There were many successes in the GOGA in Fife programme, supported bySpirit of 2012, that will have a long lasting effect on the way Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) delivers services to its members. A key objective of the GOGA programme was to increase the range and quality of inclusive active recreation opportunities that are offered to participants with additional support needs across Fife. One GOGA initiative involved working closely with mainstream sports clubs and one of the first clubs to sign up was the Enigma gymnastics club that is based in the Levenmouth area.

Enigma Gymnastics Club is an impressive community club serving learners of all levels of ability. The club has a committed head coach, very enthusiastic Trustees and an impressive team of coaches and volunteers. Over the years the club has built up an excellent stock of equipment and developed a strong relationship with Fife Council. The school based club facilities are more than fit for purpose and have served successive generations of learners.

The GOGA in Fife team met with key Enigma personnel and a plan of action agreed that involved a series of practical workshops to help volunteers with inclusive practice and delivery. Initially sessions were specifically established for learners with ASN but the model in 2020 involves learners being allocated slots appropriate to their availability and abilities.

Governing Body registrations are expensive and grant aid was negotiated withKirkcaldy & Central Fife Sports Council to keep down costs. In the early years there was a specific emphasis on learners with Down Syndrome but more recently gymnasts with a range of conditions have signed up.

The Enigma/GOGA in Fife programme has been running for more than three years and some of the highlights of 2019 are as follows:

75% of the gymnasts with ASN took part in the Enigma floor and vault club championships. This involved learning to sequence floor skills and perfect and refine vaults practiced in class. Gymnasts either competed in the championships or were judged in class, if it was felt the event would be too overwhelming.

At the club championships each award category was sponsored by local companies. Boogie Bounce sponsored the Parallel Award for gymnasts with ASN. The award was presented to the gymnast with additional support needs who had demonstrated most progress in their gymnastics skills over the previous term.

50% of learners took part in the 8th Annual Enigma Birthday Celebration Festival. This event involves all gymnasts coming together in their class groups to perform in front of a sold out audience of over 300 spectators. The individual groups create themed routines to music.

All gymnasts with ASN will be taking part in the British Gymnastics proficiency scheme. This involves learning new skills and being tested at the end of each term.

The Enigma experience has been hugely positive and the young learners and their families are very much part of the overall club culture. The Enigma club is listed as a sport specific session on the Disability Sport Fife programme of weekly sessions that run throughout the year.

Gymnastic enquiries to the DSF office are directed to the Enigma club and the Head Coach and her very inclusive team of volunteers take over. The Enigma club model was the first set up by GOGA in Fife and provided a blueprint for other club partnerships that evolved between 2016 and 2019. Over the next few weeks I shall post articles outlining their progress and experiences. GOGA supported by Spirit of 2012 made it all possible.

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

A few weeks ago I received a call in the DSF office from Gilly Eason. Gilly started running in January this year and has raised £1300 for charity.

Gilly runs with the Kirkcaldy Wizards who are linked to the very inclusive Fife Athletic Club. I guess the Wizards are part of the Jogscotland initiative supported by Scottish Athletics? Gilly trains with the Wizards on Monday and Wednesday for an hour at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy and enjoys Parkruns and other social running occasions. She told me that sometimes there are as many as 80 runners involved with the Wizards.

Rosie Broadley turned up at the Wizards and expressed an interest in the couch to 5K programme. Rosie lost her sight this year and is now dependent on a cane. Rosie was accompanied by her daughter and Gilly introduced herself. Little did they realise how much of an influence they would have on one another for the remainder of the year.

Gilly was calling the DSF office to ask about guide running and supporting a runner with a visual impairment. It was an easy task on my part to pass on a few references and within no time Gilly had purchased a tether and volunteered her services to support Rosie on “Wizard Nights”. For over ten weeks Gilly and Rosie trained on together on grass, track and roads until she graduated couch to 5K with her fellow Wizards. The dynamic duo took over the park in true Wizard style.

