As a 14 year old schoolboy in Dingwall Academy, Fraser Owen from Marybank in Ross-shire would wonder what it would be like, as any other youngster would, about playing football for his favourite team or taking part in a sport that could elevate him to a higher level. But this was a thing he could only dream about.
Fraser has cerebral palsy and is a quadriplegic, which means he is affected in all his four limbs and his muscle power and movement are restricted to how he can run and move.
Unlike other pupils in his school, Fraser was basically swimming against the tide as opportunities for him to be part of a sporting environment where he could be like any other pupil or sport participant were not easily available.
However, when he got involved with Highland United Football Club (Disability Football Team) playing the sport he loves, it got to a stage as he matured that football was not going to be an option as his disability would not allow him to play as others could.
A chance meeting at his school with an athletics coach paved a way forward for him, and without much persuasion, he decided to give athletics a go. Since then his own grit and determination has taken him to where he is now, and words could not describe his joy at being selected for the British School Games taking place at Loughborough on the weekend of 3rd to 5th September. Fraser will compete in the Ambulant 100mtrs an event he has been training for since joining the Inverness Harriers Para Squad for the last four years. He will also be competing in the relay.
Nothing has phased Fraser about competing against non-disabled athletes and he trains 3 times a week which involves a 45 mile round trip each time. His main competitions take place in England where competes to help further his experience and development. At the recent British Athletics Championships at Bedford Fraser picked up a gold and bronze medal in the 200m and 100m respectively.
Well done on your much deserved selection Fraser.