Among the squad of junior para sports participants in Fife who have enjoyed a successful year, Cameron Adam from Dunfermline is up there with the best. Since moving to Fife AC and teaming up with coach Steve Doig, Cameron has gone from strength to strength. Cameron has a very positive approach to training and has slotted in perfectly to his Fife Athletic Club training group. Steve is pleased with Cameron’s progress in his first year as a Fife AC member and believes he has the essential qualities to develop as a sprinter and thrower. Cameron’s sense of humour and determination are worthy of special mention.

This past season Cameron has produced a series of personal bests and added 200 metres to his list of favoured events. Cameron is working hard on his winter programme with Steve and continuing to inspire and support the younger members of the DSF Thursday run, jump and throws session at Pitreavie Athletics Centre.

Cameron competes in the T37 class and may even consider following in the footsteps of his Fife team mate Connor Brown and compete in cross country. Cameron and Connor are members of the Fife Sportshall Athletics team that won the National Team title earlier in the year.

Disability Sport Fife has an ever increasing group of young Para sports participants with physical, sensory or learning disabilities who have demonstrated they have the qualities to follow in the footsteps of great Fife Paralympians and Hall of Fame members of the past.

Cameron is fully aware that success only comes to those who commit totally to training and make the appropriate sacrifices associated with performance sport. Cameron has a very supportive family, a very positive attitude, a supportive inclusive coach and membership of an excellent athletics club. The basics are all in place now watch this space….

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Congratulations to Julie Allen from Leven and East Fife Community Support Services who recently received two trophies at the Windygates Bowling Club annual awards evening.

The first trophy awarded to Julie was the Anderson Trophy as the Ladies single hand champion. In addition to being the first Disability Sport Fife (DSF) member to win a club singles title, Julie has earned the right to represent Windygates BC at the Bowls Scotland National Championships in Ayr in the summer.

Julie partnered Windygates BC President Ian Moreland to the mixed pairs title and on awards night collected her second major club trophy. What a remarkable achievement by one of the most popular DSF lady members and a regular member of Team Fife at the Scottish Disability Sport National Lawn Bowls Championships, National Carpet Bowls Championships, Scottish Indoor Championships and Scottish Inter Area Championships. Julie is a past Fife indoor and outdoor champion.

Julie has been a member of Windygates BC for some time along with Gary Lindsay, Wayne Moreland, Willie Christie and Craig Bernard. As well as being a very competent player she has been an inspiration to others. East Fife CSS has one of the most well developed bowls programmes for players with additional support needs and key to that success has been the role played by the very inclusive Windygates BC.

In the photograph with Julie is retired East Fife CSS staff member John Collins. John is the Team Fife team manager and during his time with Fife Council played a key coaching role in Julie’s development as an outdoor, indoor and carpet bowler.

Congratulations to Julie on achieving something very special in the development of inclusive bowls in Fife and thank you to the members of Windygates BC for encouraging, supporting and inspiring bowlers with disabilities to reach the very highest levels in their sport.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group (SBDSG) are working in partnership with Live Borders, Scottish Disability Sport and Bowls Scotland to deliver an exciting opportunity for coaches / volunteers who are interested in working with players with a disability in the sport bowls.

The sport continues to develop across the Scottish Borders and the course will provide the opportunity for coaches and volunteers to increase skills and confidence when working with individuals with a physical, learning or visual impairment. No previous experience in working in Para Bowls is required, however a willingness and enthusiasm to learn new skills is a great start.

The course will look into effective communication, adapted equipment and how to tailor sessions to meet the specific requirements of the individual and will be delivered by Scottish Disability Sport Inclusion Bowls Performance & Development Manager Ron McArthur.

The details of the course can be found below –

Date: Sunday 17th February 2019

Time: 11am – 3pm

Venue: Tweedbank Indoor Bowling Centre, Tweedbank Industrial Estate, Galashiels, TD1 3RS

Cost: Free of charge

If you are interested in hearing more about this opportunity or looking to register for the workshop, please contact Scottish Disability Sport on admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 317 1130.

Bowls Inclusion Workshop – Tweedbank

As part of a GOGA in Fife Action for Change initiative, some S1 pupils at Auchmuty HS have recently completed their first Walk in the Park and are proudly displaying their walk completion certificates. Walking is one of three core active recreation activities being promoted by GOGA in Fife in partnership with member organisations, Paths for All and Bums Off Seats. Training walks and further Walks in the park are now planned in school or as part of the Disability Sport Fife events programme.

The Action for Change initiative involves GOGA in Fife personnel working with DSF member organisations and others to introduce inclusive active recreation activities to children, young people and adults with additional support needs. Projects to date have involved the introduction of carpet bowls, promotion of adapted cycling and the establishment of a regular programme of indoor activities to adults with severe and complex needs. Key to all the initiatives to date has been the successful cooperative working between staff, volunteers and participants.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Together with Grampian Deaf Children’s Society we are holding a Family Pool Party! Banish those January Blues and make a splash with us and the rest of your family!

When and Where

Portlethen Swimming Pool, Aberdeenshire. AB12 4UR
Saturday 26 January, 3:30pm – 5:30pm

FREE

Bring the whole family… hearing siblings welcome, along with Grannies and Grandpa’s or Aunties and Uncles! However you must abide by Aberdeenshire’s Admission Policy and Adult/child Ratios.

Find out more and book your place:
To book online or for FAQ’s and Ratio’s please see our eventbrite page: https://ndcspoolpartyjan2019.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information please contact:
Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer: swimming@ndcs.org.uk or 0141 354 7860

Tollcross International Aquatics Centre – Wed 21 Nov 2018

Congratulations to all the young Fife swimmers who were selected to represent Disability Sport Fife at the National Junior Swimming Championships organised by Scottish Disability Sport. All swimmers were selected as a result of their performances at the Inter Schools Gala held at Lochgelly HS in September.

The selected swimmers attend one of the following Fife schools: Auchmuty HS, Balwearie HS, Bell Baxter HS, Dunfermline HS, Glenrothes HS, Lochgelly HS, Madras College, Queen Anne HS, Woodmill HS.

Thank you to team manager Jakki O’ Neil from Woodmill HS and the many staff from participating Fife schools who supported the young swimmers on the day. Special thanks to DSF swim coach Kay Maxwell who stepped up to the plate when a number of schools experienced transport challenges in the morning. Many thanks also to Mark Gaffney and the team from SDS and Scottish Swimming who accommodated a number of young Fife swimmers when they missed their events due to late arrival.

The full list of results appears on the Disability Sport Fife web site in the results section. Check out the link to the web site from the Facebook page.

The following swimmers finished in the top three of their respective time banded races and were awarded Scottish Championships medals.

Aidan Morrison – Lochgelly HS – 2nd – 25 front class 7
Ben Murphy – Woodmill HS – 1st – 25 front class 7
Blake Tennant – Madras College – 3rd – 25 back class 9
Calum Robertson – Balwearie HS – 1st – 50 back class 3
Calum Robertson – Balwearie HS – 3rd – 50 front class 1
Connor Innes – Woodmill HS – 1st – 50 front class 4
Ian Strathearn – Woodmill HS – 1st – 25 front class 5
Jack Hanly – Bell Baxter HS – 1st – 25 back class 8
Jack King – Woodmill HS – 2nd – 25 front class 10
John Barrie – Queen Anne HS – 1st – 25 front class 9
Josh Gibson – Madras College – 3rd – 25 back class 5
Kai Trenberth – Woodmill HS – 3rd – 25 back class 10
Kier Fisher – Auchmuty HS – 3rd – 50 breast class 3
Lewis Galloway – Woodmill HS – 3rd – 25 front class 9
Morgan Innes – Woodmill HS – 1st – 25 front class 8
Olek Kowol – Lochgelly HS – 2nd – 25 back class 10
Riley Paterson – Woodmill HS – 1st – 25 front class 6
Scott Todd – Glenrothes HS – 1st – 50 front class 3
Steven Braid – Woodmill HS – 1st – 25 breast class 4
Zac Brown – Woodmill HS – 3rd – 25 back class 8
Brooke Turner-Walker – Balwearie HS – 1st – 50 front class 2
Brooke Turner-Walker – Balwearie HS – 2nd – 25 breast class 4
Brooke Turner-Walker – Balwearie HS – 3rd – 50 back class 3
Erin Dudzik – Queen Anne HS – 1st – 25 front class 10
Gemma Bailey – Madras College – 3rd – 25 front class 10
Jade Trowell – Glenrothes HS – 2nd – 50 front class 4
Lea Ford – Lochgelly HS – 3rd – 25 front class 5
Ruby McDonald – Auchmuty HS – 2nd – 50 back class 4
Ruby McDonald – Auchmuty HS – 3rd – 50 breast class 3
Ruby McDonald – Auchmuty HS – 3rd – 50 front class 2
Skye Hammon – Dunfermline HS – 1st – 25 butterfly class 4
Skye Hammon – Dunfermline HS – 3rd – 50 breast class 2
Skye Hammon – Dunfermline HS – 3rd – 50 front class 1
Zoe MacNulty – Balwearie HS – 2nd – 25 front class 5

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Free Wheelchair Skills Workshop

A great chance to meet other young wheelchair-users and to learn skills to help you become more independent. Extra wheelchairs provided for mums, dads, brothers and sisters to join in with the games. We welcome young people from 2 yrs upwards!

TV presenter Ade Adepitan learnt his skills with us. Why don’t you?

When: Sunday 20th January 10am – 3pm
Where: Leith Academy, 20 Academy Park, Edinburgh EH6 8JQ

Please bring a packed lunch.

Email roy@gokidsgo.org.uk or telephone 01482 887163

Leith Go Kids Go

GOGA in Fife scheduled the 7th Fife Walk in the Park for Thursday 22nd November around 11 15 at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre. Sadly the weather was awful and it was bitterly cold.

Plan B was swiftly brought into action. The Walk in the Park became an Indoor Walk in the Park with around 60 adults with severe and complex needs, plus 30 – 40 support staff, coaches, volunteers and peer mentor volunteers taking part. Instead of a distance leisure walk we changed to a 20 minute walk around the perimeter of the 8 court games hall. Around 11 45, Plan B was judged an outstanding success.

Pamela and I signed off dozens of participation certificates and issued new certificates to first timers. The GOGA in Fife Walk in the Park initiative has been an outstanding success to date and walks 8 ad 9 are planned for early in 2019. In between organised mass walks participants are engaged in local walks with their friends and significant others. Walking, adapted cycling and recreational swimming are core activities of GOGA in Fife. Paths for All and Bums off Seats are key GOGA in Fife partners in the promotion of walking.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Owen Miller from Dunfermline and Fife AC has been an outstanding Disability Sport Fife ambassador for several years. The ex Woodmill HS pupil was identified early on at school as an athlete with potential and not surprisingly Owen joined his local athletics club. Owen then went on to excel in INAS international events and the period leading up to London 2012 demonstrated that he could possibly go all the way and earn full GB selection.

Unfortunately this did not happen. Owen then lost form, picked up a series of injuries and athletics took on a whole new meaning for Fife and Scotland’s leading T20 middle distance athlete. A change of club and coach has completely reversed everything and Owen has just experienced and enjoyed his best season to date by a long way.

Under the guidance of coach Steve Doig at Fife AC, Owen ran 3.57.35 at the Grangemouth meet on 4th July. This was an incredible breakthrough. The run was a staggering 5 second personal best and the first time Owen had broken the elusive 4 minute barrier. Steve is first to acknowledge the role played by Pitreavie AAC athlete Ben Potrykus in that race who paced Owen for 1300m. Without his assistance this very special performance would not have been achieved.

Owen’s run in the Miler Meet 5000m on 27th July was his first ever track race over this distance and he recorded the fastest time ever by a British T20 athlete. This race was memorable because the time was quicker than coach and athlete had predicted and because Owen ran such a well judged tactical race. Running successful tactical races is always a challenge for T20 athletes.

Owen then ran two 1500m events on successive days at the Scottish Championships on the weekend of 11th/12th August. Owen ran a very relaxed time of 4.01.21 in the heat to qualify for the final. This was his second fastest time ever, at that stage of the weekend. It was almost 1.5 seconds quicker than his personal best at the start of the season. In the final the following day, Owen ran even better and managed to break the 4 minute barrier once again with a time of 3.58.97. This was arguably Owen’s best ever run at the Scottish Championship and it was wonderful to observe him being so competitive. Owen’s new belief in his ability was there for all to see.

Coach Steve Doig believes that Owen has always been an athlete who has been prepared to give his best in training and this of course has enabled him to run at a high level in mainstream and Para athletics for a number of years. The 2018 track season however has been his most successful to date and his performances have improved significantly. The difference this year Steve believes is down to one key critical factor:

The athletes within Owen’s training group, many of whom compete at a high level themselves, have made a massive contribution to support Owen during sessions. Many have gone out of their way to provide assist by offering lifts to and from events and to and from training sessions at different venues in Fife. Athletes have also altered their training plans to help Owen during

sessions and their assistance has helped to push his performances to a higher level. His results are a great testament to the support his training partners provide.

That last paragraph sums perfectly the importance and power of quality inclusive training to Para athletes with Owen’s considerable ability. It also emphasises the unique character of Fife AC athletes, coaches, volunteers and committee members who always go that extra mile for all club members. Owen is a great family man but he also has a second family that always looks out for him.

Thank you Fife AC and well done Owen on your very special year. Best wishes with winter training and cross country. 2019 is a special year with major challenges on the horizon. Thanks also to Fife Sports and Leisure Trust for local support and Scottish Athletics personnel for always being there to advise and support when required.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

The 2018 Fife Carpet Bowls Championships organised by Disability Sport Fife(DSF) and supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust were held at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre on Wednesday 21st November. The championships bring to an end the DSF calendar of events for the year and involved 54 adults with a physical, sensory or learning disability in 83 ties for one of nine singles titles.

16 local volunteer markers from bowling clubs in central Fife, coordinated by Math Thomson from Beveridge Park BC, officiated for four hours plus to determine the 2018 Fife champions. DSF will select the Fife team for the Scottish Championships, organised by Scottish Disability Sport Saturday 2nd February, from the results at the Fife championships.
The section for wheelchair users resulted in an all Central Fife CSS final with Jim Donaldson defeating Willie Harrison 8-6. The open men’s final for bowlers with a physical impairment brought together two members of the Scottish Para bowls squad and Billy Allan (Cowdenbeath BC) defeated Glen Livingston (Abbeyview BC) 6 -2 to lift the title. Central Fife CSS friends and rivals Kenny Dow and Neil Laughlin met in the final of the restricted section with Neil ending out on top by 9 shots to 6.

Craig Donaldson from Central Fife CSS is a past Scottish champion and a regular winner of the Fife title. This year he met newcomer Steven Anderson from Dovecot BC in the final and was a convincing winner. Craig Houston from East Fife CSS similarly was a convincing winner of the B section over Wayne Sammut from West Fife CSS. George Goodsir from East Fife CSS won the men’s C section with a victory over Fergus Wilson from West Fife CSS by 7 shots to 3. Newcomer

Connor Mitchell from West Fife CSS won the D section title by defeating Craig Hunter from East Fife CSS 8 – 1.
Tanis Murphy from East Fife CSS won her first ladies open title for bowlers with a learning disability by defeating past Scottish champion Michelle Wallace from Central Fife CSS 6-2. On route to the final she defeated the 2017 champion Julie Allan and promising newcomer Nikki Baxter. Newcomer Carrie Ann Smith from West Fife CSS won the ladies B section title by defeating Roberta Buchan from Central Fife CSS .

DSF is happy to report an increased adult entry for this year’s championships and a definite improvement in the standard of play. DSF is confident it will field a strong team for the Scottish Championships in February. Team Fife will be announced shortly and best wishes to all Fife representatives.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife