Ollie Carter from Cupar and Carnegie Swimming Club travelled to Southampton last weekend for the National Junior Para Swimming Championships and returned with three gold medals.

In addition the young Bell Baxter HS pupil broke his own 400m freestyle record and set a time of 4:23.09. Ollie also broke the Scottish record for 200IM set by Paul Noble back in 1994 with a new time of 2:23.45

Ollie has recently passed his pool lifeguard qualification and is now looking forward to putting his new skills into action. Ollie is coached by Morag Mitchell at Carnegie SC and his strength and conditioning programme is set by Stuart Bizzarri of the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

By Allan Ritchie

Back to reality with a bump. It’s 4c and lashing down with rain, a stark contrast to the 30-36C I’ve “enjoyed” for the last week in Al-Ain, UAE, where the inaugural World Shooting Para Sport Para Trap 2018 World Cup has just been held at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

I’ve had a great time in the company of some truly exceptional individuals competing in rifle, pistol and shotgun competition. A great time had with the GB rifle and pistol squad and staff members; thank you for your help, support and welcome.

The Al Ain shooting ground is exceptional, a great range with a fresh green carpet of grass awaiting you each morning after the previous days clays were removed. The range staff were efficient and lent assistance in every way they could, so my thanks to them for running a near perfect competition.

The GB Para Trap squad performed well. Congratulations to Keith White who secured his MQS in his first major international competition. Michael Drever shot exceptionally well in training. This followed through the qualification rounds to secure Bib #2 for the final. Unfortunately, in Olympic Trap, Bib number is no guarantee of a medal and Mike was cruelly pipped at the post, finishing fourth. This is still a fantastic achievement so congratulations Mike.

I had a great time during free and pre-event training; shooting OT with mates from around the world, it doesn’t get much better! Solid rounds of 20, 20 and 24 (64/75) saw me ranked #1 at the end of day one, sharing the score with Australia’s Scottie Brydon.

Sunday, day two qualification: two more solid rounds of 24 and 22 gave a final qualification score of 110/125. Scottie shot exactly the same also giving him 110/125, meaning we jointly set and hold the new World Record for qualification (well done mate!).

A shoot off ensued for Bib #1 and 2 in the final, which I managed to sneak with a 2-1. From my perspective, not sure about the folks watching, a very tense final was shot with the lead bouncing backwards and forwards through the six-man field. I started pretty poorly and had to dig deep to get back into the competition to have any chance at a medal position, thankfully, training and process kicked in and I managed to secure the Gold medal with Scottie taking Silver and Oreste Lai taking Bronze.

I’m incredibly proud to represent Great Britain. To secure a Gold Medal at a World Cup, setting a World and European Record for the GB team, is something I never thought I would have the opportunity to do after my Spinal Cord Injury. It just shows, you should never give up, you don’t know what’s around the corner.

And now, for the Oscars part. Many thanks to the following people and organisations who have helped me get here:

My far better half, Izzy Ritchie, I could not do this without your support (and, more importantly, your approval)

Julian Coupland

Lewis Reed WAV Ltd

Cyclone Mobility – Stuart Dunne & Mark Eccleston

Scottish Target Shooting

Marco Micheli

Grampian Disability Sport

Scottish Disability Sport

Sportscotland

Anglo Italian-Arms

If you, or anyone you know, lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is keen to get involved in Para Sport, please contact Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or on 07828 744 848.

The sixth Live Borders Celebration of Sport Awards took place on Friday 23 March at the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels.

The Awards, introduced in 2013, recognise the individuals, teams and events that are helping to drive forward sporting excellence and participation across the region.

Gordon’s Sammi Kinghorn reigned supreme again with victory in two of the marquee awards, one which is voted for the by the public. It is testament to how disability sport is viewed in the area that Sammi was the second para-athlete in a row to win the main Sports Personality of the Year award. Libby Clegg won last year’s award thanks to her double-gold performance at Rio 2016.

Sammi was busy in the Gold Coast preparing for the marathon at the Commonwealth Games but mum Elaine was on hand to pick up the awards on behalf of the 22 year old.  Elaine highlighted the family’s gratitude at picking up the Sport Personality of the Year accolade where Sammi was up against Scottish Rugby International players Ross Ford and Stuart Hogg in a public vote.  The achievement is certainly no mean feat considering the quality of the two other shortlisted athletes and highlights just how big a star Sammi Kinghorn is across Scottish Sport.

Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group Chairperson, Graham Cook was on hand to present Elaine with Sammi’s first award of the evening – Inspirational Performance of the Year Award for her incredible gold medal and world record performance (T53 200m) at the IPC World Championships in July last year.

Another athlete currently in the Gold Coast representing Team Scotland was Borders Elite Swim Team (BEST) athlete Beth Johnston.  The Gala Academy student is in Australia preparing for the SM10 200m Individual Medley – with the preliminary races scheduled for Saturday 7th April – and was also unable to pick up her Disability Sports Award but did record a message thanking everyone involved for the recognition of her recent achievements.  Beth’s Coach Robyn Methven was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the 16 year old.

Borders Boccia Club were on the final shortlist of three for the club of the year award but were pipped to the accolade by Gala Cricket Club.  Furthermore, the Boders Regional Boccia Championships were also shortlisted for Event of the Year, however were edged out by winners Hendersyde Park Horse Trials.  Although both boccia nominations narrowly missed out, the fact they were shortlisted highlights the growth and development of the sport in the region.

We are holding a ceilidh in aid of Forth Driving Group RDA on Saturday, 21^st April 2018 from 7.30 pm until 11.00 pm in the Victoria Halls, Dunblane, FK15 9EX. Featuring the Fraser MacKinnon Ceilidh Band.

Tickets are £10 (kids £8), BYOB and snacks, Raffle

For more information and tickets please contact Penny on 01786 464516 or e-mail misspg@hotmail.co.uk.

You can find out more about the Forth Driving Group at www.facebook.com/rdaforthdriving.

A relaxed triathlon event held in Grampian has been hailed a success!

Tea, Talk & Tri, a celebratory event marking the half way point of Grampian’s Get Out Get Active project, took place in Aberdeen Sports Village and was run by Grampian Disability Sport (GDS) in partnership with Triathlon Scotland.

The event saw approximately 15 participants of all ages, with and without disabilities, try out swimming, cycling and running or walking in an informal environment supported by the fantastic volunteers from GDS & Andy Redman from Triathlon Scotland. Participants were given the opportunity to enter any or all of the disciplines and were offered a range of distances to choose from.

The event focused on providing a no-pressure introduction to sport and physical activity through the flexible nature of the event & the provision of beverages throughout the day, and attracted families from right across Grampian. Bikes for people without disabilities were provided by Triathlon Scotland who benefitted from funding from Cashback for Clubs, and GDS’ fleet of adapted cycles (including tandem bikes, a trike & hand cycles) was brought in to meet the needs of those with disabilities.

Participants left with a thirst for more triathlon & this has been noted by GDS & Triathlon Scotland, who are keen to ensure that ongoing triathlon opportunities are available in the future.

If you, or anyone you know, lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is keen to get involved in Para Sport, please contact Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or on 07828 744 848

Orianne Slater (2017 British Disability Junior Overall Champion, City of Aberdeen Gymnastics) claimed two medals in her first senior level competition despite being injured.

At the beginning of February, Orianne suffered a serious sprain to her ankle. She was unable to train for four weeks and unfortunately had to withdraw from the Scottish Masters which took place during the 2018 Scottish National Artistic Championships in Perth on February 25th.

Eventually, on March 2nd, Orianne went back to training. Although she had been selected to compete on all four apparatus, she and Lorna Presly (head coach at City of Aberdeen Gymnastics) decided to concentrate on Balance Beam and Uneven Bars for the British Masters. Her routines were adapted and, as a result, the difficulty rating was decreased.

The British Masters, part of the 2018 Gymnastics British Championships on 11th March in Liverpool, was Orianne’s first event at Senior level. She performed well (even adding an element that she hadn’t practiced for weeks to her Bar routine!) and won Gold on Bars (her 3rd British Uneven Bar Champion title in a row) and Bronze on Beam.

Lorna Presly (coach) said: “Fantastic result from Orianne Slater who was selected to take part at the British disability masters this weekend at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. After a disappointing start to  the year for Orianne,  having  to withdraw from the Scottish disabilities masters last month, due to an ankle injury, and to now come home with  gold on bars and bronze on beam.  What a great result! Now to work hard over the next few months, to gain new skills for the Scottish and British championships later on in the year.”

As well as City of Aberdeen Gymnastics club, Orianne’s parents especially wish to thank her coach, Lorna Presly, for her dedication and the Active Aberdeen Partnership for its renewed financial support!

If you, or anyone you know, lives in Grampian with a physical, sensory or learning disability and is keen to get involved in Para Sport, please contact Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or on 07828 744 848

Ayrshire Sportsability held their Annual Charity Ball on Saturday 17^th March 2018 in The Princess Royal Suite, Ayr Racecourse.  The purpose of the ball is to raise awareness of Ayrshire Sportsability and also to raise money to fund the numerous festivals/events that run throughout the year.    Attendees of the Ball receive a fabulous 4-course meal, and the chance to dance the night away, all for a great cause!

The Charity Ball also hosts the Ayrshire Sportsability Awards which celebrates the success of Ayrshire athletes, coaches, volunteers, schools and clubs while bringing together everyone involved in Disability Sport in Ayrshire.

Winners are below:

Rory McKinna – Young Athlete of the Year

Jamie McCowan – Athlete of the Year

Bonnyton Thistle Flyers – Activity in the Community

John Keast – Disability Sports coach

Dalmilling Primary School – Most Active School

Nominations are put forward through schools, Active Schools, Sports Development and local clubs/organisations throughout the whole of Ayrshire so thanks to all those who took the time to nominate.  Congratulations to all winners and runners up, and keep up the good work.

If anyone is interested in knowing more about the ball, the awards, festivals or Ayrshire Sportsability in general then please contact admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk or alternatively their website www.ayrshiresportsability.org.uk

At the excellent Kirkcaldy & Central Fife Sports Council Annual Sports Awards evening at Fife College, Disability Sport Fife (DSF) President Richard Brickley received a £500 cheque from Greig Hopcroft, KCFSC development officer. The cheque was in response to a grant application submitted by DSF for continued Sports Council support for the very successful inclusive gymnastics programme at the Enigma Gymnastics Club.

DSF and the Enigma club have been working in partnership for 18 months on a series of initiatives that have resulted in around 15 young gymnasts with additional support needs being threaded into the club’s training sessions. With initial support from parent Paula Ryce and Meg Buchanan of Active Fife, Head Coach Jenn Mann and her team of dedicated coaches established a series of separate sessions for gymnasts with Down Syndrome specifically.

Disability Sport Fife helped with education, training, registration and publicity and Kirkcaldy and Central Fife Sports Council provided grant aid to cover gymnast governing body registrations. Enigma gymnasts with additional support needs are now threaded throughout the club and a significant number of Enigma coaches play a part in their learning and development. The Enigma model, with partner support, is a wonderful example of successful inclusive sport in action. Disability Sport Fife and Enigma are working together as part of Get Out Get Active (GOGA in Fife) supported by Spirit of 2012. This is a UK wide programme aimed at creating inclusive active recreation opportunities for inactive individuals with disabilities. DSF leads the GOGA in Fife programme.

Enigma head coach Jenn Mann was recognised in the coach of the year section of the awards evening and received her runners up trophy from Heather Birrell from Dundas Estates and Development. Outstanding Enigma volunteer Linda Cameron was also recognised at the awards evening for the invaluable role she plays in the running of the Enigma club. Sadly I did not manage to take a photo of Linda but the full record of presentations will be captured on the KCFSC web site.

Thank you KCFSC for your continued support and interest in DSF members and also the Enigma coaches and families for creating a very special inclusive sporting environment.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife.

Do you know anyone with physical impairments or learning difficulties, who might like to try ice skating?

What is inclusive skating?

This is what Inclusive Skating is about:

• It enables children and adults with physical and learning impairments to have fun on ice.
• Family members are welcome. Inclusive Skating is for the whole family.
• Coaching provides a sporting pathway to all levels: club, UK and International competitions.

A new club for Forth Valley

With popular clubs successfully established at Coatbridge and Braehead, Glasgow, we want families within the Forth Valley region to have the same opportunities. Watch our skaters on YouTube: bit.ly/ISyoutube, to see what you or your loved one might achieve!

Find us on Facebook: fb.me/InclusiveSkatingStirlingAndForthValley/

We need to know that enough families are interested to enable us to start this club. Please contact me to show your support: Fayzan Rehman. Mobile: 07787 571477, Email: fayzan.rehman@outlook.com.

Congratulations to the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) junior athletics squad that managed to win back the national sportshall team trophy at Grangemouth on Thursday 8th March. Team Fife finished runners up in 2017 having won the championship the year previously. The popular junior inter area event is organised by Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport.

Each team of ten junior athletes must include five athletes with a learning disability, at least three athletes with a physical impairment and a maximum of two athletes with sensory impairments. All athletes compete for points in five track events and five field events. The championship is held indoors and the five track events are relays of one sort or another – 10 x 1 lap, team obstacle relay, slalom relay etc. The field events include speed bounce, seated chest push, standing long jump, target throw, hi-stepper and javelin.

As well as winning the national sportshall title, the Fife B team finished in fourth position. Brilliant results by the full Fife junior athletics squad. The full list list of participants was as follows:

Team A

Callum Sloan (Queen Anne HS)
Connor Brown (Woodmill HS)
Cameron Herring (Touch Pr)
Abbie Steggles (Dunfermline HS)
Cameron Adam (Dunfermline HS)
Matthew Blair (Woodmill HS)
Alex Evans (Balwearie HS)
Aaron Howe (Bell Baxter HS)
Rosalind Penman (Balwearie HS)
Larsson McKeown (Balwearie HS)

Team B

Finlay Davidson (Inverkeithing HS)
Owen Carmichael (Commercial Pr)
Sophie Coughlin (Bell Baxter HS)
Skye Davidson
Callum Robertson (Balwearie HS)
Shakeel Ul Haq (Lochgelly HS)
Michelle Harley (Lochgelly HS)
Ryan Dowie (Woodmill HS)
Edwin Barron (Woodmill HS)
Ryan Baird (Lochgelly HS)

Disability Sport Fife provides weekly run, jump and throws sessions in Dunfermline, Glenrothes and St Andrews and athletes prepared for the event under the guidance of DSF coaches.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife