Category: Uncategorized

Group photo of course participants

Another Successful DIT Workshop in Fife

Evening two of the 2017 Fife Disability Inclusion Training (DIT) Workshop was successfully concluded at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes. Set up by the Physical Education Lead officer Blair Duncan, in conjunction with Scottish Disability Sport and Disability Sport Fife (DSF), the workshop has become a popular annual feature of the Education Services INSET calendar. SDS tutors Heather Lowden and Richard Brickley led the two twilight sessions of interactive theory and practice and introduced the delegates to a wide range of subject matter relating to disability sport and inclusive practice.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

East of Scotland Para Bowls Development Day

East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club provided the ideal location for the recent East Para Bowls Development Day, inviting individuals to come along and try the sport of bowls under the expert eye of a number of experienced coaches.

The development day took place on Sunday 12th of February, aiming to promote disability bowls in the East of Scotland area and provide an environment where beginners could gain experience of the sport while more advanced players could benefit from the expertise from coaches present and keen to impart their knowledge.  The session welcomed fifteen bowlers to East Lothian with many of that number coming from a mainstream club background, highlighting the number of players with an impairment who are actively participating in the sport.

The day was coordinated and delivered in partnership between East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club (ELIBC), Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and Lothian Disability Sport (LDS), looking to increase the awareness of opportunities in disability bowls and ignite a longer term objective – establishing a regular ‘HUB’ session, providing the platform for players from Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders with an impairment to progress and develop within the sport.  SDS will aim to support players from grassroots participation right through to a performance level, should they display the talent and desire to do so.

ELIBC have recently received Direct Club Investment from sportscotland, a support package which will aim to help and develop the club through increased membership, youth engagement, player retention and of course increased participation in disability bowls.  LDS were also in a position to provide funding to support this Direct Club Investment, resulting in the creation of a Development Coordinator position which was filled by renowned East Lothian based bowler Billy Mellors.  Billy has been instrumental in the work done thus far and will be a key figure in developing disability bowls in the East region moving forward – Billy highlighted ‘We are delighted that so many participants attended the session and encouraged that a genuine spread of experienced bowlers and new starters took part which is exactly the purpose of the Hub. Our coaches excelled on the day and look forward to the programme that will be scheduled soon.

Inclusive Bowls Performance Development Manager for Scottish Disability Sport, Ron McArthur was also present on the day to provide his experience in the world of Para bowls and provided disability specific training to ten coaches from the East and Midlothian in the lead up to the event to ensure they were comfortable and confident to work with a range of players with varying disabilities including visual impairment, cerebral palsy and learning disability.  Ron added that ‘Bowls is a total inclusion sport open to everyone regardless of disability, ability or age.  Whether you want to you play fun games or go onto International Level, Billy and his coaches will guide you on a pathway that will best suit your needs and help you achieve your full potential.  Play well and enjoy’.

If you are keen to attend the new HUB session or looking for further information relating to disability bowls in the East of Scotland, please get in touch with Neal Herbert (Regional Manager, SDS) on neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 625 4414 or Billy Mellors (ELIBC Development Coordinator) on development@bowlseastlothian.uk or 07930 716073.

Deaf swimmers in the pool

Deaf Friendly Swimming – Highland

Does your child want to improve their swimming skills and make new friends?

The National Deaf Children’s Society, in partnership with Highlife Highland are holding a Deaf-Friendly Swimming lessons for deaf children and young people in two Highland locations!

Dingwall Leisure Centre
Tulloch Avenue IV15 9LH
Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February – 3 days of intensive lessons during half term

  • Beginners 3 – 5yrs – 9:00am – 9:30am
  • Beginners 5yrs + – 9:00am or 9:30am
  • Improvers – 9:30am – 10am

Invergordon Leisure Centre
Academy Road, IV18 0LB
Monday 17 April to Friday 21 April – 5 days of intensive lessons; Easter Holidays

  • Beginners 3 – 5yrs – 9:00am – 9:30am
  • Beginners 5yrs + – 9:00am or 9:30am
  • Improvers – 9:30am – 10:00am

 FREE

Young people of all abilities are invited to take part in fun activities and learn new skills, delivered by fully qualified, deaf aware swimming teachers.

To book please contact:

Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer on 0141 354 7860 or email eleanor.connelly@ndcs.org.uk  with child’s details and preferred lesson time.

Spaces are limited so please book early.

Selection of sportshall equipment

Education Scotland Support for Fife

Disability Sport Fife (DSF) was fortunate to receive a grant from Education Scotland through Scottish Disability Sport to purchase sportshall equipment for the Fife run, jump and throws sessions. The equipment is proving very popular with Fife athletes as they prepare for the 2017 Sportshall Championship organised by scottishathletics and SDS.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

West Swimming Championships Success

West Regional Swimming Championships Success

This year the West Regional Swimming Championships, organised by the West Federation of swimming Clubs, was held at the Citadel Pool in Ayr.  This was the first time in many years that a major Disability Championships had taken place at the Citadel, and staff were delighted to welcome swimmers and their clubs from all over the West of Scotland.

An enormous entry of 199 swimmers, competing in 112 events meant the organisers had a huge task on their hands, but with experienced staff, officials and volunteers on poolside, the Championships ran smoothly and finished within the allotted time.

After some fantastic performances throughout the day, points were counted and the winning team was announced as…..Annan & Eskdale! Congratulations to their swimmers and coaches!

The Federation were delighted to welcome their guests of honour, Colin & Carolyn Macdonald, in recognition and thanks for their commitment and support to Disability swimming.  Colin and Carolyn presented medals throughout the day and seemed to enjoy their new role!

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 and May this year.

Thanks to staff at the Citadel Pool, West District Swimming Officials, support staff and volunteers, swimmer and coaches for ensuring the smooth running of the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne McGrath in racing wheelchair

Inspirational Fife Wheelchair Racer

Susanne McGrath from Glenrothes has only been wheelchair racing for a couple of years but in that time she has made a very positive impression on Disability Sport Fife (DSF) coaches and fellow athletes. With incredible support from her father Eddie in particular, Susanne has demonstrated regular commitment to training and continuous improvement in her performance.

In 2015 Susanne turned in a few impressive pushes in track racing meets but it was last year that she joined the small band of GB female wheelchair athletes who have completed a marathon. The occasion was the Edinburgh Marathon in May and she completed the course in 3:58:14. Susanne also competed in the 2016 Great Scottish Run. Susanne however is confident that she can improve her 2016 times and she is preparing accordingly.

Susanne will head to the scottishathletics wheelchair racing workshop on Saturday 11th Feb at Grangemouth to pick up some tips from Great Britain’s leading wheelchair racing coaches and fellow athletes. This will supplement the excellent advice she already receives weekly from DSF lead coach Pamela Robson who will also be in attendance with other Fife athletes and coaches.

Susanne came into wheelchair racing late in her career with the aim of completing a marathon before she turned a certain age. Wheelchair racing means much more to her now and this inspirational mum of two has set a challenging schedule for 2017. In addition to her track racing, Susanne plans to compete once again in the Edinburgh Marathon in May and the Dublin Marathon for the first time in October. Father Eddie will never be too far away and trying of course to improve his own marathon and half marathon times.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Ayrshire Sportsability logo

Ayrshire Sportsability Awards

In 2009 ASA introduced awards to promote and applaud local achievements in sports for children and young people with a disability in Ayrshire and Arran.  This years winners will be announced at our annual Charity Ball on Saturday 18th March 2017 at the Princess Royal Suite, Ayr Racecourse.

 Ayrshire Sportsability Award Categories

Young Athlete of the Year Award 2016 sponsored by Ayrshire College  —This award is for a student who has displayed exceptional qualities in disability sport (The young person must have been 18 or under at the time of participation) The deciding criteria will be: Dedication, Effort, Significant achievements in medals/trophies.

Athlete of the Year Award 2016  —This award is for an athlete who has displayed exceptional qualities in disability sport (over 18 at the time of participation) The deciding criteria will be:

Dedication, Effort, Significant achievements in medals/trophies

Most Active School Award 2016 sponsored by South Ayrshire Council —This award is made to a school in Ayrshire or an individual within a school who has promoted a new initiative for children and young people with a disability: Criteria will include Inclusion and Innovation

(Finalists will be one from East, North and South Ayrshire).

Activity in the Community Award 2016  —This award is for a club that has made a difference over the year in delivering sports to people with a disability. This award recognises the skill, experience and devotion that exist in disability sport.

Disability SportsCoach of the Year 2016  – This award is for a coach who has made a difference in delivering disability sports to people with a disability.

The Award will be decided using the following criteria: Continual professional development, Helping others achieve their goals, Club/Individual Achievements

Nomination form

 

(Please advise the person you are nominating that you have submitted a nomination. If they reach the final they will receive a pair of tickets to attend our Charity Ball on 18th March 2017 to see if they have won)

Please return before 28th February 2017 by email to admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk

 

 

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Dumfries Weekly Sports Club

Weekly sports club for people with a physical or sensory disability

When: Fridays, 4.30pm – 5.30pm, starting 24th February
Where: Loreburn Hall, Dumfries
Cost: £2.00 per session

For further information about these sessions please contact Laura Vickers on 01461 207 028, 07795 637 689 / 07795 680 141 or email laura.vickers@dumgal.gov.uk.

 

Group photo of presentation

Over 20 years of Working Together in Fife

The members of the Order of St John Fife have been passionate supporters of Disability Sport Fife (DSF) for over 20 years. Successive fund raising committees have supported individual Fife athletes and teams to achieve their full potential in sport. By far the largest project was the provision of a mini bus but for many DSF members it was the training bursaries or equipment purchases that made all the difference when they were starting out in performance sport.

Traditionally the Order cheque is handed over at the annual Carol Service but this year Committee Members travelled to the DSF Office at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre to make the presentation to three generations of DSF athlete members.

Three times Paralympian Adam Morley, 2016 Rio Paralympian Derek Rae and 11 year old Tyler McLelland gratefully accepted a cheque for £500 on behalf of the DSF Chairman and President. Adam and Derek are fully committed DSF sporting ambassadors and young Tyler, who has only been a DSF member for three months, was representing the talented youth contingent that is a feature of DSF in 2017. Already Tyler has shown promise in boccia, swimming and athletics.

DSF President Richard Brickley thanked the Order Chair, Stuart Morris of Balgonie, for many years of generous financial support and friendship. Successive generations of Committee members have demonstrated commitment to individual Fife athletes and they have responded by being successful in competitive sport.

Also in attendance were Order Treasurer Lesley Macdonald, Secretary Findlay Macrae and Committee members Mary Gilmour, Elizabeth Laing and Ewen Macdonald.

Richard Brickley MBE
President Disability Sport Fife

Swimming at the Discovery Games

Grampian Regional Swimming Gala

Fraserburgh Swimming Pool will once again will play host to the Mary Duncan regional swimming gala for athletes with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

The event will take place on Saturday 4th March from 12noon until 4pm.

If you would like to find out more information please contact: Claire McDonald on 07533056564 or email: claire.mcdonald@scottishdisabilitysport.com