13 year old Cameron Herring from Woodmill HS in Dunfermline is another Disability Sport Fife (DSF) member who enjoyed an action packed 2018 across a range of sports. Since being introduced through the GOGA in Fife programme to the DSF Thursday run, jump and throws session at Pitreavie athletics centre and striking up a friendship and guiding partnership with final year Queen Anne HS pupil Euan Sloan, Cam has improved significantly in confidence, technique and performance. Euan is a GOGA in Fife young volunteer and the run, jump and throws session has benefitted from GOGA investment for the past two years.
Sprints and shot have been Cam’s preferred events to date. Physically he is developing perfectly as a teenage shot putter. He has always enjoyed sprinting and with volunteer Euan alongside his times have improved with every meet. Coach Pamela Robson is pleased with his commitment and progress. Cam turned in a string of fine performances at the Fife and Scottish Championships in 2018 and demonstrated clearly he has a future in athletics. One of the highlights of Cam’s year was spending time at Pitreavie with Rio Paralympic Para triathlon silver medalist Alison Patrick from Dunfermline and her fiancé/guide, for a short training session in sprints.
Cam is also now involved with judo and boxing. Inspired by his school judo experience Cam is scheduled to start with the Fu Dog club which is located across the road from home and where Carnegie Judo Club is located in Dunfermline. Jim and Ian Feenan are the inclusive coaches who are working with him at the moment. Considering how well Cam is developing physically there is every chance this young man will progress well in this well established inclusive Paralympic sport.
Cam is the first blind junior sports person to join DSF and to say he has made an impact would be an understatement. Cam is supported by a loving and caring family. Each week he lights up Thursday training sessions. The rapport he enjoys with GOGA volunteer Euan is very special and they share a similar sense of humour. Cam is brave, determined and hard working. Whatever direction he chooses in life will be a success but all of us in DSF hope he retains his interest in sport. Cam comes from a strong sporting family and of course there will be every encouragement.
Cam is also working intensively with the Guide Dogs Association to improve his mobility and eventually looking after his own dog. Mobility and communication are immense challenges for a young learner with a visual impairment and hopefully his sporting experiences will help to increase his confidence. It is not all that long since Cam lost his sight but with enormous support from his caring family and significant others he has developed into a confident young teenager. His contribution to GOGA in Fife as junior athlete and “unique young character” can never be underestimated.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife