We are delighted to announce details for the upcoming West Para-port Festival 2018

Date:   Friday 9^th March 2018

Time:  10.00am – 3.00pm (9:30am arrival and registration)

Venue: Ravenscraig, Motherwell

The Para-sport Festival is aimed at children who have a physical disability and/or visual impairment who attend mainstream school and are aged between P6 – S6.

This event is designed to allow young people to experience a range of Para-sports delivered by some of the best clubs and coaches available in the West of Scotland.

It provides a range of opportunities for young people to try new and exciting sports and learn more about the pathways that are available in the region. Furthermore, the event will highlight the opportunities for young people with disabilities to achieve at the highest level and hopefully inspire them to become our stars of the future.

Examples of sports that may be on offer are: Athletics, Boccia, Basketball, Football, Rowing, Tennis, Table Tennis etc.

Booking information

To book on please read and complete the information and consent form and return it to Lynn Allison lynn.allison@scottishdisabilitysport.com or Lori Ure lori.ure@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Please click here for consent form.

Please note the closing date is Friday 16^th February but places are limited to 100 pupils so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Sunday 21^st January 9.30-11.30 @ GA Arena, Dundee Utd

This is a great opportunity to try the game and meet new people in the area.

For more information contact Ashley: ashley@amputeefootballscotland.co.uk

Owen Miller from Fife AC ran at the FPSG Scottish National Indoor Open event at the weekend and recorded the second fastest time in his career. Coach Steve Doig was pleased with his time of 4.03.13 for second place in the A race. Owen was beaten by one of his new training partners, Alex Johnston from Pitreavie AAC, who ran 4.02.36 for a 7 second PB.

This is Owen’s best ever time indoors and is his second fastest time ever – beaten only by his 4.02.63 in 2012 prior to the Paralympic Games in London when he was challenging for a place in the British team. Owen was delighted with his quality run for the second weekend in succession.

Coach and athlete have now set new targets for the period ahead. Owen has always believed that one day he will break 4 minutes for 1500 metres. The start he has made this season suggest that he is very much on the right track. Well done yet again Owen.

Photo: many thanks to Bobby Gavin 

 

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

In October last year one of Kinfauns Riding for Disabled (RDA) volunteers went to South Africa, for three weeks, to help at the Cintsa non-profit horse rescue centre, who currently have 48 horses in their care.

Prior to going, Clare did some fund raising for the rescue centre as it is a constant battle to feed and care for so many horses. With help from family and friends and many volunteers from Kinfauns RDA they raised just over £1,000.

They also decided to get some second hand horsey things to donate. This took off and that ended up with seven boxes, over 90kgs, of items which then had to be shipped to South Africa. The import regulations and cost were very tricky but some wonderful generous people helped to make it happen. The boxes finally arrived in time for New Year.

Lots of the lovely Kinfauns volunteers supported the fund raising by attending an afternoon tea and many also donated things to send out.

There were two saddles, girths, numnahs, bridles, grooming kits, haynets, bandages, even polo mints, rain sheets, fly masks and many other things.  The local vets were very supportive too.

One of the main ways that the rescue centre raise funds to support itself is by doing trail rides with some of the rescue horses. Angie, from Kinfauns RDA, was a star and donated 16 riding helmets. These will be a fantastic help to the rescue centre.

This is a lovely story of an RDA stables in Scotland, along with many of its volunteers, helping lots of beautiful horses in a rescue centre in South Africa. The rescue is always looking for volunteers so if you would like to donate, or would be interested in an amazing volunteering experience in South Africa, please contact Clare: cfwmarshall@gmail.com for more information.

Cintsa Facebook and web page links – https://www.facebook.com/Cintsa-Horses-The-Newhampshire-Rehabilitation-Centre-198431720199937/ and http://cintsahorses.co.za/

 

Niamh Currie from Dunfermline received a very special Christmas present at the end of last year – a brand new colourful racing wheelchair built by Bromakin.

The St Margaret’s Primary School pupil is a member of the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) wheelchair racing squad and has been training and competing in a borrowed DSF chair. Her enthusiasm for the sport prompted her parents to explore options for funding and a grant for £2,500 became available from the Variety Club in Scotland. The family met the shortfall. A very special Christmas present for the young Fife athlete who is coached by Pamela Robson and trains at Pitreavie Athletics Centre.

Chair design is so important to individual athletes for comfort and efficiency. Since she started racing Niamh has pushed in a wheelchair funded by the students at the University of St Andrews Netball Club that was previously used by Callum Sloan before he acquired his new chair. Niamh’s new chair has been measured up for her specifically and she is delighted with all aspects. She will have many enjoyable experiences in her new chair and has already been out and about on numerous occasions including a session with the squad.

Niamh is the second Fife athlete to secure a new racing wheelchair in 2018. This now means that all five squad members have managed to access new racing wheelchairs in the last two years. Most have moved from borrowed chairs. The athletes and Disability Sport Fife are indebted to the many individuals and organisations that have contributed almost £20,000 of funding to support the squad members over the past months.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

By his own high standards last year was quiet for Owen Miller from Fife AC. Winter training has gone well under the direction of coach Steve Doig and he has had the best start of any season to date, running indoors in Glasgow.

At the BMC/Glasgow AA Metric Miler Meeting, that incorporates the Scottish 3000m championships, the Dunfermline athlete ran 8:49.00 for a personal best by 8 seconds. Brilliant run Owen and all the very best for the remainder of the season.

 

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Congratulations to Graham McIntyre from Leven who has successfully secured all the money required to purchase a new Bromakin racing wheelchair. Graham is indebted to all his friends and family who contributed £2,000 through the Disability Sport Fife MyDonate page to meet almost half the total costs. Graham is hopeful that he will be able to announce in the near future the name of a key financial supporter for a further £2,000.

Graham joined other members of the Disability Sport Fife wheelchair racing squad and coach Pamela Robson on Thursday evening at Pitreavie for the first run out in his new chair (it was said however that he was a little concerned it would rain and his new chair might get wet). Somehow I do not believe that attitude will last too long.

Graham has been training and racing in a borrowed wheelchair from Scottish Athletics for almost a year. His influence on the other squad members has been entirely positive and the progress he has made on the track in particular has been exceptional. There are high expectations that training and racing in a bespoke chair will lead to more comfortable pushing and ultimately improved racing times. Graham and the other Fife squad members have been inspired by world champion Sammi Kinghorn and coach Ian Mirfin MBE plus of course their own coach Pamela Robson.

Graham is keen for me thank everybody who contributed to his fund raising efforts for their generosity and thoughtfulness. We shall watch this young man’s progress with interest over the season ahead.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

 

Name: David Birtles

Branch: Dundee City Disability Sport

Sport: Wheelchair Basketball, Rugby and Tennis

Club: Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club

How did you get involved in your sport? Newspaper article showing what was happening at Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club. Went down and I was hooked.

How long have you been playing your sport for? I’ve been a Dundee Dragons member for 4 years, playing many different sports, competing for last 3 years.

Biggest Strength (as an athlete): Determination, as I’m not naturally gifted at sports, so have to repeat exercises more then most to learn and improve.

What’s the best thing about your sport? Being able to move at speed, by my own propulsion and just getting involved in sports again, its even  got me out hiking again with a wee bit of added equipment to the wheelchair.

What equipment do you need to take part in your sport? The main piece of equipment is the sports wheelchair, which is loaned to me by Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club. Also tennis racket alongside tennis, basketball and rugby balls.

Greatest sporting achievement: Very hard to say, playing for Scotland in the 2017 rugby league world cup in France is something that I’m very proud of, receiving my first cap. Winning the first ever wheelchair tennis competition held at the Perth tennis club, which means a lot to me as its the oldest tennis club in Scotland.

Favourite Para-athlete: Gordon Reid MBE. It was amazing to see him win Paralympic Gold and Wimbledon in the same year and he presented me my Novice singles trophy at the Glasgow national tennis tournament in 2016, which made it even more special.

Favourite athlete to compete against: As I say I have to work pick to things up and improve, so its good to play with and against Michael Mellon (fellow Dundee Dragons member) who’s a natural at any sport he tries.

Any advice for someone interested in your sport? Get involved in a club like Dundee Dragons and try out the many different sports on offer and with most sports the wheelchair skills are very similar, which makes it easier play more sports and finding the right sport for you.

 

A team of Grampian’s most promising swimmers pulled off a whole host of personal bests at the British Para Swimming Championships this weekend, including setting a new world record!

The first of the successes came on the Saturday, where Rhys Gill (S9), Jason Cobb (S14) and Matthew Scott (S14) all knocked seconds off their 100m Freestyle & 100m Breaststroke times. In the latter event, Conner Morrison (S14) scooped up not just a 1st place win, but a new world record with an incredible time of 1:05.74.

Rhys, Jason & Matthew then all went on to beat their PBs in the 50m Freestyle whilst Conner took home bronze in the 200m Individual Medley as well as securing his own new PB to conclude a very successful Saturday.

Sunday’s events got off to a flying start and saw all four boys break their PBs in the 100m Backstroke event.

Conner then knocked over two seconds off his 100m Fly PB, just missing out on a medal in the event, and took 5th place in the 200m Freestyle event having taken an impressive three seconds off his previous best. Matthew’s efforts granted him a new PB over three seconds faster than previously recorded, and Jason followed suit with an exceptional 10 seconds shaved off his time in the same event.

Well done to the boys, their coaches and their parents for their efforts, and a special thanks to Linda Gill for providing results back to Grampian HQ.

Don McFarlane was awarded the Disability Coach of the Year Award at the recent ClubSport Edinburgh Sports Awards, recognising many years of dedication to disability swimming across Edinburgh and the East of Scotland.

The ClubSport Edinburgh Sport Awards recognise teams and individuals who have performed extraordinarily or those passionate people who dedicate their lives helping others.  The ceremony, managed by ClubSport Edinburgh with support from a range of partners, took place at the City Chambers on Friday 1^st December.

Don McFarlane has been developing and inspiring swimmers with a disability for well over 20 years, initially in Midlothian and latterly in Edinburgh with discrete swim club Lothian Racers.  Don has coached locally, regionally and nationally, helping a great number of para swimmers reach their potential in the sport, ensuring the individuals have all the relevant tools to achieve their individual goals – some previous swimmers include Paralympic medal winners Jim Anderson OBE, James Clegg and Scott Quin.

Earlier in 2017, Don decided to step down as head coach for Lothian Racers and this award recognises the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication over the years and is thoroughly well deserved.  Don remains heavily involved with the East of Scotland Regional Squad, continuing to work closely with up and coming swimmers hoping to achieve similar success to swimmers that have went before.  Don also received recognition at this year’s Lothian Disability Sport Awards, reinforcing the high esteem which he is held across the region.