, Mark Munro, said: “It’s superb to see so many of our Para athletes gaining selection for the World Championships, and they can be rightly proud. I know this achievement comes after a huge amount of hard work, not only by the athletes, but also their coaches, families and supporters.

“Knowing how much effort the Scottish RaceRunning community has put into moving this discipline onto the world stage makes it particularly pleasing to see Kayleigh and Gavin selected for their first World Champs. And of course, we know they will have in their minds on the late Janice Eaglesham, who coached them and did so much for RaceRunning and Scottish Para sport in general.

“Seeing Sammi, Jo, Stef and Maria return to the World Champs after competing in London is a sign of their ongoing determination and commitment, and it’s great to have Libby back on the track and running at elite level once again. I’m delighted to see Owen step up to compete at this level, a deserved selection after a fine run at the Manchester International. Congratulations to all the athletes, and we look forward to watching them compete in Dubai.”

The selections in full:

Jo Butterfield (Phil Peat / Shona Malcolm; Forth Flyers) – F51 Club Throw
Libby Clegg (Joe McDonnell; Charnwood) [Guide Runner: Thomas Somers (Benke Blomkvist; Newham & Essex Beagles)] – T11 200m & Universal 4x100m relay
Kayleigh Haggo (Ian Mirfin; Red Star) – RR3 100m
Sammi Kinghorn (Ian Mirfin; Red Star) – T53 100m & Universal 4x100m relay
Maria Lyle (Jamie Bowie; Team East Lothian) – T35 100m & 200m
Stef Reid (Aston Moore; Charnwood) – T64 Long Jump
Gavin Drysdale (Ian Mirfin; Red Star) – RR3 100m
Owen Miller (Steven Doig; Fife) – T20 1500m

https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/news-and-features/british-athletics-announce-stellar-squad-for-the-2019-world-para-athletics-championships/

https://www.paralympic.org/dubai-2019

Forbes Dunlop, Chief Operating Officer at sportscotland brought to a close a highly successful 56th Annual General Meeting of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). This year’s AGM was held at the Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling on Sunday 15th September and once again incorporated the running of the annual SDS Branch Conference. 81 members, athletes and players, friends and representatives from partner agencies attended the AGM.

The AGM opened with an emotional tribute to former Chair Janice Eaglesham MBE who sadly and unexpectedly passed away on the 21st July 2019. SDS Acting Chair Claire Morrison then welcomed those in attendance and thanked the key staff, coaches, volunteers and key partners for their hard work and commitment throughout the year. Attendees were informed that, in accordance with the SDS Articles of Association, the Board would appoint an interim Chair at the next Board meeting and that former Vice Chair, Catherine Goodfellow would take up this post. The election of directors of the Association followed and resulted in the following individuals being elected:

Directors
Oliver Barsby
Jay Runga
Rob Wilson

The Guest Speaker for the 2019 AGM was GB and Scotland Wheelchair Curling Coach, Sheila Swan who delivered an informative and entertaining presentation on her journey and experiences in the sport.

CEO Gavin Macleod reported on progress made during the past year in relation to the SDS strategic plan, “Inspiring Through Inclusion; 2017-2021” and also laid out the timeline and the consultation process for the next strategic plan.

Sheila Swan was then joined by Bill Hogg, on behalf of the Russell Hogg Trust, to present the SDS Awards to athletes, coaches and volunteers. The main award of the evening, the Gordon Brown Memorial Trophy for the Athletes’ Athlete of the Year, was awarded to Fife athlete Derek Rae.

The afternoon concluded with the AGM closing remarks being delivered by Forbes Dunlop who congratulated SDS on the successes of the year gone by and outlined how SDS contributed significantly to the new sportscotland national strategy, Sport for Life.

Click here for a copy of the slides from the SDS AGM of 2019.

SDS AWARD WINNERS 2019

MOR Certificate
Ayrshire Sportsability
Disability Sport Fife
Forth Valley Disability Sport
Highland Disability Sport

Russell Hogg Bursary
Sam Fernando
Cameron Radigan

Archie Cameron Bursary
Abbie McNally

Special Recognition Award
Tracey McCillen

Special Olympics Trophy
2019 World Games Team

John de Courcy Trophy
Fin Graham

Glasgow Trophy
Bob Dick

Elspeth Watson Trophy
Jack Calder

Russell Hogg Trophy
Pamela Robson

Fife Trophy
Sheila Swan

Dedication to Para-Football
Craig Milne

Findlay Calder Trophy
Derek Rae

Brian Dolan Memorial Trophy
Scott Quin

Angus Trophy
Scottish Wheelchair Curling Team

Gordon Brown Memorial Trophy
Derek Rae