The British Paratriathlon team secured a total of seven medals from the ITU World Paratriathlon Series in Montreal. The event focus was securing the first stage of nomination for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

An important member of the team is 2016 Rio Paralympic Games silver medallist, Alison Peasgood. The Scott, who trains out of Loughborough and Stirling, is a very experience performer having been part of the British Triathlon programme since 2014.

Peagood, who competes in the PTVI classification for visually impaired athletes, continued her medal form by winning another silver on this occasion, alongside her guide Nikki Bartlett. The pair demonstrated the fastest bike split across the field which put them in a god position ahead of the run. However, they lost out to Spain’s Susana Rodriguez,

Jonathon Riall, British Paratriathlon’s Head Coach, said: “I’m really pleased with the team’s performance today. To see such fantastic racing on a world stage is great and I believe we can build on the performances moving forwards. The conditions were challenging but to come home with seven medals is a really good result.

“We have come off the back of our two-week camp in Florida and I’m pleased with the impact that it had on the athletes ahead of this competition.

“It’s great that so many of our athletes have secured the first stage of Tokyo 2020 qualification and we’re all looking forward to the Test Event in August.”

For more information please see the British Triathlon website: https://www.britishtriathlon.org/news/british-paratriathletes-celebrate-medal-success-in-montreal_11221

It was with great sadness that I learned this evening that George Keith from Aberdeen passed away earlier today. The thoughts of all of us in Scottish Disability Sport are with George and his family and friends during this time of great loss.

George was always a great friend to DSF athletes, players and coaches. His contribution to SDS and Grampian
table tennis over the past 40 years has been immeasurable.

When I arrived in Fife in 1975 I was privileged to be asked by SDS to organise the Scottish Table Tennis Championships at the Fife Sports Institute. That resulted in my first meeting with George as a participant. As a standing player with a physical impairment there was none better and his enthusiasm to involve others led to considerable interest in the game throughout the 80s and 90s in particular.

Our paths crossed many times thereafter and we even had a room next to one another in Hoffstra University in New York when George was selected to represent Team GB at the 1984 Paralympic Games. George was not only a world class player with cerebral palsy but on that team he was an amazing support to a number of the less experienced Scottish members of Team GB. George accepted enthusiastically his role as the team father figure.

I recall with great fondness the rivalry between George and our own Paul Noble in the men’s singles section of the SDS Table Tennis Championships. George had the edge on Paul on most occasions but when Paul teamed up with Lara Ferguson in doubles, the Fife partnership reigned supreme.

George collaborated with Fife coach Wilma Catignani in setting up a Sunday afternoon national table tennis league at the Fife Sports Institute that ran for many years. George was accorded the title of Mr Table Tennis and my goodness he lived up to the nickname and was proud of it.

George was one of those unsung heroes of Scottish sport who unselfishly devoted so much time to the sport he loved. Locally and nationally George achieved so much. George was a highly respected player, organiser and coach. In addition he was good man, highly respected by all those around him. George cared and would always go the extra mile for the individual participant.

George we all owe you so much and we shall never forget all that you contributed to table tennis. We thank you for your friendship, expertise and support. You were an exceptional team and family man George.

I discovered this photo in my archives. Councillor James Kiddie hosted the annual Aberdeen Sport Person of the Year in 2010. George was awarded the Lord Provost’s award.

Funeral arrangements: Tuesday July 9th at 11 00 in the West Chapel, Aberdeen Crematorium

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

Hi, I am Madison Garland the new Boccia Development Officer for Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). My role is nationwide with my office based at SDS headquarters in Edinburgh. I am looking forward to becoming part of the SDS team, as well as getting to know the boccia community. I am excited about the prospect of developing the sport further and increasing the number of people playing across the country.

Prior to working with SDS I achieved my Sports Development and Coaching degree at Dundee University, and soon after, gained my first role as the National Disability Development Officer and the East Female Development Officer at Cricket Scotland (CS). My role at CS consisted of developing female cricketers and engaging and identifying new players via the fantastic engagement programmes that had been set up. I also assisted with the set up of the Disability Cricket section of the SGB, helping raise the profile of not only disability cricket, but of disability sport. I achieved this through several vehicles but one of the most successful was raising awareness of the visually impaired game using high-profile events, such as our exhibition match between the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) and the Glasgow City Councillors. This event profiled the sport politically as well as amongst the visually impaired community. I hope to use my previous experiences to increase the profile of boccia in a similar way.

Whilst I am not coming from a background in the sport of boccia, I am really looking forward to learning more about the sport and increasing my knowledge further. I have gained a lot of sports development experience in disability sport, and female participation, from my work at Cricket Scotland and this will benefit me going forward.

I’ll be getting out and about to meet the boccia community in due course but in the meantime I can be contacted on madison.garland@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Four British players from the LTA’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Performance Programme will contest the wheelchair events at The Championships, Wimbledon, next month after wildcards were announced on Wednesday for Andy Lapthorne, Jordanne Whiley and Gordon Reid. Two Brits will contest the gentlemen’s wheelchair singles and doubles events, with reigning US Open champion Alfie Hewett already confirmed among the direct entries.

The wheelchair players are part of a total of fourteen Brits in the singles main draws at The Championships.

Lapthorne will be one of four players who will make history at Wimbledon as quad singles and doubles events make their debuts on the competition schedule following last year’s quad doubles exhibition match, which Lapthorne won partnering American David Wagner.

Eight-time Grand Slam champion Lapthorne, who has climbed to No.3 in this week’s quad singles rankings after reaching the final of the Open de France Super Series, said:

“It’s a dream come true to be playing in the first quad singles and doubles events at Wimbledon and I’m very thankful to Wimbledon for giving me that chance. I got an injury in Australia and It’s been tough coming back, but I’ve had some good results over the last couple of weeks and being back at world No. 3 this week helps everything.

“I’m going to be playing doubles with Dylan (Alcott of Australia) this time. We get on really well together and he’s done so much for the sport over the last couple of years, so it would be amazing if we could become the first official Wimbledon quad doubles champions together.”

Whiley will play her first Wimbledon since becoming a mum in January 2018. In 2017 she played at The Championships whilst 11 weeks pregnant, winning her fourth successive ladies’ doubles title partnering Yui Kamiji of Japan.

Whiley began her comeback to international wheelchair tennis in February this year and has won four of seven singles events she has contested since then Whiley has returned to No.8 in this week’s women’s singles rankings reaching the semi-finals of last year’s Super Series event in France.

Ten-time Grand Slam champion Whiley, who will playing at Wimbledon for the eighth time, said:

“I’m really excited and especially since it will be the first time since my comeback earlier this year that I’ve played with Yui. Obviously, the last time I was at Wimbledon we won the doubles again and I was pregnant with Jackson, so it’s going to be exciting to see what we can do this year. I’m so grateful that Wimbledon have backed me, but I’ve had a great comeback and I did not expect to be back in the top eight by mid-June. It’s been an amazing few months.”

Reid, the first ever Wimbledon gentlemen’s wheelchair singles champion in 2016, will play at The Championships for the ninth time and the current world No. 8’s wildcard award means he will partner Hewett in a bid to make it four successive gentlemen’s singles titles.

Eleven-time Grand Slam champion Reid, who was men’s singles finalist at Roland Garros this year, said:

“Wimbledon obviously holds so many great memories for me after winning four tittles there over the past three years, so I’m very happy and grateful to have been awarded the wildcard. It’s always a privilege to play at your home Grand Slam and such a buzz to win the major titles with the home crowd behind you, as Alfie and I have experienced. Hopefully I can take my good form on the clay and the hard courts in Paris over the past two weeks onto the grass courts.

Current world No. 3 Hewett is the only one of the four Brits to have qualified for direct acceptance for the wheelchair events at The Championships via his ranking.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Hewett, who added doubles victories partnering Reid at Wimbledon and the US Open to his 2018 US Open singles title, said:

“I’m incredibly excited for Wimbledon this year and for the prospect of trying to make it four doubles titles in a row with Gordon. There is no better feeling than winning a Grand Slam title in front of a home crowd. As the season’s gone on my form has been getting better and better and after reaching the singles semis at Roland Garros a couple of weeks ago and at Wimbledon for the last two years I’m really looking forward to getting back on the grass and trying to make it to two finals this time,”

The wheelchair tennis draws at The Championships, Wimbledon, take place on 11-14 July. For news and updates in the coming weeks follow on Twitter @the_LTA and @WChairTennisGB.

Photo courtesy of the Tennis Foundation

British Curling has announced the Programme Wheelchair Squad for 2019-2020, as the Wheelchair Curlers prepare for the second year of the Paralympic cycle building towards Beijing in 2022.

Four members of Scotland’s silver medal winning team at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships earlier this year are among those selected to receive Programme support and investment. David Melrose and Gary Logan made their debut at the World Championships when it was hosted in Stirling, having joined the Programme for the first time at the start of that season.

Melrose, who was a former fire-fighter, said he was delighted to have been selected to the Programme for a second consecutive year.

 “My first year on the Programme was pretty meteoric, experiencing the routine, discipline and team work required for squad training and tactical work, plus gym sessions and focusing on nutrition to optimise performance was all very new to me. It was a steep learning curve and extremely rewarding when I was selected for the Scotland team and the highlight of reaching the final and playing against China’s Paralympic Champions was something I could never have imagined possible and shows what can be achieved in the fast moving environment of elite sport.

 “Curling gave me a renewed purpose after my accident, the Programme taught me about self-discipline and effective team dynamics. Combined with a lot of hard work and effort, the impossible becomes possible and dreams become a reality, last year’s result shows us that any goal is achievable.”

Fellow debutante Gary Logan, who was alternate at those Championships, agrees with his teammate’s sentiment: “I am extremely grateful to have been selected for my second year on the Programme. It made a huge difference to my curling and the experience of a home World Championships has spurred each and every one of us on to achieve more success in the season to come.”

Fellow World silver medallists and PyeongChang Paralympians Hugh Nibloe and Robert McPherson – who was also a member of the 2014 ParalympicsGB bronze medal winning team – are the two most experienced members of the squad. A notable omission this year is Sochi bronze medallist Aileen Neilson who, after skipping her rink to a sterling podium finish in Stirling whilst making her ninth appearance at a World Wheelchair Championships, has decided to take some time out from the elite game.

Neilson said: “I have been in the squad for 14 years and our success at Stirling helped us to accrue qualifying points at the next Paralympics and it really gave me an opportunity to reflect on achievements over the years. I decided that by taking some time out I could enjoy some quality time with family and those close to me and also explore other avenues and projects.

 “I am a qualified Level 1 Coach and Tutor and as a former primary school teacher I want the chance to go into schools and inspire kids and the next generation of curlers, so really this is my time and chance to give back a bit to the sport I love,” she added.

Gary Smith and Charlotte McKenna, both of whom were on the Performance Foundation Squad last season, have worked hard to achieve Performance level support this year, while newcomer Rebekah Nimmo completes the line-up, supported at Performance Foundation level.

British Curling’s Head Wheelchair Coach Sheila Swan said; “Congratulations to all of those who have been selected for Performance or Performance Foundation support. Last year’s success in Stirling created a benchmark for all of our athletes as we now look to continue that upward trajectory whilst targeting further titles in the season ahead, consolidating our progression in this Beijing Paralympic cycle.”  

 Performance squad 2019-20

Gary Smith (Edinburgh)

Robert McPherson (Bellshill)

Hugh Nibloe (Stranraer)

David Melrose (Duns)

Charlotte McKenna (Bridge of Allan)

Gary Logan (Cornhill on Tweed)

 Performance Foundation 2019-20

Rebekah Nimmo – (Stranraer)

When it comes to the sport of boccia Scotland delivers!  The 2019 UK Boccia Championships took place from the 14 – 16 June 2019 in Antrim, Northern Ireland and the competition showcased the best players across the home countries within the BC1 – BC4 classification groups.

Scotland qualified eight players for the event but unfortunately 2016 Paralympian, and recent Hong Kong World Open silver medallist, Patrick Wilson (BC3), had to withdraw due to illness.  The seven remaining players carried the flag with aplomb, showcasing their incredible talent throughout the weekend.

In the BC1 classification, Scotland’s only representative was the ever improving Reegan Stevenson, who topped his group to set up a semi-final with Daniel Wain (ENG).  After a cagey affair he took 2 points in the final end to win 3-2 and set up a final against Paralympic Champion, David Smith (ENG).  Smithy won the match 15-0 but Stevenson achieved his objective of retaining his silver medal for the first time at this level.

Lewis McConnell returned to represent Scotland in the BC2 competition after a four year break at this level.  Whilst McConnell failed to win any of his pool matches, he put in some very good performances and will take that learning away as he continues his comeback to performance level boccia.

The McCowan brothers, Scott and Jamie, were once again present in the BC3 competition, along with their ramp assistants (and parents), Gary and Linda.  Amongst the favourites for this competition, Jamie was looking to retain his UK individual title, whilst Scott, had already won the Scottish title, leading into this event.  Scott came second in his pool, which meant he would face a more difficult semi-final, which on this occasion, was against his brother!  Playing for family bragging rights the match was a very tight affair which saw Scott come from behind to win 4-3 and claim his place in the final, alongside dad, Gary.  Jamie, and mother, Linda still had a chance for bronze.

In the 3^rd/4^th place play-off, Jamie McCowan seized the initiative early on against Will Arnott (ENG) and was in complete control, eventually winning 5-1 and taking the bronze medal.  In the final, Scott a tougher proposition against England’s Matt Berry with the match ending 3-3.  A tie break end was required and after winning the toss, Scott nailed the jack, putting him in control of the match.  In the end he claimed the solitary point required to win his fourth British title – a joint record he holds alongside former Welsh player, Jacob Thomas.

Scotland had three representatives in the BC4 class with World number 2 Stephen McGuire, accompanied by Rio 2016 Paraympic teammate, Kieran Steer, who has returned to the sport following a break.  They were joined by developing player and wildcard entrant, Ross Munro.  There were six players in a round robin pool, with 1^st and 2^nd place competing for gold and 3^rd and 4^th for bronze.

McGuire topped the group, winning all of his matches to set up a final against Louis Saunders.  In a very competitive match, McGuire’s experience shone through as he won the match 7-2 to retain his UK individual crown for a record 13^th time.  The BC4 championship has never been won by anyone from outside of Scotland!

Following a group stage tie between Evie Edwards (ENG), Kieran Steer and Ross Munro the official rule book was consulted to determine who went through to the medal match.  It would come down to the matches between those three players only, with all other results not considered.  Once the calculations had been ratified, it was Ross Munro and Evie Edwards who would compete for the medal.  Whilst disappointing for Steer, he can be pleased with his performances on his return to this level.

Earlier in the day Munro had produced a controlled performance to defeat 2016 Paralympian, Evie Edwards, 7-1, and was therefore confident going into the match.  It was to be a tighter affair with Evie taking the lead in the first end, but Munro battled back to eventually win the contest 6-3 and claim his first medal at a British Championships.

The overall result meant that Scotland topped the medal table by winning 5 of the 12 medals available, two of which were gold.

Scottish Disability Sport would like to thank our team of dedicated volunteers and coaches who support the players in both training and competition.  We would also like to show our gratitude towards our colleagues at Disability Sport Northern Ireland (DSNI) for delivering an exceptional 2019 UK Championships.

Scottish Squad (Results)

BC1
Reegan Stevenson (Silver)

BC2
Lewis McConnell

BC3
Scott McCowan (Gold)
Jamie McCowan (Bronze)
Patrick Wilson

BC4
Stephen McGuire (Gold)
Ross Munro (Bronze)
Kieran Steer

Support Staff
Jen Barsby
Andrinne Craig
Peter McGuire
Gary Fraser
Madison Garland
Gary McCowan (Ramp Assistant)
Linda McCowan (Ramp Assistant)

Every result from the UK Championships can be viewed on our Twitter feed @SDS_Sport via the hashtag #ScottishBoccia.

For more information on the sport or to get involved, please contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 317 1130 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com