Woodmill HS swimmers made it three Russell Hogg Trophy wins in a row and five wins in six years at the 39th Fife Inter Schools Gala for pupils with Additional Support Needs organised by Disability Sport Fife at Lochgelly HS on Thursday 28th September.

Lochgelly HS swimmers finished in second place, 19 points behind the winners and one point ahead of third placed Madras College. Balwearie HS, Levenmouth Academy, Glenrothes HS, Bell Baxter HS and Queen Anne HS finished in 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.

Cerys Venter-Scott from Dunfermline HS and Mathew Blair from Woodmill HS were awarded individual trophies as top girl and top boy at the 2017 Gala. Cerys set a new Fife 100m Individual Medley time of 1.28.19 lowering the time set by Rebecca Lee from Balwearie HS back in 1995 by almost 10 seconds. Cerys then swam 39.16 for 50m backstroke lowering the record time set by Paralympian Tracy Wiscombe from Balwearie HS back in 1993 by almost 5 seconds. Cerys rounded off her outstanding day with a butterfly win and a new Fife Schools record time of 1.21.78 for 100m freestyle. Mathew was the leading Fife male swimmer for 50m backstroke, 25m butterfly and 50m Freestyle. Arran Howe from Bell Baxter HS won the 100m freestyle in a new Fife record time.

The relays were as always closely contested and very exciting. Balwearie HS girls won their relay for the first time since 2010, finishing ahead of Madras College/Bell Baxter HS and Lochgelly HS. Madras College halted a Woodmill HS run of four wins in a row with a spectacular win in the boys relay. This was their first win in the 39 year history of the Gala. Woodmill HS and Levenmouth Academy finished second and third respectively. Eight teams were entered for the boys relay, the highest number to date.

Disability Sport Fife will now select the Fife team from the results recorded at the Inter Schools Gala to compete at the Scottish Junior Swimming Championships organised by Scottish Disability Sport at Tollcross International Aquatics Centre on Wednesday 22nd November.

 

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Tayside athlete, Freya Howgate finished her most successful season in athletics with victory at the 2017 Cerebral Palsy Sport National Athletics Championships in Nottingham. The Perth Strathtay Harriers athlete has soared from personal best to personal best this season, culminating in 4 gold medals at the CP Sport event. Freya was awarded gold medals in the T37 100m, shot put, discus and javelin events. Alongside this, Freya was awarded Under 20 Athletic Series 2017 Winner for Female Field. The Kilgraston School pupil is a shining example of hard work and dedication to her sport and is a role model for many younger athletes starting their athletics journey.

Jim Hunter, President and Coach at Perth Strathtay Harriers was very proud of Freya’s performance across the competition and season:

“Freya was a youngster when she joined the club and this has been her most successful season in both track and field. Adjusting her training plans has paid dividends. Freya has chipped away at her personal bests across the season and is consistently developing. Freya is a very dedicated athlete, training multiple times a week and balancing this alongside her studies. She is a great ambassador for Perth Strathtay Harriers.”

Photo courtesy of Morris Fox

Have you been inspired by performances at the recent World Para Athletics Championships? Are you interested in trying a new sport?

Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group (SBDSG) are working with a host of key partners including Live Borders, Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics to deliver a Para Athletics ‘taster session’ for all individuals with a physical, learning or sensory impairment.

This session will provide the opportunity for all individuals interested in athletics the chance to experience all elements of the sport – running, jumping, throwing and wheelchair racing. The session will be supported by coaches who are experienced in the sport and will provide a relaxed and friendly environment for attendees to learn and develop new skills.

Details of the session can be found below –
Date: Saturday 28th October
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Tweedbank Sports Complex, Tweedbank, Galashiels, TD1 3RS

To register for this opportunity, please contact Alan Oliver (Sports Development Officer, Live Borders) on 01750 700 110 / 0788 747 1137 or aoliver@liveborders.org.uk. To download the flyer for the event, please click here.

Coaching Opportunity – Inclusive Athletics Workshop

In addition to the Development Day, there will also be an opportunity for all interested coaches and volunteers to attend a 3 hour Inclusive Athletics Workshop from 10am – 1pm at Tweedbank Sports Complex. A flyer can be downloaded here.

This workshop will enable participants to have a better understanding in the following areas of Para Athletics –

• Focusing on ability rather than disability
• Supporting the inclusion of people with a disability into athletics
• Effective communication
• Influence and deliver good practice
• Increase knowledge in specific areas of Para Athletics, including wheelchair racing
• National & International Classification
• Competition pathways within disability sport

It is encouraged that participants should have an interest in working with athletes with a disability and all attendees will be invited to attend the Development Day in the afternoon, providing an opportunity to put these skills into practice. There will be no charge associated to this course.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Shona Malcolm (Disability Athletics Development Officer, Scottish Athletics) on 0131 539 7348 or shonamalcolm@scottishathletics.org.uk.

We are delighted to announce details for the upcoming Central Parasport Festival 2017

Date:   Wednesday 25th October 2017

Time:  10.00am – 2.45pm (9:30am arrival and registration)

Venue: The Peak, Stirling FK8 1QZ

This festival is targeting pupils within a mainstream school setting in the Central area, with a physical, visual or hearing disability aged between P1 – S6. The key impact of the event is to provide a multisport opportunity to these pupils, identify talented individuals within specific sports, alongside channelling pupils onto local, regional clubs/ programmes. We would like to welcome back all pupils who have attended in the past, alongside engaging new pupils to attend for their first experience. We will also have performance athletes attend on the day for an inspiring Q and A session.  Please see promotional video from last years East Parasport festival by clicking on the link   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzP4sztaDY.

Booking information

Please read and complete the Central Parasport Festival 2017 Letter and Consent form, with a closing date of Wednesday 4th October (please return forms directly to Cheryl Willet – Central SDS RDM).

Please click here for the online Consent Form

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:

Cheryl Willet SDS Central RDM on cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577830360

Sunday 24th September saw 17 enthusiastic individuals attend the launch of the Central GOGA for All swimming sessions at Stirling University pool.

Strong partnerships between Get Out Get Active, Forth Valley Disability Sport, Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Swimming, as well as support from our superb coaches and volunteers, enabled a structured and enjoyable session for all who attended.

The Central GOGA for All swimming sessions are available to all individuals within the Forth Valley area and run on a monthly basis – details below.

Event: Central GOGA for All Swimming Opportunity

Venue: Stirling University Pool

Dates: Sunday 15th October, 26th November 2017, 18th February, 18th March, 15th April, 20th May 2018

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

Aim of Event: To give opportunity for individuals with physical, learning and sensory disability to take part in free swimming session

 

To find out more about these sessions and to book a place please contact Eva Finlayson (GOGA Lead Officer) on  goga@fvds.org.uk or 07761 031 982 or for information on disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact Cheryl Willet on  cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com  or 07577 830 360.

New fun boccia sessions are beginning for all individuals with physical and learning disabilities. If you are looking to get more active and meet new friends, these sessions could be for you!

• All ages and abilities welcome
• No previous experience required
• Equipment will be provided

The sessions will take place at St Maurice’s High School, North Road, Cumbernauld G68 9AG from 5.00pm on Thursday 26th October.

For more information contact 01236 757657 ext 5256 or email mackayk@northlan.gov.uk / joergensenn@northlan.gov.uk.

Pan Disability Boccia Sessions Flyer

In partnership with the West of Scotland Schools Association, SDS ran the Schools Boccia Championships on Tuesday 19^th September at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Sixty-one pupils from across seven Local Authorities competed, with some excellent play from all participants. We hope the pupils enjoyed the day and well done to everyone involved.

Medal winners are:

Physical Disability – A1
Gold: Taylor McTaggart, St Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow
Silver: Adil Akbar, Ashton School, Glasgow
Bronze: Katelyn Stephen, St Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow

Physical Disability – A2
Gold: Saad Shakeel, St Mungo’s Academy, Glasgow
Silver: Jason Walters, Paisley Grammar, Renfrewshire
Bronze: Nathan Keenan, Kelbourne Park, Glasgow

Physical Disability – Ramp players
Gold: Fraser Somerville, Mearns Castle, East Renfrewshire
Silver: Amandeep Kambo, Ashton School, Glasgow
Bronze: Kevin Murphy, Park School, East Ayrshire

Learning Disability
Gold: Hayden Keir, Annan Academy, Dumfries & Galloway
Silver: Fiona Faichnie, Ashton School, Glasgow
Bronze: Calum Thomson, Hollybrook, Glasgow

SDS’s Coaching Futures Apprentice Boccia Coach Lewis McConnell and Scottish Squad players Reegan Stevenson and Ross Munro were on hand to offer advice to the students from Ayrshire College who were officiating on the day.  Thanks to all of them who did a great job.

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.

Additionally, through the Big Lottery there will be weekly boccia sessions taking place in North Lanarkshire and Glasgow starting October so please get in touch for more information if interested.

Last week the West & Central Region for Riding for the Disabled (RDA) had great pleasure in welcoming Sam Orde, Chairman of RDA National, to the Region.  Sam met and rode with the Strathearn/Rideaway Group. Sam said “The Big Ride part was lovely and I think that Crieff Hydro Stables looked after us very well with excellent horses and route, coaches and refreshments. It was great to have the chance to see Rideaway in action with their usual morning sessions and get a chance to talk to volunteers and riders”.

In the afternoon Sam Orde  visited the Auchterarder group who ride at Gleneagles Equestain Centre.

Sam commented that “The second part of the day at Gleneagles was lovely and very interesting for me as Chairman and I enjoyed talking to everyone. What brilliant facilities the Auchterarder Group have! It was a touching moment at the end to see Daisy, one of their riders, present the long service award to Paddy,their pony.

Also this week Argyll Driving Group held the Group Picnic and combined it with the Big Drive. Patsy’s drivers from Forth Driving Group joined us and our Raffle for Lowlands brought in £100 to which the Trustees are adding a donation.

Breadalbane & District Group held their own Big Ride for 7 riders earlier in the week to join the fundraising efforts.

Carrick Group are also donating funds from an art exhibition later in the year.

Sam  Orde has planned the ’The Big Ride’ to support the fund raising campaign for the new RDA National Training Centre near Birmingham, which will benefit all groups within the UK, with training opportunities.  Sam’s money raising target is £20,000 from across the regions. There is  good news on the fundraising with money from Big Rides continuing to come in and taking us over the £10,000 mark, then Westmorland RDA Group kindly donating £20,000! All fantastic news for our National Training Centre.

Sponsor Sam at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/samorde

Ayrshire Sportsability held their annual competitive swimming festival on 12th September at KA Leisure’s lovely new facility at The Portal, Irvine.

Children from schools all over Ayrshire came along to compete and medals were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Special thanks to Ayrshire College students for volunteering, Gillian Mitchell for being our starter on the day, Anne Johnstone from Kilmarnock Jets and Lauren Campbell, ASA volunteer.

As part of Scottish Swimming and Scottish Disability Sport’s commitment to providing more opportunities for people with disabilities to get involved in swimming, Aberdeenshire Council ran an Inclusive Swimming Teaching workshop at Inverurie Swimming Centre.

Sixteen swimming teachers took part in the insightful workshop, which aimed to provide them with a better understanding of their swimmers’ impairments and needs.

The workshop was predominantly interactive, and included elements such as: etiquette guidelines to help teachers interact positively with swimmers; communication tips for teaching people with sensory impairments, communication difficulties, and learning disabilities; guidance on adapting activities using SDS’s Sports Inclusion Model and STEP framework; and best practice guidelines on supporting, assisting and assessing swimmers in the water. There was also a practical opportunity in the pool for candidates to work alongside swimmers with various physical, sensory and learning disabilities from the local area in order to put their newly-acquired skills into practice.

It is hoped that the workshop will strengthen the Learn to Swim programme within Aberdeenshire, with 10 pools across the region now having suitably qualified teachers. It is expected that those teachers who are already working with swimmers with disabilities will have improved confidence and better knowledge and awareness of how to modify and adapt their practice to suit the individuals.

For those who aren’t already teaching swimmers with a disability, it will hopefully give them the skills to start getting involved, meaning more instructors will be willing, able and trained to teach children who require 1:1 lessons or modify their group lesson to accommodate everyone.

Thanks go to Moira Harkins from Aberdeenshire Council for organising the workshop, and to all the volunteers swimmers who enabled the teachers to practice.

If you would like to find out more about disability swimming or sport in the Grampian area, please contact Alison Shaw, SDS Regional Manager, on alison.shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07828 744 848.