Kirsty Brunton has been a real breath of fresh air since she joined Disability Sport Fife late in her career. Kirsty is considered a bit of an “action woman” in Fife because she specialises in activities like sailing, open water swimming and off road cycling. A few years ago Kirsty represented Scotland in swimming at the CPISRA World Games in England.

Mum Kirsty fully approves of the new Fife Cycle Park and was particularly complimentary about the level of support available on site. Kirsty rates the Cycle Park highly and is of course delighted that there is such a great facility in Fife for users of recumbent cycles and tricycles as well as bicycles.

Kirsty has committed over 20 years to Dalgety Bay Sailing Club as a member of the organising committee of the youth week. She retains her involvement in InCas and hopes one day to pass her UKCC Level 1 swim award and join the poolside team.

Kirsty has taken to curling and every second Friday heads through to the Peak in Stirling. Always on the move and a role model to many. Kirsty and daughter Sarah truly believe in the GOGA in Fife slogan “Get Out Get Active.”

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

After a break of two years, Kieran Steer from Crossgates made a return to competitive boccia at the Scottish Disability Sport Invitational event at Engage Sports Centre in Edinburgh this weekend.

Kieran has prepared well for his return to high performance boccia but he could not have expected such a positive outcome after over two years away from the sport.

Kieran initially played Paul Mclister and Jayne Milligan from Northern Ireland and had significant victories. His final match for the gold medal was against fellow countryman Ross Munro and he was over the moon with his 5-2 victory.

Kieran reported that it was wonderful to be back playing again but the victories were not as important as how well he delivered his shots and managed the challenges of competition after so much time away from the court.

Kieran is Disability Sport Fife’s first ever high performance boccia player. As a junior Kieran won gold at the World Junior Para-Sport Games in Brazil. In boccia pairs rankings Kieran reached as high as 3 in the BC4 class and 11th in the BC4 class individual rankings. Kieran was part of Team GB for World Championships in Beijing in 2014 and the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016.

After Rio, Kieran took time off from boccia to pursue other interests and concentrate on other aspects of his life. Kieran is now engaged to Cat Spencer who was a delegate at the UKCC Level 1 Boccia course at Lochgelly High School last weekend and is committed to boccia coaching.

Kieran is now driving and fully committed once again to the sport he loves. This is undoubtedly great news for Fife and Scotland. We all know what a talent he is and how much he has to offer the sport.

Kieran swims at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre and is supported by the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust through the Talented Athlete programme.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Part-Time Mobility Trainer – Until 31st March 2021 (initial 6 month probationary period)

The post is based in Glasgow though you will be required to deliver workshops across Scotland.

Go Kids Go are seeking to recruit a Mobility Trainer to deliver a programme of wheelchair skills training workshops throughout Scotland. Applicants should have a degree (BSc/BA) in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy or Sports Science. The role would require you to drive a transit van and you would need a full licence (and 3 years driving experience minimum if under 25).

Hours – flexible (to include weekend work) 30.3 per month.

Salary – £4719.40 (based on £23597 pro rata).

For more details please email roy@go-kids-go.org.uk

Closing date 9th November 2018.

An opportunity to contribute to the continued success of a unique Paralympic sport

The United Kingdom Boccia Federation (Boccia UK) is the National Governing Body for the Paralympic sport of Boccia in the UK. The organisation is responsible for the development and preparation of the UK’s most talented players, with a particular focus on supporting athletes to achieve their potential at the highest level of Paralympic sport. This principally involves running the World Class Programme, funded by UK Sport.  In addition the organisation facilitates home nation collaboration around the development of the UK wide performance pathway.

Building on our success at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and more recently at the BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships in Liverpool, we are currently looking to recruit two suitably qualified candidates to undertake the following key voluntary board positions to help steer the organisation to further success at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and beyond.

• Chair
• Independent Director

We are particularly interested in candidates with the following qualifications and experience:

• A professional accounting qualification with current or recent accountancy experience.

And/or

• Experience in promotion and fund raising.

As Boccia is a unique Paralympic Sport similar to Bowls and Pétanque which has been specifically designed to be inclusive of players with the highest levels of support needs, it makes a particularly valuable contribution to disability sports provision in the UK and across the globe.

If you are interested in playing a part in the continued success of Boccia UK and the further development of the sport of Boccia please download the full recruitment pack here: http://boccia.uk.com/news/2018/10/2/boccia-uk-seek-chair-and-independent-director

Please note the closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday 8^th November, 2018 with interviews taking place in London on Thursday 29^th November 2018.

The United Kingdom Boccia Federation is an equal opportunities employer and accredited to the Preliminary level of the Equality Standard for Sport. Applications are welcomed from all sectors of society and all appointments will be made on merit alone.

The recruitment pack is also available in alternative formats by contacting dawnbrown@positivedynamics.co.uk.

Boccia UK Recruitment Pack Final

Amputee Football Association Scotland are running some junior open training session in Glasgow.  Thet are taking place at Petershill Park FC, G21 4DD on Sunday 7th October, Sunday 18th November and Sunday 9th December.  Open to all amputees and those with congenital limb differences.

For more information please contact Ashley ashley@amputeefootballscotland.co.uk or 07885 262341.

Derek Rae from Kirkcaldy and Fife AC has turned in another personal best performance and on this occasion it was at the 2018 Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Half Marathon in Glasgow.

Finishing in 69.25, Derek took 41seconds off the time of 70.06 he set last year at the same event.

Derek competes in the T46 class and is coached by Ron Morrison at Fife AC. Derek is also supported by the Scottish Institute of Sport and British Athletics in his quest for further international honours.

Those who witnessed the great man in action in Glasgow have indicated it was a performance to remember. Brilliant Derek……

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Congratulations to Sam Fernando from Gateside and Fife AC who recently won the East Neuk 10K in challenging conditions. Sam sensibly ran with a group until the turn and then ran his own race to win by an impressive margin.

It has been a fine season for Sam as he heads to the Giffordtown 5K this weekend and thereafter turns his attention to cross country. Sam is coached by Ron Morrison at Fife AC and under Ron’s guidance Sam has made impressive strides forward these past two years culminating in his selection for Team Great Britain in the summer.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Our Business Services team make things happen.  There is no fuss – just action.

We’re looking for someone to join the team that takes great pride in delivering high quality and efficient service to the whole business.  From managing the fleet of vehicles at Scottish Rugby to supporting the facilities projects that keep the stadium running effectively.

You’ll need to have excellent IT and organisational skills to keep systems and processes up to date.  With an eye for detail and great communication skills, you’ll work well with colleagues and contractors to deliver a superb service.

For full information:
https://www.cloudonlinerecruitment.co.uk/SRU/VacancyDetails.aspx?VacancyID=239

 

The 39th Fife Inter Schools Gala for swimmers with additional support needs was held at Lochgelly HS on Thursday 27th September and produced the most exciting finish in the history of the event. The outcome depended on the final two relays. The host school produced an outstanding second place finish in the girls relay and a win in the boys relay to win the Russell Hogg trophy by one point. The victory prevented Woodmill HS swimmers making it four wins in successive years. This was only the third win for Lochgelly HS in 39 years.

The gala is organised by Disability Sport Fife (DSF) and supported by the staff and pupils of Lochgelly High School. DSF is indebted to Lochgelly HS ambassadors who acted as time keepers and Scottish Swimming officials Tom Foster, Jim Drummond and Colin Wilson who coordinated officiating duties. As always DSF had a strong team of volunteers operating on poolside. The gala ran exceptionally smoothly with 55 individual events and relays being held in under two hours. The headteacher of Lochgelly HS presented medals to race winners and also presented the Russell Hogg Trophy.

9 secondary schools participated, the highest number to date. Newcomers Auchmuty HS and Queen Anne HS joined Woodmill HS, Balwearie HS, Lochgelly HS, Madras College, Bell Baxter HS, Glenothes HS and Dunfermline HS for the 2018 gala. The Fife team for the Scottish Junior Championships to be held at Tollcross International Aquatics Centre will be selected from gala results.

Team points: Lochgelly HS 63; Woodmill HS 62; Balwearie HS 39; Madrras College 36; Queen Anne HS 21; Glenrothes HH 19; Auchmuty HS 12; Bell Baxter HS/Dunfermline HS 8. Callum Robertson from Balwearie HS was voted top boy and Cerys Venters Scott from Dunfermline HS top girl.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

92 pupils from across the West of Scotland took part in the West of Scotland Schools Boccia competition at the Emirates arena on Tuesday 25^th September 2018.

It was a great turnout with 10 local authorities out of the 13 being represented.  Schools travelled from as far afield as Stranraer and Cumnock and everyone enjoyed their day.

Results are below:

Physical Disability sections

Gold: Craig – Annan Academy
Silver: Cameron – Abercorn School
Bronze: Saad – St Mungo’s High School

Gold: Rhys – Park School
Silver: Callum – Marr College
Bronze:    Keeley – Park School

Gold: Declyn – Firpark Secondary
Silver: Kimberley – Kelbourne Primary
Bronze: Fraser – Mearns Castle

Learning Disability Sections

Gold: Aaron – Kirkriggs Primary
Silver:  Kenzie – Dalmilling Primary
Bronze: Eleanor – Hottsbridge Primary

Gold: John – Holybrook
Silver: Cameron – Stranraer
Bronze: Calum – Holybrook

There was some promising play on display, which was even more exciting as we had Claire Morrison from Boccia UK in attendance to talent spot.  Lots of the pupils enjoyed getting their picture taken with Claire and we were grateful to have her there.

Ayrshire College students were officiating on the day and did a great job.  They were very enthusiastic and professional and interacted with the pupils extremely well.  Scottish squad players Reegan Stevenson and Ross Munro were also helping on the day and offered advice to pupils.

Thanks also goes to the Celtic FC Foundation’s ‘Inspiring Sport’ project who funded the event, and to the Emirates Arena for hosting and their help on the day.