There was a significant amount of success for individuals associated with disability sport at the recent award ceremonies in both East and Midlothian.

Both ceremonies took place on Friday 26th October, with the East Lothian Celebrating Sport Awards hosted at the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh and the Midlothian Sports Awards being held at the new Newbattle Campus in Mayfield.

North Berwick tennis player Luke Turnbull claimed the Sports Person with a Disability of the Year award (East Lothian) amid tough competition from others including ELST swimmer Dylan Bleakley. Turnbull is currently part of the National Programme for players with a learning disability and travelled as part of the GB team who competed in Paris, France at the INAS (International Federation for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment) claiming 2 bronze and 1 silver medal.

The Inspiring East Lothian Award went to another North Berwick youngster as Charlie Kay was recognised for his incredible journey through ‘Charlie’s Challenge’. Charlie began this particular challenge just after Christmas and tasked himself with travelling the 179 miles that lies between North Berwick and his beloved Manchester City’s Etihad stadium, clocking up the miles on foot, bike and in the pool over a period of months – raising money for a charity of choice throughout. The impressive journey culminated in the North Berwick youngster being invited along to the Manchester derby as match mascot where his achievements were recognised.

Performance Coach of the Year went to East Lothian Swim Team (ELST) Head Coach, Bruce Halloran. Bruce has overseen the expansion and success of ELST over the last year and supported and developed a number of para swimmers including Stephen Clegg and Hope Gordon.

Heading West to Midlothian, Lothian Special Olympics were recognised for their significant involvement at the Anniversary Games in Stirling during August. Athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers descended on the University of Stirling to support the hugely successful event which was celebrating 40 years of Special Olympics competition.

Pictured: Charlie Kay

It is a useful exercise to reflect and celebrate as the year draws to an end and in this instance the subject is young Cameron Hemphill from Ladybank and Bell Baxter HS. Cameron has cerebral palsy and is one of Fife and Scotland’s up and coming junior swimmers. Cameron follows in the tradition of recent and past Fife swimmers who have demonstrated enormous commitment and dedication to training and have reaped the rewards accordingly.

Cameron’s club history involved an initial period with the Cupar and District club followed by a successful move to InCAS where he struck up an excellent relationship with coach Garrie Roberts. The summer period was a tough time for the Hemphill family when they found out that Garrie was moving on from InCAS. Garrie and Cameron had worked together for 18 months and not only was the partnership strong but Cameron’s progress was significant.

After a great deal of soul searching and consultation with significant others, the family decision was taken to change clubs. A successful approach was made to Morag Mitchell at Carnegie Swimming Club and on September 1st Cameron successfully made his move. Cameron is now a member of the Carnegie SC Performance Development White Squad.

Due to travel challenges and school priorities, Cameron has been unable to commit to early morning training sessions. Carnegie SC head coach Morag Mitchell and her coaching team have been incredibly accommodating in allowing Cameron to maintain his training hours and being flexible with the sessions he attends.

Cameron is now training with the Club 10.5 hours a week. His main Coach is Barry McMillian whom he works with for three sessions. Already they have struck up a strong relationship. Cameron is also coached once a week by Gary Hallam. On Tuesday evenings Cameron trains with the junior and senior performance squads that are coached by Morag herself. Cameron has settled in to the club well and is enjoying training immensely. In addition to Carnegie SC, Cameron is training with the Scottish National Junior Squad once a month.

Cameron has had an excellent swimming year so far. PB’s have been recorded at every major meet. The highlight of the year for Cameron was recording qualifying times for the Scottish Open at Tollcross in Glasgow in June this year. This was the last occasion that Cameron was coached by Garrie Roberts and he set PBs for 100m Backstroke (1:44.20), 50m freestyle (34.27), 110m freestyle (1:18.08) and 400m Freestyle (6:00.34). In the case of 400m freestyle it was a long course PB by over 12 seconds and for 100m backstroke a long course PB by over 8 seconds.

Since joining the Carnegie club, Cameron has competed in the club championships where he set PB’s for 50m back, breast and freestyle. Cameron also swam at the recent Carnegie SC Winter Graded Meet, where he set PB’s in 100M back, breast and freestyle. In his breast stroke the improvement was over 10 seconds and in backstroke over 6 seconds. Cameron won his first ever gold medal in a mainstream meet for his age group.

Cameron’s goals for the coming year are to perform well at the upcoming SDS junior swimming Championships at Grangemouth Sports Complex and also at the British Para-swimming Championships in Manchester at the start of December. In 2019 Cameron will be concentrating on the British International Para Swimming Championships at Tollcross and also the Scottish Open for a second time.

Cameron is one of a number of Fife based Para athletes who have access to a strength and conditioning programme coordinated by the Fife Sports and Leisure Gym gym manager Stuart Bizzarri through Disability Sport Fife. Cameron enjoys two sessions a week at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centrea courtesy of the FSLT talented athlete programme. Like those before him Cameron is benefitting enormously from the strength gains he is experiencing.

Away from training Cameron enjoys cycling and spending time with his friends and family. Cameron is now in his fourth year at Bell Baxter HS and is as conscientious about his studies as he is about swimming. Exams are as important as swim meets and I have no doubt this very committed young Fife swimmer will perform to the best of his ability in both.

In the longer term Cameron is keen to take advantage of Disability Sport Fife volunteering opportunities as a peer mentor and working towards coaching qualifications. In Cameron’s own words he hopes “to ‘give back’ some of the excellent support he has had from Disability Sport Fife over the last few years”. If success is based on commitment and dedication then Cameron Hemphill has every chance of excelling at the highest level in Para swimming.

Cameron was awarded a Bill Pullar Bursary at the Disability Sport Fife Awards evening held earlier in the year. The award was presented by the Provost of Fife because Mrs Margaret Pullar could not attend due to ill health.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Tuesday 23^rd October saw the success of the 2018 Central Parasport Festival, with children and young people with physical, visual and hearing impairments taking part in the event held at Grangemouth Sports Complex.

Pupils from P1 – S6 in mainstream schools travelled from across Central Scotland to take part in a variety of sports such as boccia, badminton, tennis, swimming, athletics, football, cycling, basketball and archery, all delivered by local sports clubs, national coaches and GB athletes.

The event was a great triumph, kindly hosted by Falkirk Community Trust and supported by the Celtic FC Foundation and BP Coast to Coast, it offered new and exciting sports on the day. Strong partnerships from Forth Valley Disability Sport, Active Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council supported the identification of pupils attending this year’s event.

We were delighted to welcome esteemed VIP representatives from local Councils, Trusts and sportscotland, the Provost Tina Murphy from Clackmannanshire and the CEO from the Celtic FC Foundation Tony Hamilton who features in the video below.

An Inclusion workshop was delivered in the afternoon by SDS staff to inform parents, PE teachers and Active Schools Coordinators and give additional insight into subjects such as classification and disability pathways in Central Scotland.

Inspirational speeches closed the event from young Scottish Swimmer Rosie Sheridan from Dunblane High school, who was identified four years ago at her first Central Parasport festival. She inspired her peers by sharing her sporting journey. Also Fiona Christie, Paralympic WH2 badminton player, enthused our attendees with her motivational words and showcasing her great talent.

Cheryl Lappin (SDS Regional Development Manager for Central Scotland) said: “The event was a fantastic success and a worthwhile experience for not only many pupils engaging in sports they may never have tried before, but also their parents and teachers alike. The message is certainly getting out there that the pathway from participation to performance for athletes with a disability is in place within Central, from a local level to an international level.  Most of all, it has been great to see so many pupils with a physical and sensory disability in mainstream schools engage in sports, have fun, and potentially move up the pathway.”

A special thank you to the Celtic FC Foundation and BP Coast to Coast for supporting this year’s event, as well as hosts Falkirk Community Trust,  Forth Valley Disability Sport, Active Stirling, Clackmannanshire Council, Scottish Athletics, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Cycling, Badminton Scotland, basketballscotland, Scottish Archery, Tennis Scotland, Forth Valley Flyers, Falkirk Football Foundation, Stenhousemuir FC, Bannockburn Bowmen Archery Club, Denny High School senior pupils, Barclays volunteers, sportscotland and the Grangemouth Sports Complex staff for their support.

To find out more about this event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:

Cheryl Lappin – cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360

A selection of photos is below from Laurence Bissett – the full gallery can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/whattheflagnog/albums

Are you seeking to develop a career in communications?

Do you have the skills to develop exciting and engaging content?

Do you have a passion for sport?

At basketballscotland we’re looking for an ambitious, energetic and creative Digital Communications Officer who can play a lead role in making basketball in Scotland bigger and better!

As part of a vibrant team, you will receive the support, development opportunities and autonomy to develop basketballscotland’s communication channels and your own career.

The successful candidate will:

• Be able to develop outstanding social media content – including text, graphics and video
• Have experience managing messaging across a variety of media channels
• Have exceptional attention to detail

If you are interested, please review the job description and person specification HERE, which includes information on the application process.

CLOSING DATE: 10am, Monday 19 November 2018
Full Time Position
£24,000-£30,000
Based in Edinburgh

The Scottish Sports Association (SSA) is searching for a Policy and Communications Officer. If you’re looking for the following, this unique role might be perfect for you:

• The opportunity to make a difference
• To support and shape Scottish sport
• To utilise your excellent communication skills while developing new skills and experiences
• To work with partners and develop relationships with individuals and organisations across Scottish sport
• To work with a friendly, fun and dynamic team

We are looking for someone who:

• Wants to make a difference to Scottish sport
• Is energetic and passionate about sport
• Is an outstanding communicator (in writing and verbally)
• Is a ‘people person’ and can build and develop strong relationships with our members, partners and stakeholders
• Can add value to our team and provide valued support to our members.

The SSA is the recognised independent and collective representative organisation for governing bodies of sport in Scotland; we exist to support and represent our members. We work to ensure the interests of our members are represented across Government, Parliament, sportscotland, the voluntary sector and the wider sporting world and always ensure that we provide high quality and valued services to our members.

We are looking for the right fit for our team with outstanding skills in key areas to join our team. While some experience may be beneficial, finding the candidate with the right skills and characteristics is our priority as we are happy to help to develop experience within the role.

The Policy and Communications Officer is a unique role within Scottish sport and is central to providing support and development across Scottish Governing Bodies of sport.

For more information see the Scottish Sports Association website here.

Super 1s cricket is a new exciting form of softball cricket for those with physical, learning or visual/hearing impairments or additional supports needs (ASN) ranging between 12 and 25 years old.  Super 1s welcomes and caters to all impairment groups as the program allows us to focus on the individual needs of our participants. The program has allowed participants to create new lasting friendships as well as allowing the group to be an active part in the community, develop their skill set and learn something new.

Super 1s Hub is launching at the Blantyre Leisure centre on Sunday 21st of October from 2-3pm.

For more information please contact Madison at madisongarland@cricketscotland.com or 07568 319 099.

Super 1s

Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) has a Service Level Agreement with the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. The SLA results in cooperative working in a range of areas including the following – hosting of the busy DSF annual events calendar; provision of settings for the weekly DSF active recreation and sports sessions; access to FSLT staff expertise including the design team; an office base in the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre; support from the vast team of swimming teachers who operate across the FSLT network of swimming pools; support for individual GB and Scottish representative athletes, etc.

One group of FSLT staff members who have embraced inclusive practice wholeheartedly and the principles of Get Out Get Active supported by Spirit of 2012, are the members of the gym teams in FSLT leisure centres across Fife led by Stuart Bizzarri. From east to west individual gym staff enthusiastically support participants of all ages and abilities through the induction process and follow up with individualised programmes that take account of their physical, sensory or learning challenges. From simple programmes on a few pieces of equipment to supported engagement in a wide range of options, positive examples are many and varied. Some gym staff have recorded major successes working with participants with severe and complex needs while others are exploring the challenges associated with gym users with communication differences. Active recreation as promoted by GOGA in Fife sits comfortably with the inclusive FSLT gym team.

There are outstanding examples of participants with disabilities who have not only improved their health and well being but have benefitted immensely from the social and psychological benefits of regular gym visits. Some gym staff in Fife work with DSF members who are competing at the highest level in international Para sport and Stuart himself continues to support aspiring young Fife Para swimmers with Paralympic potential. The bespoke programmes he has devised in conjunction with swimmers and their families are exceptional and result in clear measurable improvements in strength gains.

Thank you to FSLT gym staff across Fife. Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) considers you key partners in our quest to encourage participants to Get Out Get Active in Fife.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

In her very first year as a senior gymnast, Orianne Slater triumphed in the Disability Artistic Gymnastics British Championships 2018 to take home the title of “British Women’s Senior Disability Gymnastics All-Around Champion 2018″.

The Championships, held at Lillieshall National Sports Centre in Telford, was Slater’s first competition since changing both her coach & club, and with a 20% increase in competitor numbers from the 2017, competition was tough and she had to work hard to keep her nerves at bay. But in the end, her dedication to training and focus on the day saw her pick up not only the All-Around top spot, but gold medals in uneven bars, beam and floor (the floor routine being choreographed by team mate & Commonwealth gymnast, Izzy Tolometti).

Orianne’s mum, Lydie, showed appreciation for those who have supported Orianne during her time in disability gymnastics so far:

“I am so grateful for the support from parents, gymnasts and coaches at Garioch Gymnastics Club. In particular, many thanks to Head coach Trish Swan and coach Jamie Czop for believing in Orianne’s ability and coaching her: their expertise and their complete involvement are so appreciated! Also thanks to The Dr Hellen Lind Reith Trust, The Active Aberdeen Partnership, CHC Scotia Helicopters, The Birnie Trust and Grampian Disability Sport for their invaluable support towards Orianne’s development in 2018.”

Well done to Orianne!

If you or anyone you know is living in the Grampian area with a physical, sensory or learning disability and would like to get more involved in sport, please get in touch with Alison Shaw, Regional Manager, on 07828 744 848 or Alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com.

Go Kidz Go are delivering a free wheelchair skills workshop for individuals looking to increase their confidence, develop their skills and improve their independence. Go Kidz Go deliver exciting and interactive workshops across the country and have helped many individuals improve their wheelchair skills, including TV presenter Ade Adepitan!

Details of the session can be found below or by clicking onto the flyer.

When: Sunday 21st October 2018 (10am – 3pm)

Where: Calaiswood School (Duloch Community Campus), Nightingale Place, Dunfermline, KY11 8LW

Who: Wheelchair users aged between 2 – 18 years old

The workshop provides a great chance to meet other young wheelchair users and learn skills to help participants become more independent. Extra wheelchairs can be provided for mums, dads and siblings if required.

If you are keen to find out more or reserve a place, then please contact Claire McKenzie-Sime at roy@gokidsgo.org.uk or 01482 887163.

Recently I caught up with 56 year old Ken de Soyza from Kirkcaldy who is a veteran and served in the RAF for 22 years. He had just completed a swim in the warm pool at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre. Ken values the freedom he enjoys in the water in this excellent Fife Sports and Leisure Trust facility.

Ken’s daughter Caitlyn is a peer mentor volunteer with Disability Sport Fife. I first met Ken around the time he was preparing for the 2016 Warrior Games that were held at West Point in New York State. Ken has always been a very keen road cyclist.

In 2016, while he was out cycling and training for the trials for the 2017 Invictus Games he was hit by a car. Ken suffered serious injuries, including loss of power in his left arm. Ken has what is termed a brachial plexus injury. Ken’s upper limb paralysis affected his ability to handle a cycle safely.

In May of this year Ken took possession of a brand new recumbent race tricycle and this has offered him access to the sport he loves but thought he had lost forever. Ken is once again involved in cycling but thought it had been taken away from him when he was involved in the road traffic accident. Like his Disability Sport Fife colleague Kirsty Brunton, Ken is training at the new Fife Cycle Park in Lochgelly and loving every session. Ken is covering up to 17kms but recently cracked 22 miles.

Ken demonstrates a determination and resilience that is admired by others. Ken is passionate about physical activity and his adapted tricycle has offered him the freedom and challenge he craves. Adapted equipment, inclusive facilities and key support personnel are critical to individuals who have lost power and/or mobility. In Fife they are present in abundance and best wishes to Ken as he continues to pursue his sporting aspirations. The de Soyza family are committed to the GOGA in Fife slogan of Get Out Get Active.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife