Jonny Brown headed off to the Scottish Athletics Throws Grand Prix series two with high hopes and in pleasant weather with Disability Sport Fife coach and father, David Brown by his side. When it came time for the seated throwers to compete at the end of the competition, the heavens opened and once again they had to throw in challenging conditions.

Despite the meteorological inconveniences Jonny threw a personal best in discus of 11.35 metres and narrowly missed out on a javelin PB when he threw 11.35 metres. Two fine performances by the F33 thrower from Fife who still remains our only local seated thrower.

Disability Sport Fife was assisted by REMAP and Scottish Athletics when Jonny’s throwing frame was being designed and manufactured. DSF now has two throwing frames located at Pitreavie Athletics Centre and Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre courtesy of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. David Brown has become a skilled volunteer within the DSF track and field coaching team and Jonny continues to progress with every competition.

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

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

Bikes without barriers is an adapted cycling pilot programme taking place in the City of Stirling. Developed and delivered in partnership with Active Stirling, Fabb Blazing Saddles and Forth Valley Disability Sport, with support from Stirling Council.

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 more information visit Active Stirling here: http://www.activestirling.org.uk/bikeswithoutbarriers/

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.

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 18^th 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 1^st 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 4^th 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.

Roll on camp 2020!

If anyone would like to know more about Amputee Football please contact Ashley Reid Ashley@amputeefootballscotland.co.uk

 

An inclusive Aberdeen Learn to Swim programme has been successful in a recent funding application for an adjustable changing bench.

Aberdeen Learn to Swim, an organisation that sits on the Scottish Swimming Learn to Swim Framework & explicitly welcomes and integrates participants with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, applied for funding from local trust, the Anderson Anderson & Brown Charitable Initiative with support from Scottish Disability Sport.

The application for funding was successful and, with the help of an additional donation from Aberdeen Amateur Swimming Club (the Swim School’s partner club), head teacher, Alison Low, has been able to purchase an adjustable changing bench for their home pool at the International School of Aberdeen.

The bench is a very welcome addition as some of the youngsters in the programme have profound physical or learning disabilities, and this will enable them to get changed in a safe & dignified manner. Well done to everyone at ALTS, AASC, AABi & ISA for your efforts.

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.

A Grampian para-cyclist has taken home silverware at the British Paracycling Time Trial and Road Race Championships, despite only being involved in the sport for a year.

Colin Wallace, a C3 classified cyclist from Aberdeen, finished narrowly behind seasoned cyclists Finlay Graham and Benjamin Watson in both events to claim the bronze medals at last weekend’s event in Llandeilo, Wales.

Colin, of Deeside Thistle Cycling Club, was selected for the British Cycling Paracycling Apprentice Programme earlier this year after undergoing extensive testing and classification following the 2018 Discover Your Gold talent identification event. Prior to this, Colin had been a regular in mainstream cycling & triathlon events around the North East of Scotland. He is currently still in Wales attending a training camp with the British Cycling team, and we wish him success with this.

Well done to Colin & everyone who supports him at Deeside Thistle CC, Scottish Cycling & British Cycling.

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.

Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund & Cricket Scotland, pupils across the Moray region with disabilities & additional support needs got the opportunity to enjoy inclusive versions of the Sport.

Children from secondary schools in Lossiemouth, Buckie, Speyside and Keith were offered the opportunity to get involved in Cricket Scotland’s ‘Cricket 4 All’ programme & spent their summer term learning about & playing Kwik Cricket & Table Cricket under the guidance of Kim Neill, Female & Disability Liaison Lead at the North of Scotland Cricket Association.

Each school received 3 sessions of coaching in Kwik Cricket, with 2 pupils from each school being selected for the Moray team who will play against a Highland team in October.  The selected pupils have been awarded ‘Cricket 4 All’ t-shirts to wear in the tournament and each school has received a Kwik Cricket set for their exclusive use. Kim has also kindly trained up teaching staff to ensure that Kwik Cricket can be provided in the schools on an ongoing basis, and she’s looking forward to visiting the schools for a final coached session in early 2020.

The table cricket program is taking a break for now & will start again in January 2020.  In the meantime, the schools are busy securing funding to purchase table cricket sets to allow the activity to continue. We wish them the best of luck in their efforts.

The programme has been really beneficial for the pupils involved, as is highlighted by Kim who said “I am so glad that so many children have been reached and had the opportunity to take part in a team sport as well as build more confidence in themselves. The numbers in Moray have been really good and have grown each week which is really encouraging to see.” We’re looking forward to seeing cricket grow across the Moray region in the near future.

Well done to Kim, the schools & all of the pupils who have taken part.

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.