Michael has been involved in seven Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, three as a wheelchair basketball player and bowler, two as a wheelchair basketball coach and two as a wheelchair curler. Michael won 2 Paralympic bronze medals for bowls in Toronto in 1976. Michael led Team GB in wheelchair basketball during a period of great success at international level. In 1993, he was voted Scottish and UK Coach of the Year.
Throughout his career he has been a wonderful role model for wheelchair sportspeople in all sports. In 2000, when wheelchair curling was in its infancy in Scotland, Michael caught the bug and like everything he does launched himself into the sport with total commitment. Not surprisingly success followed. A bronze in 2002 in Sursee in Switzerland was followed with gold medals as a member of the winning Scottish Team at the World Championships in 2004 and 2005. In addition he has won Scottish and British open titles.
Michael’s finest hour was in 2006 when he won silver as a member of the GB Winter Paralympic Wheelchair Curling team. In 2007 he was the Scottish skip when Scotland won bronze at the World Championships in Sweden.
Michael has contributed so much more to Scottish and British Curling teams than his skill as a wheelchair curler. He is a great motivator, enthusiast and supporter of his fellow players. He is a wonderful team player. His whole life has been in team sports and he has brought that experience to the sport of wheelchair curling for Scotland and GB. He plays his part in the development of the sport as a coach and he is always keen to offer advice to up and coming players.
Michael also team managed the Scottish Bowls team to third place success in Australia at the IBD World Championships in 2007. A true champion, a real gentleman, a proud Scot and one of Scotland’s leading sporting role models.