On Saturday evening Owen Miller from Dunfermline and Fife AC ran 3.59.73 in Manchester for 1500 metres and improved on his run of two weeks ago. Owen is returning from injury and coach Steve Doig was pleased with how he had performed. This run was intended to prepare Owen for the International Meet next Wednesday when he competes for Scottish Athletics.
Early indications are that it will be a stellar line up in Manchester next Wednesday. Stephen Morris, James Hamilton and Michael Brannigan the T20 world champion are on the start line. Owen has competed against Stephen and James on numerous occasions and Wednesday will be an ideal test in the run up to IPC World Athletics Championships consideration.
All the very best Owen and congratulations on how far you have come under the guidance of Steve, not to mention the immense support you have received from your family.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees
Scotland under 14 and under 18 sides travelled south of the border at the weekend (3rd / 4th August) to compete in the British Wheelchair Basketball National Junior Championships, sponsored by the Lord’s Taverners. The games were hosted at the University of Worcester and invited players from across the United Kingdom to showcase their skills and test themselves against their peers.
The Scotland under 14 side finished day one 2nd in their group, winning four matches and losing one to set up a semi-final against their Wales counterparts on day 2. The youngsters continued their good form, claiming a comprehensive 22-12 victory before falling just short in the gold medal match against the Midlands (22-13) to claim second spot and the silver medal.
In addition to the team achievement, Lothian Phoenix player Ben Flanigan was awarded the U14 most improved player to cap off a wonderful weekend for the young Scots.
Scotland under 14 head coach Conor Smart said post championships, ‘I couldn’t be prouder of the squad. They gave everything they had in the face of tough opposition. I’m really pleased to come home with a silver medal and looking forward to returning next year’.
The U18 squad went unbeaten on day 1, claiming 4 victories from a possible 4 including a 2 point match with East Midlands (28-26) to finish top of their pool. On day 2, they were matched with the South East at the quarter final stage and went down 22-14, ending their journey in the competition. However the under 18 side galvanised to defeat Northern Ireland 24-18 to set up a 5th/6th place play-off match against the East Midlands which they won 27-23 to finish in 5th place overall. This result meant that Scotland only lost one match from seven throughout the tournament.
Head coach Jen Scally reflected on the team’s performance, ‘We had a difficult start in the quarter-final. Whilst tough at the time, it was fantastic to see how the team handles this. They bounced ack well for the final games. I’m proud of the character we displayed in adversity’.
Squad lists for both the under 14 and under 18 teams can be found below –
The programme aims to provide FREE opportunities for adults aged 16yrs+, living with a disability or who face barriers to participating in cycling to enjoy the sense of exhilaration and fun that can be experienced through cycling. The programme has been developed with a focus on participants having fun, building confidence and learning new skills through social weekly cycles, experiencing the beautiful local surroundings in a new way.
For the fifth consecutive year the Bowls Scotland National Championships included para bowls disciplines, and once again, we witnessed some highly competitive matches across the five physically disabled and visually impaired competitions.
Bowls is a hugely inclusive sport and Bowls Scotland have embraced the inclusion of para disciplines within their showpiece event that draws large crowds to Northfield every year. The para bowls competitions always attract a lot of spectators and this year was no different.
Notably, Pauline Wilson (Willowbank BC) competed in the ladies over 55 singles competition, as well as the para competition.
Everyone involved in the sport is delighted to see Kevin Wallace back competing in the para game. Kevin is the former World B7 Champion (2011) and formed part of the B6/7/8 triple that finished fourth at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The results were:
Gents B2/B3 (Director)
Winner: Sandy McIntosh (Nigel Walker)
Runner-up: Ian Graham (Kathleen Sweetland)
We would like to invite you to join us at our Family day on Saturday 7th September 2019.
The park has lots to offer from forest walks to adventure playgrounds, the onsite rangers will also be offering themed activities throughout the day/ This year’s theme is ‘Vikings and Superheroes’. Lunch will be provided and families will have the opportunity to enjoy some social time together and speak to the team about any questions or issues they may have.
Places for this event are limited and booking is essential. To book your place, please call the Children and families team on 0141 332 4632 or email Clare.Sweeney@visibility.org.uk.
A para-badminton newcomer from Grampian has taken home silverware at the inaugural UK Para-Badminton Championships.
Aberdeen’s Lesley Johnstone, who has only been playing competitive para-badminton for just over a year, took back well-earned bronze medals in the SL4 Women’s event and the SL3 – SL5 Mixed Doubles event from the new event held in Sheffield.
Johnstone faced tough competition from seasoned players, Emma Stoner & Scotland’s Mary Wilson, but put up a good opposition against both. In the mixed doubles event, Lesley and her doubles partner, Richard Lean, took a lead in the first set against the strong pairing of Bobby Griffin & Emma Stoner, but narrowly lost the 2 remaining sets. In their match against Mary Wilson & Antony Forster, they unfortunately lost by a large margin in straight sets, but the experience was definitely beneficial for Lesley who is thoroughly looking forward to the challenges that await her this year in Para-Badminton.
Well done to Lesley & the rest of the Scottish players for their fantastic performances over the weekend, and thank you to all at BadmintonScotland who help support Lesley in her development.
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.
Gordon Reid and Andy Lapthorne kept alive their hopes of lifting singles titles at the 30th British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships when both Brits secured their place in the semi-finals on Thursday’s third day of play at the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
Lapthorne made a fine start to his quad singles quarter-final against Brazilian seventh seed Ymanitu Silva and quickly managed to turn the momentum in his favour at the beginning of the deciding set before wrapping up a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory. World No. 3 and top seed Lapthorne, who is aiming to earn a place in his fifth British Open final in six years, plays Dutch world No. 5 Sam Schroder next.
Lapthorne said:
“He played very well. It was very hot out there; possibly the hottest day of the year, but it’s good to get through another tough match and I’m very happy to be in the semis here again. I’ve got a lot of experience now, I know what I can do and I know when to switch on. So it’s all good and I’m expecting another tough match now against Sam.”
On another good day for players on the LTA’s GB Wheelchair Tennis World Class Performance Programme, Reid took full advantage of an early break against Dutch wold No. 9 Tom Egberink, carrying his form into the second set to complete a 6-3, 6-2 victory. Reid will play world No. 1 and 2017 British Open champion Gustavo Fernandez for a place in this year’s final.
After extending his unbeaten career record against Egberink to 16 matches, Reid said:
“Tom’s got a lot of confidence at the moment, but I was in control most of the match. It’s a good match up for me and I have a good plan against him. I feel like I’m striking the ball as well as I have done for the last couple of years. I’m happy with the way I’m playing and while it’s a big challenge against Gustavo, who’s in the form of his life at the minute, I feel there’s definitely a chance to win it.”
Jordanne Whiley put up a tremendous effort in her women’s singles quarter-final. Playing in her first British Open since returning from maternity leave in February, the 2015 and 2016 British Open champion came close to upsetting defending champion and world No. 1 Diede de Groot before the Dutch top seed narrowly prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 6-2. Whiley said:
“I was pretty pleased with the performance because the last time I played Diede last month in France it was 6-3, 6-2. I’m changing a lot of things in my game at the moment and I’m about a week into that process, so to come out and go a close three sets with the world No.1 is only positive.”
Thursday’s third day of action at the LTA hard court event ended with added success for the Brit partnership of Alfie Hewett and Reid.
The reigning US Open champions came from a set and 3-1 down to edge out 2018 British Open champions and reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champions Joachim Gerard of Belgium and Stefan Olsson of Sweden 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 to reach Saturday’s men’s doubles final.
While Friday’s fourth day of competition at Nottingham Tennis Centre will see Lapthorne and Reid both play their singles semi-finals, Lucy Shuker and Whiley will also be on opposite sides of the net in the same women’s doubles final.
Friday’s action will also see the continuation of the Nottingham Futures Tournament, which features many of Britan’s leading junior players, including local East Midlands stars Abbie Breakwell and Dahnon Ward, who are among the players on the LTA’s Junior Futures Potential Programme.
LTA has invested in making the event free for all spectators. To book tickets visit www.lta.org.uk
A partnership inclusive taster session programme has gotten off to a great start in Grampian.
Aberdeen Kayak Club opened their doors to those with disabilities some time ago, but a joint project with SDS, the MS Society & the Scottish Canoe Association looks likely to help increase regular participation in the exhilarating sport.
The project – a series of three free taster sessions aimed at people with disabilities aged 9+ and their parents, carers, partners, siblings and friends – started on the 18th July and saw approximately 10 new participants try out Paddlesport with the Club. It is hoped that following the taster series, the participants will have made progress in their skills & will be encouraged to become members of the Club thereafter.
Despite some thunder and lightning towards the end of the evening, which caused the session to end slightly prematurely, and a handful of participants capsizing, all participants had a fantastic experience & are looking forward to the next session, which takes place on the 1st August.
Well done to all of the participants for giving it their all and thank you to Roger from SCA and all of the volunteers from Aberdeen Kayak Club who made everyone feel welcome & included despite having a much higher than expected turnout on the night.
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.
Daniel McDevitt from Dumfries & Galloway, Harris Tinney from Glasgow and Keeley Cerretti from South Lanarkshire have just returned from the 4th EAFF Junior Camp in Hoffenheim.
The youngsters jetted off last week for 3 days of non-stop football, with it all kicking off with an opening ceremony where all participants received a sports bag with their kits (5 tops, 2 shorts and 2 socks, water bottle). They then had 5 different training sessions over the 3 days, and on the last day they were treated to a stadium tour at Hoffenheims ground Pre-Zero followed by dinner then the closing ceremony where they all got a medal and framed certificate.
This was yet again a wonderful experience for the 3 youngsters from the West of Scotland, who can’t wait for next year already. The coaches were great with the kids and they all had an amazing time getting to know the 70 other participants from all over Europe.
Allan McDougall Solicitors has appointed Scottish Disability Sport as its charity partner for 2019 / 2020.
As part of its commitment to the charity, the firm will offer a five-figure funding package comprising both financial and practical support.
With plans to help fund its national events programme, offer hands-on volunteering support, and take part in various fundraising activities, Allan McDougall Solicitors is aiming to make a positive impact on the charity for the year ahead.
The firm has already hit the ground running, as four of its employees recently completed the 5K and 10K races in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival to raise funds for the cause.
Jackie Raitt, partner at Allan McDougall Solicitors, said: “We have been reviewing and consolidating our corporate social responsibility activities in order to truly make an impact to one charitable organisation. We selected Scottish Disability Sport due to our shared commitment to justice, inclusivity and opportunities for the ordinary person. In addition to financial support, many of our staff are also willing to roll up their sleeves and help with the charity’s annual events programme.”
Scottish Disability Sport encourages the development of sport and physical recreation for disabled people throughout Scotland. It promotes sport for athletes with a physical, sensory or learning disability of all ages and abilities.
The charity’s national events programme comprises a range of sporting activities, including swimming, athletics, football, bowls, cross country, archery and boccia.
Gavin Macleod, chief executive officer at Scottish Disability Sport, said: “Scottish Disability Sport would like to thank Allan McDougall Solicitors most sincerely for their support of our national events programme. These events attracted more than 1,800 participants last year and offer competition for all levels of athletes and players.”
Allan McDougall Solicitors is one of Scotland’s most highly regarded specialist litigation firms. It recently won the coveted Litigation Team of the Year award at the Scottish Legal Awards 2019, having been successful in the same category in the Law Awards of Scotland 2018.
Allan McDougall Solicitors has appointed Scottish Disability Sport as its charity partner for 2019/2020
In Pic……….
(c) Wullie Marr Photography
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