Wednesday 23 November was an important fixture in the calendar of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) as it represented the final Championships of the 2016 sporting calendar, however it also represented the end of an era with Colin MacDonald drawing his tenure as SDS Swimming Officials Co-ordinator to a close after a significant and successful period at the helm.
The MacDonald family first became involved with SDS because of their son Gordon who was a physically disabled swimmer with enormous potential. Sadly Gordon retired from competitive swimming while still a junior but mum, dad and daughter continued their interest and over the years have made an enormous contribution to swimming officiating in the west and the Scottish Disability Sport national events programme specifically. The team of swimming officials Colin has assembled is second to none and nobody epitomises commitment to SDS swimming more than Colin and his wife Carolyn. They have supported the programme for almost two decades and in recent years Colin has coordinated the swimming officials’ team-list for all galas nationally and in the west of Scotland. Colin is a true gentleman in every sense. Very professional and reliable and at the same time understanding of the needs of SDS members. Colin has supported SDS gala personnel enthusiastically and ensured that SDS swimming events are of a standard appropriate to the needs of SDS performance swimmers. Although Colin will be greatly missed from his role as co-ordinator it is hoped that both Colin and Carolyn continue to be involved at SDS events in the future. A fine couple in every way! We wish Colin, Carolyn and their family well and thank them for many years of unstinting service.
Thanks to Richard Brickley MBE for additional content.