Eric Boyle is a regular at the Thursday Multi-Sports session at Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre. Eric is supported by Scottish Autism staff and for many years now has enjoyed the sessions immensely.
In 2015 Eric joined the Tuesday evening run, jump, and throws sessions at Pitreavie Athletics Centre and settled in quickly. He enjoys meeting up with former school friends and of course his dad Tony who is there supporting West Fife Community Support Services participants. Tony is a Scottish Athletics qualified coach and proud to be involved with Disability Sport Fife.
The Tuesday session involves fewer athletes than Thursdays and Eric has benefitted from being in the smaller group. Always eager to please Eric participates in the warm up and cool down at the start and end of the sessions. Because the group is smaller Eric has time to observe the coach and copy different exercises like walking on tip toes, walking on heels, ‘Raith Rovers’ etc
Eric has enjoyed all aspects of the programme, but his favourite activity has always been running and over the years he has won a few medals. Unfortunately, deterioration in Eric’s health meant that he is no longer able or allowed to run. It was difficult for Eric initially to walk instead of run, especially during the warm because he knew that jogging is an important component. With constant reinforcement Eric has accepted the “must walk” rule and we are all so proud of him. Coaches Pamela and Gayle always remind Eric about the walking rule and reinforce the message with a little signing.
In the standing long jump Eric seemed unable to jump forwards either going up and down or up and backwards. A jumping practice activity from one mat to another offered Eric a clear visual of where to jump to and through time he mastered jumping forward. When it was suggested a mat go in the sand Eric was able to aim for that successfully and eventually over a line drawn in the sand – what progress! Eric had learned how to jump forwards and be measured, enough for him to be entered into the standing long jump. One evening in the chip shop Eric saw two mats and with the biggest cheesiest grin Eric took his place and jumped from one mat to the other. He was so pleased with himself.
As part of the warm up, the group walk around the circuit and Eric enjoys this immensely. During the holiday breaks when Tuesday sessions are off Eric chooses to go to Ballast Bank and walk round the circuit there. As Eric is no longer allowed to run, he puts more effort into walking. He has improved his skill and speed so much and in 2019 he moved up a classification section to compete against more experienced opponents.
Eric has improved a range of sports skills on Tuesdays and this has impacted on many aspects of his life:
- Queueing, paying, getting his receipt (leisure centre staff very patient and interact well)
- Turn taking
- Resting
- Listening to instructions
- Watching demonstrations
- Changing routines and activities
- Working with his peers
- Communicating with service users/West Fife staff and DSF staff and volunteers.
These are all vital skills and Eric has been able to transfer these to other situations including the Thursday Multi-Sports as well as during time with his nephew and neice.
Eric received DSF kit for his birthday and he proudly wears it to the sessions. In the photo with his nephew Matthew he is seen wearing his DSF top. Eric contributes so much to the sessions in Glenrothes and Dunfermline and at the same time gets so much from them. SA staff support is always of the highest order and he has an incredibly strong family team behind him. Eric is a really sociable young man and a very valued member of Disability Sport Fife.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees