Athlete Profile: Scott Meenagh

Date of birth: 16th September 1989

Home town: Cumbernauld

Occupation: Athlete

Sport: Para-Nordic Skiing (cross country and biathlon)

Classification: LW12 Sit Skier

Club: GB Para Nordic

Coach: Simon Allanson

Background
Scott served with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment in Helmand province of Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and lost both his legs. Inspired by sport and with the  support from the staff at DMRC Headley Court and the Help for Heroes Sports Recovery programme, he learned to walk again on prosthetic legs and has subsequently participated in a host of awe inspiring challenges which led to him winning the ‘Overcoming Adversity Award’ at the 2012 Sun Military Awards.

How and when did you become involved with your sport?
Having trained full-time with the GB Paralympic Rowing team, he narrowly missed out on selection to the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. He has now turned his attention to Nordic Skiing and competed in his first winter event towards the close of 2016.

Sporting Highlights

• Invictus Games (Athletics) – Silver: IT2 1500m, Silver: IT2 400m – 2017
• Invictus Games Champion, IR6 4min Rowing; Gavirate International Regatta, Double Silver Medallist, TA Single Scull – 2016
• British Indoor Racing Championships, Silver Medallist; Gavirate International Regatta Champion, TA Single Scull – 2015
• Double Silver Medallist at the Invictus Games as Captain of the British Armed Forces Rowing Team, IR6 1min & 4min – 2014

Interests
Scott has hand cycled 350 miles across battlefields in France, won medals at the Warrior Games, climbed Ben Nevis and took part in the first ever double amputee bungee jump in Scotland.

Sporting Goals
To qualify for the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games before returning to rowing for the Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020.

@SMeenagh

Athlete Profile: Gregor Ewan

Date of birth: 28th June 1971

Home town: Dundee, resides Elgin

Occupation: Athlete

Sport: Wheelchair Curling

Club: Moray Wheelchair Curling Club

Coach: Sheila Swan

How and when did you become involved with your sport?
By my old friend Norman Anderson. He kept saying come and try curling. I went to Moray Leisure Centre to try it to keep him happy and was hooked!

Sporting Highlights

• World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 Bronze
• Scottish Wheelchair Curling Champions – 2016, 2015, 2012
• Scottish Wheelchair Curling Championship – Runners Up 2014
• 9ème Tournoi international en fauteuil roulant de Lausanne – Champions 2015
• Danish International Wheelchair Curling Cup– Champions 2011, 2015 3rd
• Canadian Wheelchair Curling Open – Runner Up 2014
• US Wheelchair Curling Open – Runners Up 2014, Champions 2013, 2012 Bronze
• Paralympic Games – 2014 Bronze
• Cathy Kerr International Bonspiel – Runner Up 2012
• World Wheelchair Curling Championships – 2011 Silver

Interests
Still do half-marathons in my handcycle, curling, curling and curling!

Role model
Muhammad Ali

Sporting Goals
To win a World Gold and to win the Scottish Championships three in a row.

Pre game rituals
Listen to music ‘Bat out of Hell’.

Athlete Profile: Brett Wild

Date of birth: 24th December 1992

Home town: Glasgow

Occupation: Guide (to Millie Knight)

Sport: Alpine Skiing

Classification: VIB2

Club: Glasgow Ski Racing

Coach: Amanda Pirie

How and when did you become involved with your sport?
I have been skiing since I was three years old and began racing at age seven. I ski raced for the Scottish junior development squad between the ages 15-17 and raced for the Navy and Combined Services teams. I started guiding Millie Knight in March 2016 and will be guiding her right through to the 2018 Paralympics in PyeongChang.

Sporting Highlights
2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, gold in the downhill and silver in the Super Combined, Slalom and Giant Slalom.

Favourite place to ski
Aspen, Colorado. The place was amazing and the skiing was fantastic!

Sporting Goals
Main ambition was to get selected for the Paralympics in 2018.

@BrettWild

Athlete Profile: Angela Malone MBE

Date of birth: 27th May 1965

Home town: Glasgow

Occupation: Athlete

Sport: Wheelchair Curling

Club: Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club

Coach: Sheila Swan

How and when did you become involved with your sport?

By a friend at the age of 37 years old at Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club.

Sporting Highlights

• World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 – Bronze
• SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Championships 2016 – Champions
• Paralympic Games 2014 – Bronze
• World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2011 – Silver
• SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Championships 2008 – Champions
• Scottish Wheelchair Curling Championships 2008 – Champions
• World Wheelchair Curling Championships 20017 – Bronze
• Paralympic Games 2006 – Silver
• SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Championships 2005 – Champions
• World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2004  – Gold

Interests
Water skied for 10 years for fun on our Scottish lochs, kayaking, handcycling, musical theatre.

Role model
Daley Thompson was an all round amazing athlete, Rhona Martin/Howie inspired me in 2002 (being a mum the same as myself) winning Gold in Salt Lake City.

Sporting Goals
To be selected for my fourth Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018.

@AngelaMalone17

Athlete Profile: Aileen Neilson

Date of birth: 15th August 1971

Home town: East Kilbride, resides Strathaven

Occupation: Athlete

Sport: Wheelchair Curling

Club: Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club, Avondale Heather Curling Club

Coach: Sheila Swan

How and when did you become involved with your sport?
All my family curl and I first tried it aged 15. Started wheelchair curling in 2005.

Sporting Highlights

• World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 Bronze
• SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Open – Champions  2016, Champions 2009, Champions 2007
• Paralympic Games – 2014 Bronze
• Scottish Wheelchair Curling Champions – 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007
• SWCA Shot Maker – Champion 2012/13, Champion 2010/11
• SWCA National Wheelchair Curling Pairs – Champions 2008
• World Wheelchair Curling Championship – 2011 Silver, 2007 Bronze
• British Champions 2006/07
• WWhCC Sportsmanship Award – 2011

Interests
Competed at the World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities 2005, reading, arts and crafts

Role model
Ellen McArthur

Sporting Goals
Gold medal at Worlds and Paralympics.

One piece of advice for an aspiring athlete?
Follow the processes and the result will follow.

@AileenNeilson

Thursday 22^nd March saw the last cross country in the West Series take place at Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton.  It was perfect weather for the athletes to take part in their first event at the new venue to be introduced for future years.

A total of 203 athletes took part over six races with some great performances on the day and some very close finishes.   Well done to everyone who took part today and also to those who received their series medal for competing in all three cross countries.

Medals were awarded to the first 3 boys and girls over the line and the results are below.

Thanks to South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture for hosting/setting up the event and WOSA for organising.

The SDS National Cross Country takes place at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on Tuesday 20^th March.

Monday 26^th February saw the successful launch of the Falkirk Boccia Engage sessions, in partnership with Falkirk Community Trust. These boccia sessions are open to all individuals with a physical, sensory or learning disability, as part of the National Engagement of Boccia programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Details of these weekly sessions

Where: Grangemouth Sports Complex, FK3 9JB

When: Monday 6.00-6.45pm

Who: All ages and abilities welcome, no previous experience required, equipment provided

Cost: Free

To book or for more information please contact Lisa Male on 01324 590 931 or email lisa.male@falkirkcommunitytrust.org.

To find out more about disability sport within Central Scotland, please contact Cheryl Willet, Scottish Disability Sport Regional Manager, at cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com / 07577 830 360.

Six schools competed in the S1/S2 section of the second round of the Disability Sport Fife 7s League and four schools contested the S3-S6 section. These were the highest numbers in eight years organising the event. Special welcomes were extended to first timers Queen Anne HS and Levenmouth Academy.

DSF is indebted to David McArdle from the Scottish FA for continued support of football development in Fife and for his interest and encouragement. DSF is also indebted to Derek Lowe, Area coordinator for the Fife Referees Association for many years of support. Andrew McGachan and Paul Stringer were the referees for the February event. The provision of the excellent Kirkcaldy High School football facilities has been instrumental to the League’s success. Special thanks to Rector, Derek Allan and Principal Teacher of PE, Malcolm Stewart.

Defending champions Lochgelly HS won all their four games in the S1/S2 tournament to top the table with 12 points. Newcomers Queen Anne HS made an impact in their first event with two wins and a one draw to score 9 points. Balwearie HS juniors finished with two wins and two losses to occupy third spot after round two of the junior tournament. Ryan Baird from Lochgelly HS was leading goal scorer with 11 goals.

The S3 – S6 tournament was as always a very close affair. Balwearie HS have won the section for the past five years but they were pushed all the way by surprise package Madras/Bell Baxter who went through the section with three wins from three to top the table. The 3- 1 win over Balwearie HS was the key result. The combined schools team from north east Fife ended the day with 9 points, two ahead of the reigning champions. Lochgelly HS and Woodmill HS share third position. Alex Evans from Balwearie HS and Shakeel Ul Haq from Lochgelly HS were leading goal scorers with four.

The 7s league has come a long way in seven years. Each year a significant number of girls take part in and this year was no exception. Players now turn their attention to the Fife Indoor 5s competition on Thursday 8 March at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre as part of the annual Fife Sports Festival supported by Fife Council and Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.

DSF is involved for the third year with the Fife Football Performance Academy. This came about because of Davie Honeyman and Lee Bailey, Scottish FA Football Development Officers with Active Fife. They have always taken a keen interest in the DSF football programme. The Fife Football Performance Academy is inclusive and will help identify players with performance potential who may go forward for consideration for selection for the Scottish FA under 20 national squad.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife