Category: A News

Fife boccia player wins third title of the season

Tyler McLelland from Windygates has continued his excellent run of fine form with another regional boccia win at the Right on Target invitation competition in the Forth Valley Branch of SDS.

Tyler enjoyed a very close match against Fiona Muirhead in the final of the BC4 section but held his nerve to lift his third title of the season. On his way to the final Tyler won two from three of his qualifying matches.

Tyler is coached by mum Emma and supported by dad Mark and trains on the performance boccia court at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre in Glenrothes, courtesy of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Tyler is also being mentored by fellow Scot Stephen McGuire, one of the leading BC4 boccia players in the world.

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

Euro Success for Scottish Boccia Players

The 2019 BISFed European Boccia Championships concluded over the weekend and it was a hugely successful event for Boccia UK and an important milestone in Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games qualification.

The British team of 10 players, included four members of the Scottish programme, including: Reegan Stevenson (BC1), Patrick Wilson (BC3), Jamie McCowan (BC3) and Stephen McGuire (BC4).  These players were supported by a further three Scots in lead coach, Claire Morrison and ramp assistants, Linda McCowan and William Wilson.

Individual Competition

The competition began with the individual event and there were some tough matches for all players.  McCowan and McGuire managed to progress to the quarter finals whilst Stevenson and Wilson bowed out in the group stages.  McCowan reached the Semi final following a very good performance, whilst McGuire’s individual competition ended with a 3-4 defeat.  Sadly, McCowan had to settle for 3 / 4 play-off following defeat in his match.  McCowan won the European Championships in 2017 and he used all his experience in the bronze medal match to ensure that the he reached the podium.

Team & Pairs Competition

The European Championships ended with the Team & Pairs competition and it was this event that delivered a huge amount of success for the Scottish players.

Stevenson was making his debut at this level and is the most recent Scot to progress through our programme to represent Boccia UK.  He formed a Team with David Smith (BC1), Will Hipwell (BC2) and Claire Taggart (BC2). The Team battled through the competition to deliver a bronze medal and much needed ranking points ahead of Tokyo 2020.

In the BC3 Pair competition Wilson and McCowan teamed up with Jess Hunter, in a now very experienced trio.  They developed through the group stages and finally bowed out at the semi final stages.  However, they delivered a bronze medal in the 3 / 4 playoff.

The BC4 Pair, led by Stephen McCowan, included the ever improving Evie Edwards and Louis Saunders cruised through the group stages, won their quarter-final and their semi-final.  However, the final proved a bridge too far and they had to settle for a silver medal.

Boccia UK will be delighted with the outcome of their latest major championships as the players and the coaching team continue their preparations for next years Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Full Boccia UK Results

Individual
BC1: David Smith (Gold)
BC2: Claire Taggart (Silver)
BC3: Jamie McCowan (Bronze)

Team and Pairs
BC1/2: Reegan Stevenson, David Smith, Will Hipwell, Claire Taggart (Bronze)
BC3: Jamie McCowan, Patrick Wilson & Jess Hunter (Bronze)
BC4: Stephen McGuire, Louis Saunders & Evie Edwards (Silver)

Learn to Curl Programme

Disability Curling at The PEAK

Our disability inclusion classes offer two distinct curling sessions at The PEAK tailored to support those living with a disability. Our sessions are a great introduction to the sport of curling consisting of 1 hour of coaching with a qualified Active Stirling or Scottish Curling instructor. Get involved in this great sport, meet new friends and have fun on the ice. Carers are welcome to attend for free and would be encouraged to take part on the ice.

Learn to Curl – Disability

Curling Stick Coaching

Stick curling sessions are for existing stick curlers and also for those who are new to the stick delivery on the ice If you are an existing curler, thinking about switching, or just want to increase your current stick skills – this class is for you! Each session is coached by Scottish Curling qualified coaches. For new and experienced stick curlers.

Learn to Curl – Stick Curling

Lothian Wolves Head Coach takes up National role

Lothian Wolves Powerchair Football team head coach Steven Miller has enjoyed a successful couple of months both on and off the pitch.

The Edinburgh based coach was named as the Scottish Powerchair Football Association (SPFA) Volunteer of the year at the inaugural awards ceremony held in June before being invited to become assistant coach with the Scotland National squad.  The SPFA highlighted that ‘Steven has worked tirelessly to build the relatively new club in the Edinburgh area, dedicating much of his own time to the sport.  He has brought together a collection of athletes who display determination, skill and respect in all that they do’.

This topped off a remarkable second season for the head coach, who led Lothian Wolves to the Championship title for the second year running as well as guiding them to a 3rd place finish in this season’s Scottish Cup competition.  These achievements are even more remarkable given that Lothian Wolves have only been established and competing for just over two years.  Lothian Wolves will now make the step into the Premiership for the coming season and test themselves against some of the more established and long running sides across Scotland.

Miller has been involved with the club since its inception in 2016 when the sessions were established by local branch, Lothian Disability Sport and he remains very much at the centre of the development in the Edinburgh and surrounding areas.

Miller commented on his achievements, ‘I’m delighted and extremely grateful for the opportunity and hope that I can make a positive contribution to the National team’.

Powerchair football continues to go from strength to strength across Scotland and the sport now boasts many opportunities across the country to become involved.  For further information on the sport, please visit the SPFA website – https://thespfa.org/.  Alternatively, please contact SDS Regional Manager (East) Neal Herbert on neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Davie Lawrie

SDS is saddened to hear of the passing of Davie Lawrie.

Davie volunteered with the Scottish Disability Sport National Cerebral Palsy Football Squad in the early years of the squad. Davie was a coach within the national programme which coached footballers of all levels once a month in Stirling, and he would accompany the national squad players to international competitions. One such competition was in Denmark, and it was at this event that Davie was remembered for waking up the whole squad early in the morning by ringing a huge school bell.

He also accompanied Special Olympics teams to international competitions. Forth Valley Disability Sport captured the heart of Davie who volunteered over a period of 18 years in many roles. He was chairperson, vice chairperson, committee member, coach, mentor and fundraiser.

Davie was well known to parents, athletes, schools and local authorities. He was known as “one man and a bag of footballs” when he would tour schools and day centres to coach young people and adults with physical, sensory and learning disabilities. Notably, all players hung on every word that Davie said as he made every session fun and very enjoyable, and he always had the players’ best interests at heart.

He was the key driver in developing the Football For All event which became the first disability football event in Scotland to offer competition opportunities for mainstream pupils.

Davie was delighted when his service to FVDS was recognised and he was awarded the Service to Sport award. Shortly afterwards this very award became known as the Davie Lawrie Service to Sport Award.

Outwith disability sport, Davie refereed boys’, girls’, women’s and men’s football games where he wouldn’t be afraid to use yellow and red cards in a gentlemanly manner. Davie also gave his time to local care homes, performing old classic sing-alongs to residents who looked forward to his weekly visits.

Davie was one of a kind, well respected by everyone who was fortunate enough to make contact with him. He was a kind, helpful and generous individual who will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by Scottish Disability Sport, Special Olympics Scotland and Forth Valley Disability Sport.

Funeral service on Monday 2nd September 2019 at Co-op Funeral Parlour, Alloa at 1:15pm, thereafter to Sunnyside Cemetery at 2:00pm. There will be a retiral collection in aid of Strathcarron Hospice.

Laing Claims Silver Medal at Para Badminton World Champs

West Lothian’s Bobby Laing marked his attendance at last week’s BWF Para Badminton World Championships with a sliver medal in the mixed doubles, alongside partner Rebecca Bedford (England). The Championships saw several East of Scotland players travel to Basel, Switzerland to compete in singles and doubles action from 20th – 25th August. The players, who all have a strong association with Lothian Disability Badminton Club (LDBC), were supported throughout by coach Sarah Bok.

Laing and Bedford, who were unseeded in the Short Stature (SS)6 class, were unbeaten in their group recording victories against parings from the USA and the number two seeds from South America. This saw the British duo through to the semi final stage where they matched up against Goncalves Tavares (Brazil) and Fernadez Vargas (Peru), claiming the victory in a pulsating match 21-11, 23-25, 23-21 and setting up an all British final against Andrew Martin and Rachel Choong (England). The match eventually went in favour of the all England partnership and triple mixed World Champions with a 21-15, 21-13 victory, meaning that Scotland’s Laing went home with a sliver medal.

Laing also competed in the singles, recording two group victories before losing out 21-9, 21-12 to an American player in the round of last 16.

Midlothian based athletes Alan Oliver and Colin Leslie both competed in the Standing Lower (SL) 3 class with some varying fortunes. Oliver performed well over the course of his group matches, claiming two victories and one loss to set up a last 16 clash with top 10 seed Indian player Umesh Vikram Kumar eventually losing out 21-16. 21-12. Leslie, found the competition at the tournament tough as he lost all three group matches including a close fought match with Chinese player Faxin Wu.

Both players were also entered into the SL3 men’s doubles with Oliver and Swedish partner Rickard Nilsson particularly unlucky not to progress further after two group victories (including one walkover).

The only female player to represent Scotland was Edinburgh based player, Mary Wilson. Wilson, who is relatively new to the sport and competing in the SL 4 category, was unlucky not to progress from her group after recording one victory (v Ugandan player Khadja Khamuka) and two defeats. Wilson was then paired with Englishman Antony Forster in the mixed doubles, unfortunately coming up slightly short and losing both group matches.

Teaching Students off to an Inclusive Start

Future primary school teachers from the University of Aberdeen gained invaluable skills in providing inclusive physical education thanks to an initiative supported by Scottish Disability Sport.

Around 170 students studying for their Post-Graduate Diploma in Education this year took part in a coaching masterclass organised by the Aberdeen Active Schools Team. This comprised of students selecting up to 4 30-minute-long masterclass sessions to attend across the course of the afternoon (which included specialist workshops in hockey, early years, athletics, racket sports and much more). The Inclusive PE masterclass, which gave students the opportunity to learn a little about the sport of boccia & ideas to help adapt run, jump and throw activities for those with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, was amongst the most popular of the workshops with almost 110 students signing up for the opportunity.

It is hoped that many of the students will go on to attend certified Disability Inclusion Training, which will be offered in Aberdeen again in early 2020 as an open course for anyone to attend.

Well done to all of the students – who absolutely embraced the aims of the session – and thank you to Wendy & Nicole from the Active Schools Team who supported Alison in the deliver of the session.

If you live with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire or Moray (or know someone who does) and would like to get more involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison Shaw on 07828 744 848 or alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Dovecot Bowling Club and GOGA in Fife working together

A series of GOGA in Fife Action for Change initiatives has led to developments in the sport of bowls that have surpassed all expectations. A partnership in Glenrothes started when Mike and Joan Mowatt from Dovecote BC attended an introduction to inclusive coaching workshop promoted by Disability Sport Fife. The rest is history.

The workshop coincided with the launch of GOGA in Fife in 2017, supported by Spirit of 2012. One of the first Action for Change initiatives was set up at the Dovecot club. Mike, as the club coach, was very receptive to setting up club sessions at the club for learners with additional support needs. GOGA in Fife identified potential participants and within no time at all a group of players was training and playing with club members throughout the week.

GOGA in Fife’s earliest interventions centred on accessing equipment, clothing and assisting with the cost of memberships. The GOGA in Fife financial input was modest but the overall return in respect of inclusive practice was massive. The Dovecot Club even had parents, girl friends and wives signing up to join the fun and excitement. At the start of this bowls season thirteen bowlers who had benefited from the Action for Change initiative had taken out club memberships and are now full members enjoying everything that an inclusive bowls club has to offer.

The attached picture is of the Dovecot BC A team before their involvement in the Bennie cup at Thornton BC. The team was skipped by Lloyd Simpson, with Joe Watt leading, Robert Anderson second and Mike Mowat in third. Lloyd and Robert graduated through the GOGA in Fife Action for Change to secure places in the Dovecot team. I am told that it was a great team effort on the night although the Dovecot club finished a distant second in very wet conditions.

This performance followed a fine performance by Dovecot Park BC at the three counties championships at Bankfoot in Perthshire. The rink was once again skipped by Lloyd Simpson, with Robert Anderson lead, Sandy Allan second and Mike Mowat third. The Dovecot rink was ahead all match only to get a draw at the last end against a top Buckhaven team. Sandy is also a player who has progressed though the GOGA in Fife Action for Change initiative.

On the last Wemyss league game of the season, the three Dovecot BC rinks played against Kennoway BC and one rink had Lloyd as skip, Sandy leading, Robert second and Steven Anderson third. All members of this rink are GOGA in Fife supported players and they lost by only two shots. A remarkable outcome for a squad of players who are relative newcomers to the sport. It is amazing what can be achieved when club members like those at Dovecot BC can be so inclusive in ethos and practice.

The Dovecot BC members hope to continue and even expand their commitment to inclusive practice next season. “We are so proud of the players and there are some in time who will be a force to be reckoned with in mainstream bowls. Next season we are looking to have them play in Scottish, Fife and Wemyss league bowling.” said Mike Mowatt the man who started the ball rolling.

Thank you Dovecot BC members for supporting our bowlers and well done bowlers on your excellent season to date.

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

Last session for a leading West Fife CSS staff member

On Thursday 22nd August Ian Paterson from West Fife Community Support Services completed his final session before retirement from the Thursday multi sports session at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre for participants with additional support needs.

The DSF inclusive active recreation session is supported by Spirit of 2012 through GOGA and Ian is one of the most experienced Fife Council staff members lending weekly support to adult participants with additional support needs. Ian is one of many “significant others” whose commitment and expertise is critical to the smooth running of the Fife weekly programme of sessions.

Ian was as usual supporting West Fife CSS service user David Rennie and after the session the GOGA in Fife peer mentor volunteers surrounded Ian to wish him a very happy retirement and thank him for supporting them over the past two years plus.

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