Gilly told me they have a Wizard of the month every month on the first Monday. The accolade is reserved for those who are not the fastest or run the furthest. The award is about people who help and inspire others. Gilly was delighted and proud that this month it was Rosie!! There were tears from Rosie because she believes she is “just Rosie”. Rosie does not see herself as special despite having had a brain injury, stroke and lost her sight all in one year. Being part of the programme has had an amazing impact on her life and all those she have come to know her through the Kirkcaldy Wizards.

I learned when I was pulling this article together that Rosie has won a free trip to Vegas with GMTV!! The show is running a segment about “new beginnings” and Rosie’s daughter Sam emailed her story to GMTV. Not surprisingly she won the trip because she inspired the judging panel just as she has inspired her fellow Wizards throughout her ten week programme.

Congratulations Rosie on all that you have achieved to date. You are most definitely an inspiration. Well done of course to volunteer Gilly who has contributed so much to Rosie’s training, progression and safety. Wonderful story of the power of inclusive active recreation to change lives. Get Out Get Active in Fife (GOGA).

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

Cycling UK and Edinburgh All-ability Cycling are pleased to inform you that the Edinburgh Handcycling Experience is in full swing.  Based at Saughton Park in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Handcycling Experience has several handcycles available for use, for a variety of abilities and ages, at no charge.

Handcycling is accessible to nearly anyone with a lower limb impairment. It’s also great for people with chronic pain, balance issues, arthritis, and amputees. No previous cycling experience is necessary and coaching is provided by a L2 cycling coach. In addition to introductory sessions to get you started we will also be planning rides for a variety of rider experiences. Not only is handcycling a great activity itself, but it’s also perfect for cross-training for other sports.

Bikes are available for kids from approximately 5 years old and up. We also have recumbent and longseat configurations (a more upright style) as well as a Tetra-ready bike with electric assist and a TriRide wheelchair clip-on, also with electric assist. For those that need assistance in transferring, we also have a height-adjustable stool allowing for level transfers off your chair and into the bikes.

Please see the flyer below and contact Ken (ken.talbot@cyclinguk.org) for more information. Additionally, visit our Facebook page (Edinburgh Handcycling Experience) for more updates on schedules and events.

Edinburgh Handcycling Experience flyer

Swim IT Head Coach, Fiona Donald claimed the top coaching award at the recent West Lothian Celebrating Sport Awards. The annual awards ceremony took place at Linlithgow Burgh Halls on Thursday 28th November recognising the considerable achievements of athletes, coaches and volunteers from across the local authority.

The last 18 months has seen Swim IT welcome several para swimmers into the club, supporting many individuals with technique & stroke development and ultimately helping reach personal best times in the swimming pool. In addition to working closely and tailoring sessions to meet the specific needs of her club’s swimmers, Donald also coaches at the East Regional Disability Squad once per month allowing her to pass on her knowledge and ideas to swimmers from across the region.

Swim IT and Lothian Disability Sport are working closely to develop a specific session for swimmers with a disability, aiming to improve stroke technique and confidence before supporting them into the mainstream programme at the club. This development work highlights the commitment to provide further disability swimming opportunities across Lothian and in particular West Lothian.

Fiona is pictured here receiving her award from Culture and Sport Manager Alan Colquhoun.

Additionally, disability multi sports club No Limits were unfortunate to miss out on the Club of the Year Award after being shortlisted to the final three.

If you would like to find out more about disability swimming opportunities in the East of Scotland, please contact Scottish Disability Sport Regional Manager (East) Neal Herbert on 0770 939 3514 or admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

North Berwick based youngster Luke Turnbull recorded some excellent results at the recent National Learning Disability Tennis Championships, taking place in Sunderland over the weekend of 23rd / 24th November. The championships, held at Silksworth Tennis Centre, welcomed the nation’s leading tennis players with an intellectual impairment.

16-year-old Turnbull showed grit and determination over the weekend to record a win in the doubles and second place finish in the singles. This result highlights Turnbull’s motivation to progress in the sport after narrowly missing out on a place at the recent INAS Global Games, held in Brisbane, Australia between 12th and 19th October.

Turnbull, a member at North Berwick and St Serfs Tennis Clubs, lost out to world ranked number 1 Dominic Iannotti in the final of the singles whilst defeating world number 4 Ollie Beadle at the semi final stage of the competition. Turnbull and Beadle teamed up in the doubles to record a first place finish and secure the gold medal.

Turnbull is working hard to bridge the gap to the world’s top tennis players with a learning disability and has recently received funding support to increase his training volume, working closely with coach Neil Harden. Find out more about Luke here – https://www.tennisfoundation.org.uk/player-profiles/luke-turnbull/

Members of Edinburgh University Volleyball Club were the key drivers at the recently delivered Low Intensity Inclusion Taster (LIIT), an event aiming to encourage individuals from the university and local community to come along and try a range of fully inclusive activities.  The session, which was supported by several partners, also raised awareness of sport and the accessibility within the university.

The successful event was delivered at The Pleasance Sports Complex, Edinburgh University on Sunday 24^th November providing the opportunity for 15 students and members of the local community to try sports & activities such as boccia, sitting volleyball and sitting netball.  The event organisers, Adel Novotna and Elise Christensen, were keen to ensure the day was not only targeting existing athletes but also members of the university and community who were not currently engaging with sport or physical activity opportunities, including individuals with a disability.

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), Scottish Volleyball, Scottish Student Sport (SSS) and the Edinburgh University Sports Union (EUSU) were able to support with promotion and delivery on the day, providing a great opportunity to build relationships with the university clubs who are enthusiastic about creating a more inclusive environment within university sports clubs.

Adel and Elise, who are Inclusion Officers within the University Volleyball Club are keen to build on this great piece of work through the delivery of a larger event next year which will aim to engage with other universities across Edinburgh.

This opportunity captured the amount of work being undertaken by EUSU Clubs, many of whom are actively trying to create a more inclusive environment for students and encourage them to become involved with university sport.  This development work was highlighted at the recent UK Disability Inclusion Training (UKDIT) with 9 sports clubs represented at the 6-hour course which provides the tools to support and include individuals with a disability in a sport / physical activity setting.

For more information on this event or inclusive opportunities across the university / local community, please contact SDS Regional Manager (East) Neal Herbert on 07709393514 or neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

70 junior and senior bowlers from throughout Fife contested 12 singles titles at the 2019 Disability Sport Fife Carpet Bowls Championships held at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre and supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust on Wednesday 20th November.

Volunteer markers from bowls clubs in central Fife officiated at 89 singles ties. Many thanks to officials coordinators Math Thomson and Andy Mathieson from Beveridge Park Bowling Club and 14 other ladies and gents who gave up their day to ensure that the players received the highest standards of officiating. Math Thomson presented the trophies to the winners at the conclusion of the tournament.

From the results Disability Sport Fife will select the Fife team to represent Team Fife at the SDS National Carpet Bowls Championships to be held at DISC in Dundee on Saturday February 1st.

There were junior players from Lochgelly HS and Glenrothes HS. Both schools got together for training in the lead up to the event and plan to repeat this arrangement from here on. Inclusive bowling clubs Dovecot Park Bowling Club in Glenrothes and Headwell B.C in Dunfermline, that benefitted from GOGA investment in Fife from Spirit of 2012 were well represented on the day. As always there was strong representation from individual bowlers and players from Community Support Services in East, West and Central Fife.

Results

Wheelchair bowlers
Winner – Willie Harrison Central Fife CSS
Runner up – Jim Donaldson Central Fife CSS

Ambulant bowlers with a physical impairment
Winner – Billy Allan – Cowdenbeath BC
Runner up – Glen Livingston

Physically and Visually impaired bowlers – restricted
Winner – Kenny Dow – Central Fife CSS
Runner up – Eleanor Clark – Fair Isle BC

Bowlers with a learning disability – Men A section
Winner – Robert Anderson – Dovecot BC
Runner up – Steven Anderson – Dovecot BC

Bowlers with a learning disability – Men B section
Winner – Jimmy Ramsay – East Fife CSS
Runner up – George Goodsir – East Fife CSS

Bowlers with a learning disability – Men C section
Winner – Robert McMahon – Central Fife CSS
Runner up – Robert Morrison – Headwell BC

Bowlers with a learning disability – Men D section
Winner – David Scott – Leven
Runner up – Aaron Kean – Headwell BC

Bowlers with a learning disability – Ladies A section
Winner – Michelle Wallace – Central Fife CSS
Runner up – Julie Allan – East Fife CSS/Windygates BC

Bowlers with a learning disability – Ladies B section
Winner – Roberta Buchan – Central Fife CSS
Runner up – Danielle Osborne – Headwell BC

Bowlers with a learning disability

Junior boys with a physical impairment
Winner – Liam Bradbury – Glenrothes HS
Runner up – Josh Panes – Lochgelly HS

Boys S1/S2 with a learning disability
Winner – Lee Mackie Lochgelly HS
Runner up – Olek Kobel – Lochgelly HS

Junior boys and girls S3/S4/S5 with a learning disability
Winner – Logan Anderson – Lochgelly HS
Runner up – Christopher Trowell – Glenrothes HS

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

 

Disability Sport Fife values the very special relationship it enjoys with Glenrothes Strollers Football Club. DSF refers interested adults to the football club that is located directly across from the DSF office in the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre. Working with DSF and GOGA in Fife, the Strollers have set up a junior session on Tuesday evenings with support from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. The partnership has never been stronger.

Until very recently Barry Christie has been the DSF contact coach at Glenrothes Strollers. Barry has recently moved on and DSF would like to pay tribute to all the excellent work he has done in strengthening the partnership and moving Para football forward considerably. Thank you for your friendship, support, expertise and passion for football. We congratulate you on your efforts in growing the club and all recent successes in all competitions. We shall miss you Barry.

As we say farewell to Barry and pay tribute to his achievements we welcome new Para football coach Gregor Rodger. I have already had a very useful meeting with Gregor and I am confident our respective organisations will move forward together in promoting community inclusive Para football. All the very best Gregor in your new post.

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

Sixteen GOGA in Fife volunteers and peer mentor volunteers attended a Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Inclusion Training (DIT) coaching and volunteers course at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre on Monday 18th November. This was the first of several that will be organised throughout 2020 and 2021 for new and potential DSF volunteers and coaches.

The course was tutored by Richard Brickley and Pamela Robson and supported by Spirit of 2012 through Get Out Get Active (GOGA). This was the last of many GOGA in Fife training opportunities that have been held for coaches and volunteers within inclusive clubs and the local authority since GOGA in Fife was launched almost three years ago.

The GOGA in Fife team strongly believe that changing activity behaviours will only happen if the GOGA in Fife coaching and volunteering team is supported by quality, relevant and regular training. Spirit of 2012 through GOGA has made this possible and there is a commitment to ensure training continues throughout 2020 and beyond. Scottish Disability Sport and other partners are making this possible by offering funding for new courses in 2020.

The programme for this most recent course was determined by the participants and covered the DIT principles of adopting a functional approach, relevant communication styles and the principles of STEP. The whole course was practical and covered warm up, carpet bowls, run, jump and throws, boccia, team games etc. The full three hours were fun, appropriate and engaging. GOGA in Fife volunteers and peer mentor volunteers committed fully to the learning experience and feedback was positive.

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

Thursday 14^th November saw the 2^nd cross country in the West Series take place at Ralston Sports Centre, Paisley.  It was perfect weather for the athletes to take part in what was their second time at this venue.

A total of 176 athletes took part over 6 races with some great performance on the day and some very close finishes.   Well done to everyone who took part.

Massive thanks to Renfrewshire Leisure for hosting/setting up the event, sports leaders from Park Mains High School, students from West of Scotland College, and WOSA for organising.

The next event in the series will take place on Thursday 20^th February in Airdrie.  For more information on this please contact Stuart skerr@ashton-sec.glasgow.sch.uk.

The SDS National Cross Country takes place at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on Tuesday 19^th March.  For more information on this please contact Mark Gaffney: mark.gaffney@scottishdisabilitysport.com.