Round two of the Disability Sport Fife 7s League supported by the Scottish Football Association and Kirkcaldy HS was held on Wednesday 19th February. Ten secondary school teams from throughout Fife competed in the S1/S2 and S3-S6 junior and senior competitions for pupils with additional support needs. This year for the first time players will be competing for the Russell Hogg Cup and George Courts Jnr trophy.
After the first round in the S1/S2 competition, Lochgelly HS juniors led the way with 9 points and Bell Baxter HS and Queen HS occupied the second spot with 6 points each. Queen Anne HS juniors topped the table at the end of round two with 8 points, one ahead of Bell Baxter HS and two points ahead of round one winners Lochgelly HS. After two rounds however Lochgelly HS retain first place with 15 points, 1 point ahead of Queen Anne HS and 2 points ahead of Bell Baxter HS. Jake Petty from Queen Anne HS is the current leading goal scorer with 13 points.
In the S3-S6 competition Balwearie HS pupils led the way at the end of the first round with 12 points, two points ahead of Lochgelly HS. Balwearie HS pupils retained their form in round two, topping the table for a second time with 11 points, two ahead of Lochgelly HS and Queen Anne HS. Overall the S3-S6 positions are Balwearie HS 1st, Lochgelly HS 2nd and Queen Anne HS 3rd with one round still to play. The top two teams in the senior competition will represent Fife at the National Championships organised by the Scottish FA and Scottish Disability Sport. Ryan Baird from Lochgelly HS is the top scorer with 14 goals. Also taking part in the League were the pupils from Woodmill HS and Madras College.
Disability Sport Fife (DSF) is indebted to the Scottish FA for the grant it received this year to develop football opportunities for players with additional support needs. DSF is also indebted to referees
Andrew McGachan and Tommy Roberts plus Secretary Derek Lowe from Fife Referees Association for support of the 7s League since its inception.
In attendance and offering support were DSF partners Lee Bailey and Davie Honeyman (Fife Council/Scottish FA Football Development Officers), Matthew Solomons (Pars Foundation) and Paul Greig (Raith Rovers). The delivery of football in Fife for players with additional support needs involves all the key key agencies and most importantly it is inclusive in ethos and practice.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees