The Scottish Para Bowls Squad landed in Gold Coast Australia four days ahead of the 8 Nations and Para Sport Event, which is due to start on Sunday 4 June at Broadbeach Bowls Club.  The event has a bearing on Commonwealth Games qualification.

Our early arrival time has allowed for four solid days of practice on the lightning quick surfaces, in which the players must adapt to have any chance of success.  These sessions have enabled coaches to assess the players prior to making team selections ahead of the competition starting.  Scotland are in the fortunate position to have two teams competing in the event, meaning that more of our bowlers are able to experience competitive matches in these conditions, against the top physically disabled and visually impaired bowlers in the world.

On the final day of training a warm up match was arranged with hosts, Australia, to enable all players to have a competitive match ahead of the event itself.  This proved invaluable in our preparations.  Australia will go into the event as heavy favourites.

Team selections

Open Triple Team 1		Open Triple Team 2
Barbara McMillan (B7)		Billy Allan (B6)
Garry Brown (B7)		John Wardrope (B7)
Mike Nicoll (B6)		Michael Simpson (B7)
Mixed Pair Team 1		Mixed Pair Team 2
Irene Edgar (B2)		Maria Spencer (B3)
Director: David Thomas		Director: Ron McArthur
Robert Barr (B3)		Billy Edgar (B3)
Director: Sarah Jane Ewing		Director: Chris Morrow

Event Schedule

Scotland’s fixture schedule includes matches against Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Wales and England, with the top two places playing in the final, whilst third and fourth will play off for bronze.

Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7
AUS V AUS 2	AUS v NZ	AUS v WAL	AUS v SCO	AUS v ENG	AUS v SCO 2	AUS v MAL
MAL v SCO	MAL v ENG	MAL v SCO 2	MAL v WAL	MAL v NZ	MAL v AUS 2	NZ v ENG
NZ v WAL	KOR v WAL	NZ v AUS 2	NZ v SCO 2	AUS 2 v SCO 2	NZ v SCO	AUS 2 v SCO
ENG v SCO2	SCO v SCO 2	ENG v SCO	ENG v AUS 2	SCO v WAL	ENG v WAL	WAL v SCO 2

Congratulations to the amazing Susanne McGrath who completed the Edinburgh marathon today in 3.46, a personal best by 9 minutes. Susanne’s coach Pamela Robson sent back the attached photos of an extremely proud and committed athlete who has now completed her second Edinburgh Marathon.

The only disappointment is that the new Bromakin racing wheelchair she has on order has not yet arrived. At no time has this fazed Susanne who yet again completed the marathon challenge in a borrowed DSF wheelchair supported by running repairs. What a class athlete and determined young mum.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Well done to Jonny Brown who completed his first ever road race at the Edinburgh 10K in a time of 1.11. This course is really tough for wheelchair users but Jonny stuck to his race plan and completed the distance with coach Pamela Robson running with him. Since securing a new race chair with support from Scottish Disability Sport, Jonny has committed to an indoor and outdoor training programme that his paid dividends. This could be the first of many road races to come. Well done Jonny.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

The Annual General Meeting of Glasgow Disability Sport took place on Wednesday 17^th May at the sportscotland Offices in Glasgow.

Gordon McCormack OBE, Chairperson, welcomed members of clubs and other interested parties who work with the branch to develop opportunities across the city.

Glasgow has been in a state of transition over the last couple of years and the AGM agenda aimed to look at the next steps in strengthening the Branch structure, increasing memberships and identifying new committee members.

Applications for new committee members were sought in the lead up to the AGM and during the course of the meeting, three new members were co-opted onto the committee.

The branch is hopeful of taking on a co-ordinator in the near future to establish more contact with clubs, and to organise additional events which will link to the Scottish Disability Sport National Events calendar.

The positivity of the membership at the AGM and the ambition to move the disability sport agenda in Glasgow forward was hugely evident and we look forward to the year ahead for Glasgow Disability Sport.

The Get Out Get Active (GOGA in Fife) programme plans to encourage and support inactive individuals and groups to engage and remain “active for life”. It focuses on increasing the number of people who are active, through effective engagement and signposting to local quality physical activity options.

Supported by Spirit of 2012, GOGA in Fife will inspire children, young people and adults with a physical, sensory or learning disability, plus significant others, to access and enjoy active recreation, including sport. GOGA in Fife is inclusive in ethos and practice and involves key Disability Sport Fife partners Fife Council, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, Scottish Disability Sport, the local voluntary sector and three national partners concerned with walking, cycling and swimming.

With support from GOGA, Disability Sport Fife (DSF) has teamed up with the Scottish FA Football Development Officers from Active Fife and the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust to introduce a walking football programme for participants with additional support needs. The programme has offered DSF its first opportunity to locate a session within the Beacon Leisure Centre in Burntisland on Thursday mornings between 11 00 and 12 00. The plan however is to roll out a programme across Fife throughout the year.

Scottish FA Coach Dave Costello leads the session in his unique charismatic style. Participants from West Fife CSS, Central Fife CSS and Balwearie HS Department for Pupils with Additional Support Needs are attending regularly. Within a few weeks 20 participants have registered. Specifically targeted are players with severe and complex needs and those who are no longer able to play the running version of the game that they know and love. The promotion of walking is a key driver of GOGA in Fife and walking football is proving to be a very popular walking activity.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Well done to the small squad of Fife swimmers who headed north to represent Team Fife at the 2017 SDS Senior Championships for Swimmers with a learning disability and many thanks to the families and East and Central Fife Community Support Services who ensured that Fife was represented.

18 swimmers competed, which was only one third of the original Disability Sport Fife (DSF) selection. The closure of Tollcross Leisure Centre in Glasgow for repairs necessitated a move to the Inverness Sports Centre and an increased amount of travel time and a much longer day. Within the Fife team there are a significant number of swimmers with complex needs and the decision was taken that the challenge of the longer day would not have been in the interest of a number of Fife swimmers.

Julie Allan, Michelle Wallace, Ryan Peterson, Tanis Murphy, Paul Coultard, Carrie Anne Smith and Connor Greer won national titles. The Fife Team was led by Carolyn Clunie from East Fife CSS with support from parents, Nicky Blyth (Central Fife CSS) and Ann Malcolm (East Fife CSS). Team Fife ended up fourth in the Inter Area competition with 123 points, behind winners West of Scotland, Tayside and Highland. The performances of the Fife swimmers overall were outstanding.

In addition to the swimmers who won national titles, the 11 other swimmers who represented Fife were Matthew Blissett, Allan Robertson, Shaun Rowcliffe, Mark Walker, Michael Wilkie, Andrew Hunter, Carter Taylor, Gavin Smith, Susan Barrett, Angela Robertson, and Wendy Robertson.

A full set of results will appear on the DSF website shortly www.fifeleisure.org.uk

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Stefan Hoggan has for many years been a most committed Disability Sport Fife (DSF) member and a superb ambassador for disability sport locally and nationally. Stefan recently decided to stand down from high performance Para sport but retain his involvement in sport as a coach and a member of the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) Young Persons Panel.

Stefan’s first swimming teacher at the Fife Sports Institute described him as the fastest learner he ever had the pleasure of working with. Within a couple of weeks of being introduced to the learn to swim programme in the Institute small pool he was swimming on his back and front without support and within a matter of months ready for his first gala.

DSF galas prepared him for SDS national junior championships and a place in the Scottish junior squad for the British Championships soon followed. Stefan enjoyed an illustrious career as a junior and senior Para swimmer and as a member of Carnegie Swimming Club. The dream of Paralympic and Commonwealth Games selection eluded him but it was not through lack of effort and a major commitment by himself and his family.

Stefan then turned his attention to Para triathlon and fully committed to training north and south of the Border and the three disciplines of this very arduous sport. With support from British Triathlon and Triathlon Scotland, Stefan ran in GB colours in a few major international meets and made steady progress during his short time in the sport. His best performance was in his final event and that was on home soil at Strathclyde Park prior to the Rio Paralympic Games. It was not however good enough to push him up the GB rankings and challenge for the one team place that was available.

Yet again the ex Bell Baxter HS pupil had given this project his best shot and along the way mastered two new disciplines to add to his considerable expertise as a swimmer. Some of us were not surprised when he did manage to get to the Rio Games as a guest of a friend and soak up the atmosphere which is synonymous with such a great occasion.

Since standing down from high performance Para sport Stefan has been a busy young man. Swimming teaching and coaching are his new passions and he has been fortunate to secure a lifeguard position with the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. Stefan signed up for the SDS inclusive coach programme, supported by Sports Coach UK and sportscotland. The programme has offered him a coach mentor and access to resources at a critical period of his career.

Having secured his first Scottish Swimming qualification Stefan was fortunate to access six hours of coaching time with Carnegie SC and the Orcas squad. Stefan also hopes to become a swimming teacher with the Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and also make use of the coaching qualification he secured while working with Triathlon Scotland . He is already preparing for his next qualification (Level 2 swimming coaching) while at the same time retaining some sessions with Rowlands Pharmacy where he has worked for many years. Stefan is grateful to the support offered by the Pharmacy throughout his high performance sporting career.

Stefan recently was deservedly short listed at the 2017 East Fife Sports Council Awards Evening and is enjoying time away from the intensity of high performance training. Competitive sport has been an important part of his life for almost two decades and during that time he has made many friends and enjoyed many wonderful sporting experiences.

Family is hugely important to Stefan and family members have always played a major role in his life in general and sport specifically. Stefan always has something new on the go and his latest project is running in the Edinburgh Marathon on 28th May to raise funds for Cash for Kids.

DSF wishes Stefan well and congratulates him on a super sporting career to date. As the next chapter of his life unfolds I am certain he will have a successful career as a teacher and coach.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

The 2017 Disability Sport Fife (DSF) cross country championships were held at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy. The championships are organised by DSF with considerable support from Fife AC and Kirkcaldy Rugby Club. Primary and Secondary Schools from throughout Fife with Departments for pupils with additional support needs participated as well as Fife AC club members and athletes who attend DSF weekly run, jump and throws sessions.

These were the third Fife Cross Country Championships and numbers have grown steadily over the three year period, culminating in a record registration this year of 133. In 2015, 77 athletes lined up and last year the number rose to 84. Levenmouth Academy, Bell Baxter HS, Madras College, Lochgelly HS, Balwearie HS and Woodmill HS competed for the Russell Hogg Inter Schools Trophy won by Buckhaven HS in 2016. Races were run over 500m, 1K, 2K and 3K.

A large number of Pitreavie Primary pupils took part for the first time. Ruby Jamieson and Tyler Burt won their respective 500m races in 7.01 and 3.35. Rimbleton Primary pupils were taking for the second year over 1K and Joel Robertson, Alexander Scott, Garry Patrick and Walter Donaldson were race winners. Keri MacNicol from Burntisland Primary won the P5 race for physically disabled athletes and Rosslyn pupil Michael Phimister won the 500m race for S1 ASN boys. Other 500m race winners were Jonathan McCormack S1 Balwearie HS, Joy Hutchison S1 Levenmouth Academy, Eilidh Lennox S2 Bell Baxter HS, Shay Dowie S3 Madras College, and Mary Nutman S3 Balwearie HS.

Sophie Coughlin from S1 Bell Baxter HS added the Fife 1K title to the Scottish Championships title won earlier in the month in Glasgow. Sophie’s 1K time was the fastest by a girl on the day. Jenna Richardson S2 Madras College and Mari Davidson S2 Levenmouth Academy won the final two races for S1/S2 girls. Woodmill HS boys dominated the equivalent events for junior boys with Richard Myers S1 and Edwin Barron S2 winning races in 8.23 and 5.45 respectively. Edwin had the fastest 1K time in the junior section.

Scottish Champion Rosalind Penman S3 from Balwearie HS won her race in 7.17, the second fastest time by a girl in the championships. Chloe Hutchison S5 Madras College and Kerry Kotlewski S4 Bell Baxter HS were the final two winners in the girls 1K races. Connor Brown S3 Woodmill HS was the fastest physically disabled athlete over 1K and and Dylon McKay S3 Levenmouth Academy the athlete who recorded the fastest 1K time of the day. Arran Howe S5 Bell Baxter HS won the S4-S6 race and in so doing set the second fastest 1K time of the day.

Louise Ferrier S2 Levenmouth Academy and Holly Jane Gray S4-S6 Madras College won the junior and senior girls 2K titles in 18.25 and 19.48. Allan Wilson S2 Levenmouth Academy was the boys junior champion with a 2K time of 11.37 and Matthew Blair S5 the boys senior champion with the fastest 2K time of the day, 11.20. Appearing in his first Fife Championships, Phillip Callander from West Fife Community Support Services won the senior men’s 2K ASN race and Michael Mellon Pitreavie AAC the equivalent race for senior men with a physical impairment.

Fife AC athletes dominated the Senior Open 3K with Sam Fernando adding the Fife title to the Scottish Championships title he won recently at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow. Sam’s Fife AC team mate and 2016 Fife and Scottish Champion Owen Miller, ran a splendid race to finish second. Owen is on his way back following a spell on the sidelines through injury. Their times were 12.58 and 13.11.

The two winning team captains contested the senior boys 3K race with Brandon Eason S6 Balwearie HS finishing two minutes ahead of Richard Allan S4 Levenmouth Academy. The senior men 3K B race was won by the ever improving Carter Taylor Fife AC (15.25) with Ryan Spearman Fife AC and Maurice Paterson Fife AC finishing in second and third place and crossing the line together.

Levenmouth Academy and Balwearie HS shared the honours at the end of the day in the team competition for the Russlel Hogg Trophy with 19 points each and will share the Trophy for the next 12 months.

One photo includes a section of the athletes who took part and the other photo includes representatives from Balwearie HS and Levenmouth Academy only. Michael Mellon presented the Russell Hogg Trophy to the winning captains, Brandon Eason Balwearie HS and Richard Allan Levenmouth Academy.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Forth Valley ‘Right on Target’ Boccia Club would like to extend a warm invitation to clubs, squads and individuals to enter the club’s Open Boccia Championships 2017.

Please download the details and entry form below, and if you wish further information do not hesitate to contact Jean Duncan, Head Coach on 07970 153 103 or email – jeanmd50@gmail.com.

Right on Target looks forward to seeing you on Saturday 17^th June 2017.

Right on Target Open Boccia Champs Entry Form 2017

SDS Central and Forth Valley Disability Sport would like to congratulate Liam Nolan, one of our T20/F20 Forth Valley Flyers athletes, on winning the Highly Commended Sports Achievement award at the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability Awards.

The Learning Disability Award ceremony, hosted at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Friday 19^th May 2017, provided an opportunity to celebrate on a national level the rarely heard stories and achievements of people with learning disabilities and the individuals who support them.

With over 120,000 nominations across all categories it was an outstanding achievement for Liam. View his story in the link below:
https://vimeo.com/217985167

To find out more about disability sport in Central Scotland and how to get involved please contact: Cheryl Willet (SDS RDM) at cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360