Category: Regional News

Toni’s feeling great 18 weeks into her new walking routine

Toni Duffin is the latest GOGA in Fife inspired young person to complete the Paths For All 12 week walking programme – “Feeling Great One Step at a Time”.

Paths for All is a national partner of GOGA in Fife and GOGA in Fife invested in pedometers to encourage and inspire GOGA in Fife members to walk regularly and embed walking in their daily routine. The GOGA in Fife programme is supported by Spirit of 2012.

Walking is now so much a part of Toni’s daily routine that she is six weeks into her second round of conscientiously filling in her Walker’s Diary at the end of each day. I looked at her diary this week and over an 18 week period she rarely if ever drops below 8,000 steps and on one particular Thursday she registered over 20,000 steps. Remarkable discipline and commitment by a young Fife woman who also attends a number of GOGA in Fife weekly sessions supported by Spirit of 2012.

Toni has a loving family behind her all the way and her golden lab Tess has played her part. Jillian P and Gillian W are the outstanding Scottish Autism support staff who have encouraged and supported Toni throughout her walking journey to date. The role of significant others can never be under estimated and I am advised that Toni is the driving force. The staff members have welcomed the opportunity to be part of Toni’s journey.

Toni is working towards becoming a GOGA in Fife peer mentor volunteer and her walking commitment to date will undoubtedly have helped her achieve that ambition.

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

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.

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.

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

Leading female athlete at Fife Championships

Marie Wilson is a former pupil of Lochgelly HS and she became the 36th winner of the Lita Allen Memorial Trophy by being voted the leading female athlete at the 2019 Fife Track and Field Championships supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust at Pitreavie Athletics Centre.

Disability Sport Fife decided to replace the original trophy because it was damaged. Marie became the first recipient of the new trophy. She received her award after a GOGA in Fife multi sports session supported by Spirit of 2012. Pamela Robson, Trustee of the DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees presented the trophy to Marie.

Marie is a fine all round athlete and hopes to become a GOGA in Fife peer mentor volunteer like her brother Fraser. At the moment however her College studies take precedence. Marie is on the short list of candidates to captain the Fife team at the SDS National Track and Field Championships at Grangemouth Stadium.

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

Fife Para athlete secures silver behind world champion

Well done to Owen Miller from Dunfermline and Fife AC who secured a fine second place in T20 1500 metres at the Manchester International on Wednesday evening. Owen’s time was 3.59.98 in an event that was won by the world champion Michael Brannigan from the USA. Owen was the first T20 British athlete to cross the line.

Coach Steve Doig from Fife AC was pleased with Owen’s run considering he has had to pull back on training recently because of injury. Two sub four minute runs within a matter of a few days is a good outcome for the former Woodmill HS pupil.

Well done Owen. Another fine performance and reward for all your hard work these past months.

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

GOGA in Fife plays host to Volunteering Matters

GOGA in Fife was privileged to play host to Darren Wyn Jones from Volunteering Matters on Wednesday 14th August. Darren visited the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre and met and interviewed Robert Anderson and Adam Faulds from the GOGA in Fife peer mentor volunteer team. “We had a most enjoyable day with Darren” was one of many positive comments at the end of the day.

Adam and Robert were selected to represent the team along with Colleen Melville who sadly had to call off because she was unwell. Darren asked the boys lots of questions about being a peer mentor volunteer and not surprisingly he received lots of very positive responses. In due course Darren’s findings will be written up and shared.

Adam and Robert are two very committed peer mentor volunteers as well as being very active sportsmen. Robert recently led part of the Thursday multi sport warm up with around 70 participants and Adam is a qualified community walk leader. Both boys are very committed to the volunteering cause.

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

Fife Para athlete has fine run at Forth Bridge 10K

Well done to T20 athlete Carter Taylor from Dunfermline and Fife Athletic Club who had an outstanding run at the Forth Road Bridge 10K earlier to day. Carter finished 8th overall and 6th senior male in a time of 37.55.

Carter is coached by Steve Doig at Fife AC and to say he has made great progress as an athlete in the last year would be an understatement. Already a world class water skier and very competent swimmer, it is only in the last year or so that the young Disability Sport Fife member has fully committed to athletics. His progress has been significant on the track and in cross country and he is now a force to be reckoned with at the forthcoming SDS Scottish Championships.

Congratulations Carter is following in the footsteps of Owen Miller and Sam Fernando in distance running. Like Owen, Carter is a former pupil of Woodmill HS, a school that continues to produce outstanding athletes year after year.

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