For almost three decades the East Fife Indoor Club has hosted the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) Indoor Championships for bowlers with a learning disability. Club members and local mainstream bowlers turn out in significant numbers to support DSF members from across Fife and ensure the Championships run efficiently.

Fife bowlers are enjoying an incredible year, having retained the Inter Area Trophy at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy and produced three of the four finalists at the Scottish Lawn Bowls Championships at the Westburn Park in Aberdeen.

Wendy Thomson from East Fife CSS and St Andrews BC defeated Julie Allan from East Fife CSS and Windygates BC to win the Ladies Open title. This was a repeat result from the recent Scottish Lawn Bowls Championships organised by Scottish Disability Sport in Aberdeen. Both bowlers are enjoying their best seasons to date.

The Mens Open Final involved Darryl Stewart from Cowdenbeath and Craig Donaldson from Central Fife CSS and Kinghorn BC. They are the top two Fife bowlers and arguably the leading bowlers with a learning disability in Scotland. Both have won numerous Fife and Scottish titles to their names and Darryl was runner up at the 2016 Scottish Lawn Bowls Championships. Darryl sustained his run of good form with a narrow win on this occasion to take the title.

Wullie Christie from East Fife CSS and Windygates BC is the most improved player of the year and he defeated Robert McMahon from Central Fife CSS to win the B Category final. Newcomer Steven Anderson from Dovecot BC defeated Mathew Blisset from Glenrothes to win the C Category final. Dovecot BC was well represented by a small squad of young novice players who have been receiving quality coaching from club members over the summer.

Wayne Moreland from East Fife CSS won the Mens D Category final with Fergus Wilson from West Fife CSS finishing runner up. Ten West Fife CSS novice bowlers contested the short carpet competitions with Nikki Baxter winning the Ladies title and Philip Callander winning the Mens title. Hannah Moffat and Wayne Sammut finished runners up in their respective sections.

Club Vice President Willie Stewart presented the trophies to winners and runners up at the conclusion of the Championships. Fife bowlers with a physical, sensory or learning disability now turn their attention to the Fife Carpet Bowls Championships scheduled to be held on Wednesday 23^rd November at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre, Glenrothes.

Photo: Fife Indoor Bowls Championships winners and runners up

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club have appointed a new Club Development Co-ordinator who they believe will lead the way in developing the sport in the local community.

Today (Wednesday 7^th September) the club have announced Scotland Internationalist and previous World Championship Silver Medallist Billy Mellors as the club’s new Club Development Co-Ordinator.

The position, which is funded by Direct Club investment from sportscotland and funding from Lothian Disability Sport comes as a bid to strengthen and develop bowls in East Lothian. East Lothian Council have also pledged their support of the project along with East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club and East Lothian Bowling Association.

Founded in 1986 and now in its 30^th year East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club boasts a history of success whilst also being home to Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Alex Marshall MBE and bowling legend Willie Wood MBE.

The Club Development Co-ordinator position is an exciting development for the sport as the project is the first of its kind in Scotland. It comes at the perfect time as governing bodies of bowls look to work together to promote their sport as modern, successful and inclusive.

Working with key partners, including Bowls Scotland, Active Schools and Lothian Disability sport, Billy will be tasked with supporting local clubs to increase membership as well as creating an inclusive environment for players with a disability.

Commenting on his appointment Billy said:

“I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to develop bowls in East Lothian across all platforms. It will no doubt be a challenge but with the initiatives I will be putting in place I am certain the participation in bowls will grow year on year in East Lothian.”

Scott Kennedy of East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club said:

“This is a fantastic initiative, the first of its kind in bowls in Scotland.  Great credit must go to Sport Scotland, Bowls Scotland, Disability Sport and East Lothian Council for backing this role.  I’m sure the sport of bowls in East Lothian and the number of people participating will develop across all platforms over the coming years with the initiatives that Billy has planned.  It certainly is an exciting time for bowls in what is already one the country’s most successful counties when it comes to producing bowling talent.”

Lawn Bowls clubs will also benefit from the post as the Club Development Co-ordinator will also support East Lothian Bowling Association and the outdoor clubs in the local authority in increasing their membership and developing their club.

The Scottish Championship for Archers with Disabilities was held in Pollock Park in Glasgow on 29^th August. A contingent from Lothian Disability Sport were supported by families and coaches Nick Murrell and Richard Vallis. Our archers, who train at Archers’ Hall, courtesy of the Royal Company of Archers, and Meadowmill Sports Centre, East Lothian, shot in three categories: Adult Standing, Adult Novice Seated, and Visually Impaired.

We arrived late morning and after registration had lunch and set up equipment then found positions on the shooting line with about forty other archers.  After a short briefing from the judges, the shooting started. The weather was almost ideal for shooting; it stayed dry with just a very light breeze.

All the LDS archers shot well and brought medals home. As is usual in archery competitions the social aspect was as important as the shooting with possible new friendships being established.

Picture (from left to right) – Nick Murrell (LDS coach), Jocky Elliott, Ryan Johnston, Derek McDonald, Richard Vallis (LDS Archery Coordinator).

Disability Sport Fife considers Dunfermline Tennis Club a key partner in the development of tennis for players with different impairments. Dunfermline Tennis Club Head Coach Alan Russell has always been proactive in the promotion and provision of opportunities for players with a physical, sensory or learning disability. The recent DSF Academy tennis programme attracted 61 pupils from Woodmill HS and Balwearie HS to tennis coaching sessions during the summer term. This was followed up by sessions being offered during July and August at Dunfermline Tennis Club.

Following on from those successful tennis sessions in July and August, Disability Sport Fife in partnership with Dunfermline Tennis Club is offering a ‘Family Time’ tennis coaching and games session for participants with a physical, sensory or learning disability. Each player will practice and play games with an adult family member.  Dunfermline Tennis Club coaches will be in attendance to support and coach all learners.

The session will run on Sunday 18th September, 2pm – 3pm. The cost will be £3 per pair.

To book a place, please email coach@dunfermlinetennis.co.uk

Richard Brickley MBE
President Disability Sport Fife

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is delighted to see so many Scots selected for the Paralympics GB team for the Rio de Janeiro Summer Paralympic Games. This will be the most Scots at a Paralympic Games since 1996 and we wish all 33 athletes and players, along with their coaches and support staff, every success in Rio. This level of representation would not be possible without the hard work and inclusive approach of SDS’s key partners across Scotland and we would like to thank Scotland’s Governing Bodies of Sport in particular for all they have done to make this happen.

SDS is committed to supporting the full inclusion of children, athletes and players within Scottish Sport and supporting those with potential to progress in their chosen sport. If you have been inspired by the success of Scottish athletes and players during the Rio Games and want to get involved, then why not contact us at SDS and we can support you to find your sport.

Quick Facts

• Scottish athletes and players make up 12.5% of the ParalympicsGB team (compared to 9% at London 2012).
• The 33 Scottish athletes are competing in 12 sports (compared to 11 sports at London 2012).
• 18% increase of Scottish athletes/players at Rio 2016 compared to London 2012.
• 60% of Scottish athletes/players competing at the Paralympic Games for the first time.
• 36% of the athletes/players are women.
• 42% of the athletes/players were supported by the SDS Academy.
• 72% of the Scottish athletes/players competing in Rio 2016 have received support from SDS.
• 82% are supported by sportscotland’s Institute of Sport.
• 18% of the athletes/players are blind or visually impaired.
• 40% of the athletes/players use a wheelchair for sports.
• 27% of the Athletes and players are ambulant and have a physical disability.
• 3% of the athletes and players have a learning disability.
• 12% of the athletes and players are non-disabled.

Schedule

About the Sports

Profiles

Classification

The UK School Games took place from Thursday 1^st September – Sunday 4^th September at Loughborough University in England.

The West of Scotland had a huge representation in the team and this is credit to the many coaches and volunteers who are making such a difference to the progress of the up and coming athletes in the West.

All but one of the Athletics team were from clubs in the West and the athletes competed very well across the board.

Nathan Fleetwood from Whitemoss AC, secured gold in the 100m in a time of 11.70, and bronze in the long jump, with a distance of 4.32m.

The wheelchair racers were also in top form as Luke Deighan from Red Star AC, finished with a bronze in the 100m in a personal best time of 17.35s.  Multi record holder, Shelby Watson, Nithsdale, finished with two golds in the 100m and 800m in 21.52s and 2.40.30m respectively.  Red Star’s Kyle Brotherton finished 4^th in the 800m with a time of 2.17.83m.

Ross Paterson, Red Star AC, finished a credible fourth in both the 200m, 26.37 and the 400m, 59.27.

Margaret Newell, Law & District, jumped 3.45m to secure a bronze medal in the long jump and held her nerve in the 400m to finish in bronze medal position in a time of 73.42s.

Connaire McAlindon, Red Star AC, won a silver medal in the Shot Putt, 8.63m and had a fourth place finish in the Discus with a throw of 19.54m.

[masterslider alias=”ms-3-1″]

 

60% of the Scotland Wheelchair Basketball team were players from the West of Scotland: David Beattie, James Beattie, David Hird, Craig Brown and Tom McCaffrey. All played a part in gaining Scotland a 5^th place finish after some hard fought battles with their English and Welsh rivals.  There was some very exciting play from the Scottish team, in which they displayed great team spirit and resilience.

Wheelchair Tennis has grown in the West of Scotland due to the support from Glasgow Disability Tennis, the Tennis Foundation and Tennisscotland.  Three out of the four Scottish players competing this year were from the West and for two, it was their first experience of the games.

Ellie Robertson and Jade McGoldrick played well in both their singles and doubles games, and gained some valuable experience from their first appearance at the Games. Leo McLeod from Glasgow competed well in the singles and with doubles partner Ruairi Logan from Edinburgh, won silver in the boys doubles competition.

In Table Tennis, Andrew Berry, Declan Tobin and David Morrison represented Scotland both in singles and in the Team competition.  Both Andrew and Declan were up against some tough competition from the English regions and displayed some promise in their group matches.

David Morrison progressed well in the group stages and reached the semi-finals, where he  eventually came away with a bronze medal.  In the team competition the boys were placed 6^th. Much credit goes to Drumchapel TT Club and Joe Wilson TT club, where the boys are coached.

The swimming event is based on the British Disability Points system. West representatives Adam Donnachie, Kyle Hughes and Lewis Beagrie all performed well against strong opposition.

Adam, East Kilbride SC, finished with two 5^th place and one 6^th place in the 100m Breaststroke, 1.53.98m, 100m Backstroke, 1.29.58, and 100m Freestyle, 1.15.87 events, while Kyle placed 4^th in the 50m Freestyle event in a time of 30.91s.

Lewis placed 5^th and 7^th in the 200m IM, 2.50.62 and 100m Butterfly, 1.31.39,events.

A huge thanks to all the coaches and support staff who supported the athletes, and the parents who made their way from Scotland to cheer the team on.

Beth Potter, Team GB 10,000m runner, stopped off at Scotstoun Stadium last week to visit Victoria Park AC Disability Group. The group is currently coached by Beth’s sister Sarah Potter along with coaches Becky Dunphy, Peter MacGregor and Linda Innes.

There was much excitement at the prospect of a visit from a member of Team GB and ex-VP athlete, Beth.

Seven of the group have been selected for the Special Olympics in Sheffield in 2017 and they were very impressed and inspired by their new role model.

Beth has just returned from the Olympics in Rio and she kindly donated some of her GB training gear and her vest number to the club.

The U11’s, U13’s and U15’s were also very excited by her presence and insisted on autographs and selfies before they allowed Beth to go home.

Beth spent 90 minutes at the trackside and made lots of new fans. She’ll be returning to training very soon to prepare for her next target, which will be the World Championships in London.

For the second successive year Fife bowlers with a physical, sensory or learning disability played magnificently at the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) Lawn Bowls Championships at the Westburn Park in Aberdeen. Expectations on this occasion were lower than usual because of the absence from the team of world championships medalists Martin Hunter, Michael Simpson and Maria Simpson plus Barbara McMillan and Pamela Mitchell. All were unavailable for selection because of injury, illness, family weddings etc. However, Fife team Manager John Collins led the team north with Team Fife’s usual upbeat attitude that because training and preparations had gone well there was every chance of a few high placings.

Once again Team Fife excelled in the sections for bowlers with a learning disability. Wendy Thomson and Julie Allan from East Fife CSS contested the women’s final with Wendy winning the title for the second time. Wendy plays her bowls at the St Andrews Bowling Club and Julie plays at Windygates BC. This was by Julie’s best performance in a national championships. Tanis Murphy, also from East Fife CSS and Windygates Bowling Club, reached the semi finals.

In the equivalent section for male bowlers with a learning disability Darryl Stewart from Cowdenbeath Bowling Club repeated his 2015 performance and finished runner up, losing out in the final by only one shot (8-9) after leading up until the final end. Defending champion Craig Donaldson from Kinghorn BC lost out in the third round.

Yet again Scottish International Billy Allan from Cowdenbeath BC led from the front. Billy’s record in SDS Championships is exceptional. Last year he was runner up to world champion and Fife team mate Martin Hunter but this year he won the section for non restricted ambulant physically and visually impaired bowlers. Yet another national title for one of Scotland’s most experienced internationals.

Mary Wilson is relatively new to Disability Sport Fife but within a few years she has made a significant impact in the sports of swimming and athletics in particular. Mary was encouraged to take up bowls this year and within a matter of a few months she has progressed up the rankings. In Aberdeen she finished runner up in her third major tournament of the year. Mary is coached by Sarah Jane Ewing at Abbeyview Bowling Club but because she now lives in Edinburgh she plays her club bowls in the capital.

Six sections were contested and Fife bowlers won two national titles and three runners up medals. Another great performance by Team Fife. Attention now turns to the Annual Fife Indoor Championships for bowlers with a learning disability at the East Fife Indoor BC at Methil on Thursday 8th September.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Disability Sport Fife’s three swimmers who competed in the 2016 Sainsbury’s UK School Games returned with many happy memories, several personal best times and three medals.

Ollie Carter lives outside Cupar, swims for Carnegie SC and is recognised as one of the emerging physically disabled juniors in Scottish swimming. Ollie won silver in 100 metres freestyle and finished 6^th in 100 metres butterfly.

Cara Smyth from Dalgety Bay and INCAS is having a great season with personal bests almost every time she competes. Cara won double bronze for 100 metres breaststroke and 100 metres butterfly and was 4^th in 200 metres Individual Medley.

Steven McCormick from Kirkcaldy and FINS was 6^th in 100 metres backstroke and 7^th in 50 metres freestyle and had two PBs.

Well done the Fife junior swimmers.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Mike and Joan Mowat from Dovecot Bowling Club attended a Sports Coach UK, How to Coach Disabled People in Sport (DSF) workshop organised by Disability Sport Fife at the Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre, Glenrothes. Within a few days of the workshop, DSF was negotiating with the Dovecot club to provide some last minute coaching for Briony Clark who had been called up by DSF for the Fife women’s Inter Area Bowls squad. The club provided quality coaching for Briony and she went on to contribute significantly to the Team Fife retention of the Inter Area Trophy at the Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy.

Briony is now one of several young bowlers with additional support needs who are attending the club and receiving excellent coaching from club members. Thanks to a bursary from the Fife Association of Fife Rotary clubs it has been possible to buy bowling shoes for the young players. Second hand bowls have been donated to DSF by mainstream club members from within the Central Fife area. Briony has been joined by Adam Faulds and Stephen and Robert Anderson and more learners are expected to join this excellent example of an inclusive sports/bowls club in the period ahead.

As well as Bob and Joan Mowat, DSF is indebted to Barbara Robertson who has been helping Briony and Marshall McIntyre and Alistair Pringle who have been helping Robert and Stephen. For some time DSF has been trying to establish an inclusive bowls session within the Glenrothes area and Dovecot BC have come to the rescue. Watch this space for further developments within Central Fife.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife