Disability Sport Fife (DSF) tries to maintain contact with athlete members as they progress in life following their career in Para sport. Lucy Walkup from Glenrothes and Carnegie Swimming Club was one of Scotland’s most successful high performance deaf swimmers and a GB international for several years. Lucy was recognised by Disability Sport Fife and Scottish Disability Sport for her commitment to each organisation and then achieved the highest accolade in her parent body by being selected for the Deaflympics.
Lucy learned to swim, became an enthusiastic swimmer in a DSF session, blossomed at Glenrothes ASC and excelled in national and international swimming as a member of Carnegie SC. The perfect swimming pathway progression and of course with the vital ingredient of an incredibly supportive family.
As well as being totally committed to swimming, Lucy worked hard at Auchmuty HS, progressed to the University of Stirling where she completed her outstanding swimming career. However Lucy was determined to remain in swimming and she quickly completed a number of Scottish Swimming swim teaching qualifications and secured employment. As a Stirling University undergraduate she teaches swimming for 13 hours per week at Wallace HS and for 3.5 hours at the Peak. Her learners span all levels of ability and she now has a session that includes learners with additional support needs. Lucy was delighted to inform me about this new weekend development.
Lucy has now entered her final year of Sports Studies, having successfully completed her third year. Lucy hopes to apply to pursue a Post Graduate Qualification in Secondary Teaching if all goes well in this final year and she graduates as planned. However further study is necessary this year for this ambitious career addition and Lucy is in the process of sorting out the logistics. Those of us who have had the privilege of working with this determined young woman will be confident that if she sets her mind on this diversion, she will be successful.
Walkup family members were very much a part of Disability Sport Fife and throughout Lucy’s school years in particular. Lucy and her family were amazingly loyal to DSF and SDS and Lucy represented Fife and Scotland over many years in galas throughout the UK. I was thrilled to hear that Lucy’s brother Greig is heading to Edinburgh University in September to study Biomedical Sciences. Well done Greig.
Well done to the Walkups and particularly Lucy who offered years of service to disability sport in Fife and is now giving back hours of her time to her sport as an establishes swim teacher. DSF is on the lookout for the next Lucy Walkup who has overcome the challenges of sensory impairment to become one of the best in her sport and a most competent swim teacher.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife