Disability Sport Fife has selected two strong junior teams to represent Fife in the SDS Junior Sportshall Festival at Grangemouth Sports Complex, Abbots Road, Grangemouth FK3 9JD on Thursday 8 March 2018 – 10.30 hrs – 14.30 hrs.

The Festival is organised by Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics. The Fife teams are selected from performances recorded by athletes in Fife athletics/cross country events and weekly performances at run, jump and throws sessions organised by Disability Sport Fife. Each team of ten comprises of five athletes with a learning disability and five athletes who have a physical or sensory impairment. Training sessions are held after school at Pitreavie Athletics Centre, Dunfermline and Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre, Glenrothes Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday 16.30 – 17.30 hrs.

Pamela Robson (Balwearie HS) and Fiona Stewart (Bell Baxter HS) will once again be in charge of Team Fife with support from additional school staff, DSF coaches and volunteers. Teams selected are as follows:

Cameron Adam (Dunfermline HS)
Callum Sloan (Queen Anne HS)
Logan Harley (Rimbleton Pr.)
Cameron Herring (Touch Pr)
Abbie Steggles (Dunfermline HS)
Matthew Blair (Woodmill HS)
Alex Evans (Balwearie HS)
Aaron Howe (Bell Baxter HS)
Rosalind Penman (Balwearie HS)
Sophie Coughlin (Bell Baxter HS)
Finlay Davidson (Inverkeithing HS)
Owen Carmichael (Commercial Pr)
Connor Brown (Woodmill HS)
Brodie Hart (Kelty Pr.)
Callum Robertson (Balwearie HS)
Shakeel Ul Haq (Lochgelly HS)
Louise Harley (Lochgelly HS)
Ryan Dowie (Woodmill HS)
Edwin Barron (Woodmill HS)
Ryan Baird (Lochgelly HS)
RESERVE Larsson McKeown (Bal HS)

Photo: Sportshall Teams 2017

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

The West Regional Swimming Championships, organised by the West Federation of Swimming Clubs, took place at Scotstoun Leisure Centre on Saturday 10^th February.

The event saw an entry of 169 swimmers, competing in 65 events, which meant a busy day for everyone involved but with experienced staff, officials and volunteers on poolside, the Championships ran smoothly and finished ahead of time.

A total of 14 teams competed in the championships, representing 10 Local Authorities in the West of Scotland.  The teams were; Annandale & Eskdale, Clyde Valley Beavers, Dunbartonshire Disability SC, Kilmarnock ASC, Kilmarnock Jets, Larkhall ASC, City of Glasgow Seals, Temple SC, Paisley Pirhanas, Cunnighame Action Club, Greenock Otters, Port Glasgow Otters, Monklands DSC and South Ayrshire Swim Team.

There were some fantastic swims and personal bests from lots of swimmers – everyone should be very proud of their performances.

The Federation were delighted to welcome their guest of honour, Gordon McCormack OBE, who had the role of presenting medals which he thoroughly enjoyed.

The event was a massive success and from this, the West of Scotland Teams will be selected for the SDS National Senior Swimming Championships in April for swimmers with a physical disability and/or sensory impairment and May for swimmers with a learning disability.

Thanks to staff at Scotstoun, all swimming officials, support staff and volunteers, swimmers and coaches for ensuring the smooth running of the event.

Forth Valley Get Out Get Active project supports people of all ages to become active,  meet new people and encourages disabled and non-disabled individuals to be active together. All abilities welcome, no experience or fitness required!

For more information download the timetable here or contact GOGA Lead Officer Eva Finlayson on 01786 466 486 / goga@fvds.org.uk.

Salary Scale: £25,000 to £30,000 (pro rata) depending on experience

Grampian Disability Sport (GDS) is a voluntary sport group with the aim of leading the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with the key local agencies and local authorities for Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen and Moray.   GDS is a SCIO organisation registered with OSCR and a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

The committee of GDS now wishes to appoint a Project Development Manager, GOGA to drive forward the Spirit of 2012 funded Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme across Grampian.

Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is an exciting new programme that supports inactive disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. This could be through local authority or independent provision, sports clubs or volunteering. The programme aims to motivate people by tapping into their values and the things that matter most to them. This includes building friendships, maintaining health, having fun and developing life skills. GOGA will concentrate on social, fun and inclusive activities delivered over the remaining two years of the programme.

A copy of the job description can be found here.

• To find out about the role, please phone Ailien Pallot, GOGA Co-ordinator, Scotland
• Tel: 0131 317 1130 Mob: 07906 070 286

 To apply, simply send your CV and a cover letter to;

• Ailien Pallot, GOGA Co-ordinator, Scotland
• E-mail: ailien@scottishdisabilitysport.com
• Post: Scottish Disability Sport, Caledonia House, South Gyle, Edinburgh EH12 9DQ

Closing date 12 noon Friday 23^rd February 2018

Interviews: Friday 2^nd March 2018 in Aberdeen

Are you a carriage driver?

Gareloch RDA are looking for help with their new Carriage Driving Project

The project is starting now – we have a carriage and pony at the ready but would love to have some experienced carriage drivers to help us get started. We have a group of willing volunteers but need the expertise plus general volunteers are welcome too!

Come and see Bobbie using his new training carriage! Gareloch RDA are in Cardross, outside Helensburgh.

If you are interested in getting involved please call Gillie: 077481 83239 for more information.

Advantage, Edinburgh’s Disability Tennis Programme, is working with a range of partners to deliver a range of tennis opportunities for individuals with a range of disabilities. Please see details of these exciting and inclusive sessions below – they are a great way to become involved with a new sporting activity.

Sunday 18th February (12 noon to 2.30pm) – TF Learning Disability Regional Tournament – Craiglockhart
This event is a red and orange ball tournament run by the Tennis Foundation for children who have additional support needs.

Wednesday 28th February (9.30am to 12 noon) – Edinburgh University Disability Open Day – The Meadows
This event is a series of taster sessions for students of the university who have additional support needs to try out tennis and hopefully begin playing regularly.

Saturday 28th April (2pm to 3.30pm) – Whizzkidz – Craiglockhart
This event is a wheelchair tennis taster session for a charity that helps junior wheelchair users get accustomed to using a chair and find activities to help them improve their quality of life.
More information can be found on the organisation here – http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities then please contact Advantage Coordinator, Michael Millar on MichaelMillar@edinburghleisure.co.uk. The events are also keen to welcome anyone interested in volunteering – if this is something you are keen to support then please contact Michael on the email address above.

To find out more about Advantage and the regular opportunities on offer then visit http://www.edinburghdisabilitytennis.co.uk/.

In conjunction with the Central Boccia Engage sessions (via the Big Lottery funding), and the launch of the recent Boccia schools programme, we are happy to announce the upcoming Central Boccia Leaders workshop. Please see details below:

Date: Thursday 15th March 2018

Time: 4:30pm – 7:30pm

Venue: Larbert High School

All coaches, volunteers, teachers and staff wishing to attend from the Central region will gain a place on this course free of charge. Please contact admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 317 1130 for more information or to secure your place.

 

 

Children from schools across Aberdeen City & Shire with disabilities served up some serious skills during Grampian’s ASN Table Tennis & Tennis Festivals this week.

29 primary & secondary pupils from 3 schools attended the event which was held at The Westburn Lounge & Tennis Centre and forms part of Grampian’s wider Active School’s events programme for children with disabilities.

The Festival was ran by some of Grampian’s best Tennis & Table Tennis coaches and introduced children to the rules & aims of the sports, providing fun and energetic games to challenge and develop their skills before testing these out in friendly matches against their peers.

Mrs Smith, a teacher from one of the attending schools, noted the enjoyment that her pupils experienced from taking part in such events amongst players with similar abilities and disabilities, and the importance sport has on their wellbeing.

Thanks go to the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Active Schools Teams, Aberdeen & District Table Tennis Association, and Sport Aberdeen’s tennis coaches for running such a successful event.

If any people living with a physical, sensory or learning disability are keen to get involved in Para Sport, please contact Alison Shaw on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or on 07828 744 848.

When: Monday – 5.00-6.00pm

Where: Carluke Leisure Centre, Carnwath Road, Carluke ML8 4EA

Age: 5-18 years

Come along and try out new wheelchair basketball sessions. These sessions are suitable for people with a physical disability who are keen to play basketball. Why not bring your friends along too to join in the fun?

Some sports wheelchair will be available.

For full information see the flyer here.

Concession_form

Many thanks to Callum Imray, Active School Coordinator, Queen Anne High Cluster, for drawing my attention to an excellent good news story from Queen Anne HS.

Disability Sport Fife wheelchair racer Callum Sloan from Dunfermline has been inducted into the Queen Anne HS Hall of Fame. Callum has competed in three London mini marathons and is the inspiration behind the new development in wheelchair racing in Fife. Callum is a member of the Scottish Disability Sport Young Person’s Sports Panel and is currently on an SDS coach apprenticeship programme supported by DSF personnel.

Callum has proudly taken his place on the wall beside other high achieving pupils and is considered an outstanding role model for his peers. Well done Callum Sloan and thank you Callum Imray for sharing this news.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife