Matthew Blissett from Glenrothes is a young DSF (SCIO) member who has benefited enormously from GOGA in Fife, supported by Spirit of 2012 Matthew works part time for Fife Council and over the past couple of years has signed up for a range of GOGA inspired inclusive active recreation sessions.

Matthew was one of the first members to take advantage of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Leisure Active card that now includes DSF weekly sessions run in FSLT facilities. Matthew appreciates that signing up for additional classes means that he does not have to pay any more now that he has a Leisure Active card. His most recent commitments are to inclusive hydro spin sessions on Monday with Megan and Friday with Debbie.

Matthew attends GOGA supported Wednesday 11 30 swimming session for adult improvers with additional support needs led by Kathy and Kirsteen. As well as being influenced by GOGA and supported by Spirit of 2012, the session has grown in popularity over the past year in particular. This has enabled an additional coach to be taken on board and the session to run throughout the year, including holiday periods.

Matthew is one of a number of DSF members to sign up for lawn bowls atDovecot Park Bowling Club in Glenrothes. Inspired by coach Mike Mowat the club has blossomed into one of the most inclusive in Fife. Participants with additional support needs can now access separate sessions or join in inclusively with everything this ambitious local bowls club has to offer. The club offers coaching and entry into club and Fife wide competitions. Over the past couple of years Matthew has entered for DSF indoor, outdoor and carpet bowls competitions as a result of his experiences at the Dovecot BC.

Matthew is now also attending Thursday multi sports and GOGA in Fife is keen that he becomes a peer mentor volunteer in 2020. GOGA in Fife hopes he will soon sign up for Monday evening inclusive badminton sessions but working hours currently make this very difficult.

Matthew has also signed up for the GOGA in Fife Paths for All 12 week walking challenge, using his own phone and Paths for All diary. When I checked his diary last he was comfortably recording eight miles daily between his work and full on engagement in inclusive active recreation sessions inspired by GOGA and supported by Spirit of 2012. Matthew is a popular young man, a true DSF role model and great asset to the Fife programme. GOGA in Fife supported by Spirit of 2012 is making such a difference to so many participants with additional support needs in Fife.

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

 

Working with local partner Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and national partners Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Swimming, GOGA in Fife has made a strong commitment over the three years of the programme to providing learn to swim opportunities for adult learners and adult improvers with additional support needs. Recreational swimming was one of three core activities set up by Scottish Disability Sport at the launch of the GOGA programme and Fife has retained its commitment to all three core activities.

Supported by Spirit of 2012, the GOGA in Fife adult improvers sessions atMichael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre, Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre andCowdenbeath Leisure Centre in particular are flourishing with new members signing up on a regular basis. Teachers Kathy, Lynsey, Kirsteen, Gabby plus pool side peer mentor volunteers have had major roles to play in the success of the programme. Significant others from families, voluntary organisations and Health and Social Care have been critical to the programme’s success.

Discussions are ongoing about the future of all adult learners/improvers sessions established during the life of GOGA but partners DSF and FSLT are confident that all continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Funding is in place for 80% of the programme with the final fifth to be negotiated shortly.

Thanks to support from Spirit of 2012 through GOGA, Speedo aqua mitts have been purchased for the improvers sessions and what a hit they are. Learners are on a breast stroke programme at the moment and the mitts are helping enormously with technique work.

Sessions participants with additional support needs proudly display their new swimming mitts earlier today in Glenrothes. Thank you once again Spirit of 2012.

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

Christine Burns from Kirkcaldy is one of the longest serving members of Disability Sport Fife. At one time she was one of the leading sprinters in Scotland and on several occasions she represented Scotland in the Four Nations International for swimmers and athletes with learning disabilities hosted by the four Home Countries. Christine represented GB at the International Games in Madrid in 1992.

For a number of years Christine opted out of physical activity but during the life of GOGA in Fife, supported by Spirit of 2012, she has most certainly opted back in again. Inspired and supported by support staff from Central Fife Community Support Services and GOGA in Fife, Christine is a regular on Wednesdays and Thursdays for multi sports and improvers swimming at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre. Christine has also signed up for the GOGA in Fife pedometer programme inspired by Paths For All and almost every day she proudly records her steps with staff support.

Over the past few weeks however Christine has taken it upon herself to travel independently from Kirkcaldy to Glenrothes on public transport to join in a mainstream Hydro spin class led by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust staff member Debbie Mills. Debbie and Christine have struck up a special relationship for a class that involves cycling and exercising in water in the training pool with the moveable floor at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre. She is now considering joining a Ceilidh dancing group in the same centre.

This is the first occasion in all the many years of Christine’s involvement in physical activity and sport that she has travelled on her own in pursuit of exercise. Christine continues to be a real success story of

GOGA in Fife. Well done to the staff from Health and Social Care and Fife Sports and Leisure Trust who have enabled this inclusive active recreation initiative to happen.

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

A very proud young wheelchair racer turned up at training Thursday at Pitreavie Athletics Centre and was pleased to pose for a photo in her new Bromakin wheelchair with DSF coach Pamela Robson.

Niamh Currie is the youngest member of the Disability Sport Fife wheelchair racing squad but she has been racing now for several years. She started out in a DSF borrowed wheelchair and then acquired her own. It was noted that she had outgrown her first chair and off she headed to the Bromakin company in Loughborough with her Dad for a new fitting.

Much to the delight of the family, Bromakin happily swapped chairs for Niamh and offered a trade in. Wheels were transferred over and in no time Niamh was up and pushing once again. Niamh and her Dad even managed a trip to the High performance Centre at Loughborough University while they were waiting for Rob at Bromakin to complete the fitting.

Great service and thank you Bromakin. Niamh looks brilliant in her new chair and also her new DSF kit that more and more Disability Sport Fife members are wearing.

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

SDS Central, Forth Valley Disability Sport, and its members, partners, athletes, clubs, and volunteers would like to extend huge appreciation of thanks to NTGAP Golf Organisation and Sheridan Property Consultants for their generous funding support of £2,100. This very kind donation will allow the re-establishment of the FVDS AGM/ Awards evening, due to take place in February 2020. We are extremely delighted to announce both as official sponsors of the FVDS Awards evening.

We have been very fortunate to have previous support from Sheridan Property Consultants sponsoring our 2019 Central Swimming programme and Central Regional Disability Swimming Squad, and extremely thankful to announce its continued support into 2020.

For more information on Sheridan Property Consultants please visit www.sheridanproperty.co.uk

To find out more about disability sport in Central Scotland please contact: Cheryl Lappin (SDS RDM) at cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360.

 

Congratulations to Fife’s leading all round ambulant physically disabled sportsman Connor Brown from Dunfermline, following another Para kata Grand Prix success at Ravenscraig on Saturday.

The former Woodmill HS pupil rounded off his most successful year to date with a 4th Para kata gold medal and the 2019 individual trophy as overall Grand Prix Grand Slam Champion. A most fitting end of season outcome for a very dedicated young sportsman whose commitment to daily strength and conditioning is exemplary.

Connor is coached by Paul Giannandrea at the very inclusive JKS Scotland club in Dunfermline. Paul and his team promote karate for players of all levels of ability including those with additional support needs. Connor has been a club member for many years and has been inspired by club members and coaches to commit fully to the training regime expected of high performance karate players.

Dedication and commitment have paid off across a wide range of sports including track and field and cross country as well as Para kata. Connor (T37 and F37) is also a member of Fife AC where he is coached by Steve Doig.

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

Eleven wheelchair racers and handcyclists headed to Jedburgh last weekend for the Annual Jed Renilson 10km. The race was set up many years ago by the late Jed Renilson who was an outstanding activist in the Scottish Borders for disability sport.

The event is organised by Borders Disability Sport and is supported by Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport. The event is heavily supported by the local community including Kelso Wheelers, Jedburgh Rugby Club and local officials

Callum Sloan (T53) from Dunfermline and Disability Sport Fife competed in the race for the first time and was third Scot across the line in 41.47 for a personal best by 1.37. Coach Pamela Robson was pleased with Callum’s performance, considering he hit a pot hole at 5km and his steering was all over the place for the final half of the race. Race conditions were however considered good apart from the usual headwind towards the end of the race.

Ben Rowlings from Red Star AC recorded the fastest time for a wheelchair athlete and Ken Talbot from Edinburgh was the fastest handcyclist in 17.56. Ben is off to Dubai this month with Sammi Kinghorn as members of Team GB for the IPC World Para Athletics Championships. Also in that team will be our own Owen Miller (T20) from Dunfermline and Fife AC.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF Board of Charity Trustees

The season for Para trap shooter Mike Drever from Leven officially came to an end at the 2019 British Shooting Grand Final at Fauxdegla shooting ground in Wales on the final weekend in September. Most importantly on this occasion Mike finished with a silver medal and brought his season to a very positive conclusion.

The weather conditions were very challenging with wind and rain making positioning and stability incredibly difficult at times. After a poor first round, Mike chatted with his coach Marco Micheli who promptly brought him back on track. Improved performances and consistency followed until the end of the competition.

Although he was unable to catch up with the leader Reg Toms, Mike recorded a score of 96/125 for his highest finishing position in the Grand Final. Coach and athlete were pleased with the performance considering the poor weather conditions and slow start to the competition.

The proud Orcadian has identified 2019 as his most successful season to date. It was very special and memorable because he represented Orkney in his first Island International Games in Gibraltar; represented GB the world stage once again; picked up his first Grand Final medal at the end of the season.

Mike has come a long way in shooting these past few years and apart from increased confidence and belief in his considerable ability he has been receiving compliments from those around him including GB coaches. Mike is reaping the rewards of hard work and dedication. Mike is a proud and committed member of Scottish Target Shooting (STS)

Mike is regularly seen in the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre pursuing his personal fitness training programme. Mike like many leading Fife Para athletes is supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Since the Grand Final he has been enjoying time away from the shooting range. Soon Mike will start thinking about next year’s goals and a plan to achieve these goals. It will not be too long before he is fully into winter training ahead of the 2020 season with the World Championship and World Cup scheduled for Italy and UAE respectively.

Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF Board of Charity Trustees

Fife’s leading Para swimmer has started his second year at the University of Stirling. The swimming year started in September and Ollie Carter from Cupar launched himself into training with his usual commitment, enthusiasm and determination. If dedication and application are guarantors of success then Ollie is definitely on target to achieve his dream of representing Great Britain as an S10 swimmer.

Ollie’s first major competition of the year was the National team championships in Glasgow where his first race of the season was 50m free. Ollie was delighted to return a small PB of 26.59 but most importantly an S10 Scottish record and a great start to the season. Ollie followed this performance with another small PB of 32.68 for 50m backstroke.

Ollie then headed to the British Swimming Academy camp in Manchester which was hard but great fun. Next on Ollie’s schedule was the Carengie Winter Meet in Glenrothes in the middle of a busy, hard training block. A good chance for the former pupil of Bell Baxter HS to put some technique work into practice in a competition environment.

Next month Ollie has the short course championships in Sheffield on Nov 15th where he will be competing in all seven MC events. Definitely a challenge but something the young Fife swimmer is up for and looking forward to. Performance Para swimmers are very committed and currently heavily involved in tough training sessions. Following on from this cycle Ollie will head south at the beginning of December to chase quality performances at the National Para Champs in Manchester.

All of us in DSF wish Ollie all the very best in the months leading up to Christmas and beyond.

The photo is of Ollie with his team mates at the team championships.

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

HUGE SUCCESS at the 2019 Central Parasport Festival last week held at the Peak, Stirling. Great partnership approach with 8 sports on offer on the day. Thanks to all involved and to Active Stirling for hosting and capturing the event with this FANTASTIC footage. For more information on the Central Parasport or disability sport in Central Scotland please contact Cheryl Lappin (SDS RDM) on cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07577 830360.