The sun was shining at Albury Outdoor Sports Centre, the hospitality was second to none, and the competition was fierce (albeit friendly & with copious amounts of banter) at this year’s Grampian Regional Lawn Bowls Championships.

The qualifying event for Grampian’s bowlers to reach the SDS National Lawn Bowls Championships was highly anticipated amongst the bowls community and saw bowlers with physical, visual and learning disabilities aged 20 – 88 from across Aberdeen City & Shire compete for the top spots on the day & a place at Nationals. The event also saw a tremendous 50% increase in entries compared to the 2018 event.

Thanks to the organisation skills of Grampian’s bowls lead, Kevin Duncan, participants were split into 3 pools for the day (seated bowlers & those using wheelchairs, ambulant bowlers with physical and learning disabilities, and bowlers with visual impairments) and competed in round robin matches against the others in their pool.

Following the event, the players, carers, parents and umpires retired to the club house where local hero & Albury Outdoor Sports Centre volunteer, Agnes MacDonald, ensured that everyone was suitably fed & watered with an afternoon tea. In turn, diners donated over £80 towards the Centre’s funds. The Centre is entirely run by volunteers & managed by Albury Community Sports Hub. SDS, Grampian Disability Sport & the players are eternally grateful to Agnes & her team for continuing to make sure everyone is looked after, both at our annual event & at the weekly Grampian Bowls Squad sessions, which take place on Saturdays from 13:00 – 15:00 at the Centre and are suitable for all ages.

Special mentions from the day go to first-time competitors Reggie Craig & Zoe Kane who performed incredibly well amongst our veteran entrants.

A huge thank you also goes to the team of umpires & markers, without whom the event wouldn’t be possible.

Congratulations to all of the competitors.

Results:

Section A (Seated bowlers & those bowling from wheelchairs)
Gold: Kevin Duncan
Silver: Reggie Craig
Bronze: Kerry Mathers

Section B (Ambulant bowlers)
Gold: Zoe Kane
Silver: Martin Morrison
Bronze: Kelly McDonald

Section C (Visually impaired bowlers)
Gold: Ali Burt
Silver: David Cox
Bronze: Jim Lamb

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.

We would like to invite you to join us at our Family day on Thursday 25th July 2019 the event will take place at the amazing Dalscone Farm, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1SE.

The day will be an opportunity for families to enjoy the wonderful range of activities on offer at the venue while having the opportunity to meet other families and chat to Visibility staff. We will also be welcoming along Leanne form Compass Brain injury specialists who will be on hand to offer information and answer questions about the support she can offer to families.

We will be providing lunch on the day.

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.

Success for Forth Driving at the Riding for the Disabled Carriage Driving Scottish Qualifiers at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh, 23rd May 2019

It was an early start for drivers, coaches and volunteers as they headed off to Hopetoun House Estate for Riding for the Disables Driving Qualifiers Competition for a day of fierce, but friendly, competition. While there was sunshine, the weather was in much contrast from last years blistering heat, with bitterly cold winds to keep competitors on their toes.

Competitors in the Open, Intermediate and Novice Classes all had their eyes set on the opportunity to qualify for the RDA National Championships in July 2019, the largest para-equestrian event of its kind in the world, bigger than the Paralympics and Para World Championships combined.

West & Central Scotland Regional team Forth Driving, had a very successful day of competing with two drivers qualifying for the Nationals. Ann Cameron was 1st in the Novice Qualifiers, and Linda Farqhuar came 2nd in the Open Qualifiers, both qualifying for the Nationals. In the Dressage class, there was an exciting and dramatic finish when Ann Cameron, the last Dressage competitor to drive, drove an excellent test to take the top spot, snatching victory from Daniel Cowan (Fliskmillan) who had held the best dressage score until Ann’s drive. Forth Driving’s Lynn Sharp, was the winner of the Fliskmillan Trophy, a fun competition for new comers to competition or for those that love to compete but struggle to learn the dressage test or learning the cones/obstacle course.

Forth Driving’s success was completed by bagging the RDA Challenge Cup for the highest cumulative score. After a well fought contest, it was smiles all round for drivers and coaches alike, a true testament to the spirit in which RDA drivers and coaches alike compete.

Special thanks go to Eileen Cornish and her team for all of their preparation both before and during the day to ensure that all ran smoothly.

Results:

Open Class 2nd Linda Farquhar, Forth Driving

Novice 1st Ann Cameron, Forth Driving

The above have qualified for the National Championships

Fliskmillan Trophy Lynn Sharp, Forth Driving

Best Dressage Ann Cameron, Forth Driving

Hopetoun RDA Challenge Cup Forth Driving Group

GOGA Forth Valley is delighted to announce we’ve now added a ‘wheelchair loader’ bike to our fleet! Hope (pictured left) was very happy to get first shot!

This bike is now available to book out on our Thursday weekly cycles. All of our bikes can also be booked out on various days by groups/ individualsthey’re great bikes and we’d love to see them being put to good use.

Booking is essential, please contact Eva on 01786 466486 or goga@fvds.org.uk.

GOGA Forth Valley is delighted to award our wonderful volunteers with certificates, badges and keyrings, kindly supplied by Volunteering Matters, to celebrate Volunteers Week.

This is just a small way of thanking them all their hard work and comittment to our project as we celebrate the work of volunteers throughout our project.

Our volunteers give their time each week to welcome and support everyone throughout our various different activity and sport sessions. We can’t thank them enough and we hope they continue to enjoy being part of our GOGA project for a long time to come!

Some quotes from our volunteers:

Stuart: “I started off at cycling & fun fitness for myself to get out and about then I saw how everyone enjoyed the sessions so wanted to get involved more.”

Deborah: “I enjoy helping others, giving something back and I feel good afterwards.”

Iain: “I enjoy helping and doing my bit for the community. It’s very worthwhile and rewarding.”

Alan: “Getting out, meeting people and helping along the way is what I enjoy most.”

Aces at Broomhill – Tennis festival for people with additional support needs

24th August 2019, 2-4pm: Come along and join us between 2 and 4 pm for a fun afternoon at Broomhill Tennis Club! All ages and abilities welcome!

Hillhead Tennis and Rugby ASN Festival

Sunday 24th August, 2pm – 4pm: Inclusive for all – great social afternoon.

Lothian Phoenix claimed the CliniMed Scottish Basketball Championships (SBC) Play Offs on Saturday 1st June at The Peak, Stirling.

The format of the Play Offs saw number one seeds Glasgow Rocks Masters play Dundee Dragons in the first semi final while 2nd seeded Glasgow Rocks 3 tip off against East of Scotland side Lothian Phoenix. The winners then set to contest a semi final and with a 3rd / 4th place match also scheduled.

Semi final 1 saw favourites and SBC league champions, Glasgow Rocks Masters record a 58-41 victory in a high scoring match, while Lothian Phoenix overcame 2nd favourites for the title Glasgow Rocks 3 in a convincing 44-31 win. This set up an encounter between the Masters and the Phoenix and it turned out to be a thrilling encounter which came right down to the wire as the younger side just come out on top with a 59-53 triumph! Despite the defeat, the MVP was awarded to Master Gary Davidson who scored an incredible 31 points, including 4 x 3 shots from outside the key!

Glasgow Rocks 3 proved too much for Dundee Dragons in the 3rd/4th Place Play Off, recording a convincing 50-26 victory.

The event also saw a Woman’s All Star match, inviting players from Scottish Woman Warriors and Scottish Wildcats in an East v West match sponsored by Blackwood. The players from the West of Scotland proved victorious on this occasion, claiming the bragging rights in a 23 – 10 victory.

Young Keeley Cerretti and her mum Jan, from South Lanarkshire, were the envy of many when they got given the VIP treatment at the prestigious UEFA Champions League Cup Final in Madrid last weekend.  This was due to Keeley’s “braveheart” face being in all the European match programmes for the UEFA’s Equal Game Campaign.   

Keeley was in her element and had an amazing experience getting to meet footballing legends like Luis Figo, however Baris Telle, Turkish Amputee star was her favourite.   She was also chosen to be a referee escort meaning she got 2 strips to keep ? 

Keeley’s mum and dad, Jan and David, were bursting with pride seeing Keeley so happy spending time with the football legends, Champions League Referees and Baris Telle (Turkish Amputee Star). 

Keeley was buzzing the whole weekend and was treated like a mini VIP by the wonderful UEFA guys.  She thanks everyone for their hospitality and kindness and is now really looking forward to the European Kids Camp in Germany this summer. 

 The pictures tell it all really! 

 If you or anyone you know is interested in Amputee Football please contact ashley@amputeefootballscotland.co.uk  or alternatively lynn.allison@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

On Tuesday 28^th May 2019, South Lanarkshire Disability Sport (SLDS) held their Annual Awards dinner and AGM at the Town House in Hamilton.

It was a great turn out from the many talented athletes and their families, and schools, clubs and coaches that contribute so greatly to providing activities for the South Lanarkshire residents.

There were a few speakers on the night which gave a great insight into disability sport in the area and beyond.  David Crawford, South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture (SLLC) provided an update on the activities that take place in South Lanarkshire (SL) and the successes that the athletes have had.  Gavin MacLeod, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) gave an overview of SDS and how they link in/support SLDS and SLLC.  This support and relationship between SDS, SLDS and SLLC is crucial in the development of disability sport in SL.

It is not an easy task standing up in front of that amount of people, but Adam Donnachie, Scottish squad swimmer and basketball player gave a very inspirational speech on how he got involved in sport and what sport has done for him.   He gave a great account of his experience and what he aims to do next and everyone at SLDS wishes Adam every success for the future.

The evening was a great success with a fabulous array of talent attending, along with great and inspirational keynote speakers.  Well done everyone nominated for an award, the winners of the award and to the organisers for putting on a great night.

The winners are below:

Junior Male Sports Performer of the Year – Alexander Thomson – Athletics
Junior Female Sports Performer of the Year – Shiona McClafferty – Swimming
Adult Male Sports Performer of the Year – Jack Connelly – Bowls
Adult Female Sports Performer of the Year – Hazel Irvine – Badminton
Coach of the Year – Steven Moffat – Claremont Colts Football Club
Club of the Year – U18 Scottish wheelchair basketball Squad
High School of the Year – Lanark Grammar
Primary School of the Year – High Blantyre and Greenburn School

 If anyone would like more information on SLDS please contact Marion Wotherspoon on marion.wotherspoon@southlanarkshire.co.uk

With some tense moments and close matches, talent and competition was plentiful at this year’s Grampian Games. But it wasn’t only the top performers who left a lasting impression.

The Branch’s annual 2-day multi-sport event comprised of competitions in boccia, 10-pin bowling, table tennis and bowls, and took place at Aberdeen Sports Village and Garioch Indoor Bowling Centre over the weekend of the 25th and 26th May. The event attracted around 70 participants from across Grampian and beyond, including our visitors from Dundee Boccia Club.

What was very notable about the whole event was the relaxed and friendly atmosphere created by the competitors, who gave it their absolute all during the competition but were welcoming to our visiting teams and courteous towards their fellow competitors, even following a defeat.

Thanks goes to everyone who made the day possible including all of the volunteers at Grampian Disability Sport, staff at Garioch Indoor Bowling Centre and Aberdeen Sports Village, the parents and carers who made sure the participants were able to attend, and to the participants themselves for really doing Grampian proud.

The results for the competitions were as follows.

Saturday 25th May – Boccia

Group A (Adult Players with Physical Disabilities):
Gold: Kerry Mathers
Silver: Samantha Sturrock
Bronze: Sheila Hendry

Group B (Adult Players with Learning Disabilities):
Gold: Andrew Keddie
Silver: Stuart Gunn
Bronze: Rebecca Perry

Group C (Adult Players who use Assistive Devices):
Gold: Hannah Craig & assistant, Carole Craig

Group D (Junior Players):
Gold: Holly McWilliam
Silver: Daniel Strong
Bronze: Kyle Latto

Saturday 25th May – Table Tennis

Open Ladies Singles:
Gold: Kara Rae
Silver: Eveline Johnston
Bronze: Julie Morrison

Open Men’s Singles:
Gold: Alex Rae
Silver: Stephen Welsh
Bronze: Terry Sowah

Men’s Singles for Players with Learning Disabilities:
Gold: John Clark
Silver: Andy Drummond
Bronze: Aaron Morrison

Mixed Doubles:
Gold: Alex Rae & Kara Rae
Silver: Steven Welsh & Eveline Johnston

Sunday 26th May – 10-pin Bowling
Gold: Scott Fisher
Silver: Emma Stelmach
Bronze: Robert Travis

Sunday 26th May – Indoor Bowls

Ladies:
Gold: Shona Fraser
Silver: Kelly McDonald
Bronze: Kerry Mathers

Mens:
Gold: Tommy Low
Silver: Alan Dawson
Bronze: Robert Travis & Malcolm Cran

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.