On Wednesday the 5^th of July, young people with disabilities from all over Scotland congregated at the National Sports Centre Inverclyde for what can only be described as an action packed few days! On arrival participants were split into 3 teams who then competed against each other over the 3 days to see who would be crowned Summer Camp Champions for 2017!

On day 1 the teams went head to head into the gym, competing in the “SDS Superstars” event. This activity required the team members to work together and think outside the box as athletes had to complete various challenges using heavy weights. The participants and staff then competed in a 200m time trial on the rowing machines which certainly brought out the competitiveness of the athletes and staff. It was like the teams were competing for gold in Rio! After a very busy afternoon everyone was feeling pretty tired, thankfully a barbeque and sunshine helped everyone to recover. Wednesday night saw the teams compete again, this time doing activities such as boccia, goalball, hockey, golf and many more.

After a great night’s sleep in the newly refurbished accommodation the participants were raring to go for day 2. With the competition heating up it was all to play for with teams taking part in an orienteering challenge full of clues and riddles which made everyone think hard and work together to gain the points. Campers also took part in Archery where there were definitely some future stars of the sport taking part with some fantastic shooting on display. Cycling proved to be a big hit as the three teams battled it out in a time trial round the course. I’m not sure who was more determined to get the fastest time… the staff or the campers. Blazing saddles helped to give every participant the opportunity to cycle with a variety of adapted bikes to suit everyone’s needs. After a quick break for lunch the athletes were back at it with one group doing water sports whilst the other did their SDS Superstars Challenge.

The water sports involved a variety of activities from an exhilarating trip around the loch on a speed boat to a more sedate paddle in a canoe or kayak. Despite the rain everyone smiled from ear to ear all afternoon.

Soaking but satisfied everyone headed back to Inverclyde for some ice cream which helped fuel our brains for the evening quiz. With each team excelling at different rounds the quiz was closely contested but the green team eventually won through.

The last morning saw the final chance to grab some last minute points. The Military Mayhem challenge was organised by non-other than camp legend John De Courcy! Teams were put through their paces having to create a marching routine, shoot targets and complete an assault course as a team, which included running with an injured soldier in a sling! The staff thoroughly enjoyed this activity as they got to dress up and get saved by the young people! There was some great cohesion on show from all the teams throughout the tasks

After the morning’s tasks, everyone sat down for lunch before the highly anticipated reveal of the SDS Camp Champions 2017! With excitement and anticipating filling the room Mark announced the placings for the camp. In third place was the Red team, closely followed by the Green team and the Blue team were crowned SDS Summer Camp Champions for 2017!

Apart from the fierce competition, Summer Camp is all about giving young people with disabilities the opportunity to try new sports, meet new people and learn new skills. Throughout my time at summer camp I have seen so many people develop and grow into fantastic young athletes. Summer camp has given me lots of opportunities and helped my personal development as well as motivating me to continue to improve myself physically and mentally. None of this would be possible without the support of Celtic Football Foundation and the National Lottery Big Fund Scotland, so a massive thanks from me and all the other participants!

By Gemma Lumsdaine

Young Person Sport Panel Member 

Two para bowlers from the Scottish Borders are all set to compete at the National Championships in Ayr on Friday 27th July. Mike Nicoll and Daniel Porter have been invited by Scottish Disability Sport selectors to compete in the Para-Bowls events at Ayr Northfield, presenting an excellent opportunity to showcase the Para side of the sport to hundreds of spectators over the weekend of 27th/28th July.

Porter, 26, will be participating at the Championships for the first time having only become involved with Para Bowls in February this year after attending an East of Scotland Development Day. The Galashiels Bowling Club player kicks off his Championships in the B7/B8 Category against John Hughes on Friday 28th July at 12.30pm and will be looking to spring a few surprises on his debut.

Nicoll is slightly more experienced in the world of Para Bowls having recently returned from the Gold Coast in Australia where he represented Scotland at the 8 Nations and Para Sport event – an event that will have a bearing on Commonwealth Games qualification. The Jedburgh bowler, who was also part of the Scottish team who competed at the Home Nations International in Wales in April this year, will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s result in Ayr – the Borders man claiming victory in the competitive B6 Category and begins his defence tomorrow at 12.30pm against Andrew Semple. Although Nicoll has enjoyed success in Para Bowls, he too has only been involved for a relatively short period highlighting the opportunities for bowlers with a disability.

This year’s National Championships in Ayr includes the Men’s B6 and Men’s B7/B8 categories, in addition to the Ladies Open Class Competition. However for the first year, the Championships are extending the competitive opportunity to male and female players with a visual impairment with the introduction of the B2/B3 classification. This development highlights an exciting time for Para Bowls in Scotland with the Commonwealth Games just around the corner in 2018.

It is a fond farewell to Colin Duthie, who has retired from his role as Sports Development Officer for South Ayrshire Council.  Colin had worked for the council since the early 2000’s, undertaking various different work, but his main role and passion were disability sport where he made a huge impact on the people of South Ayrshire.  His enthusiasm, knowledge and persona will be greatly missed.

Colin started out in disability sport himself doing equestrian where he represented Scotland and Great Britain, doing extremely well in a very tough sport.  To this day he is involved in equestrian as a trustee and active member of Carrick RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) where his support is invaluable.

Along with Gordon Rainey, Colin founded South Ayrshire Access to Sport (SAAS) in 1999, which at the time was a branch organisation of Scottish Disability Sport, and would provide activities, support and funding to the local people who wanted to get involved in disability sport.  SAAS was a charity and Colin and others would actively fundraise for the group.

At the same time Colin was heavily involved in Ayrshire Sportsability (ASA), which was established in 2001, as one of the founding members and represented the Council on the board.  ASA initially started out providing opportunities for children and young people with disabilities in all three of the Ayrshires, but has since moved on to include adults, and SAAS is now under the wing of ASA who are now the branch of SDS.  Colin is still actively involved in SAAS and ASA and this will undoubtedly continue for as long as possible.

Cars, bikes and going fast have always been Colin’s passion and he was instrumental in setting up Disability Motorsport Scotland (DMS) where he is also a trustee and races for DMS in Superlap Scotland at Knockhill.

Colin is an extremely pleasant, caring, friendly and patient individual who always has time for others.  His desire for disability sport and helping others get involved and realise their potential is second to none. He has always been a great supporter of SDS and everyone who knows him wishes him well for the future.  See you soon Colin!

Keeley Cerretti and Ryan Gregson (both from South Lanarkshire) were lucky to get a place in the Junior Amputee Football Camp in Poland.  They were put forward by Ashley from Finding Your Feet, and there were 58 other children (only three girls) from across Europe.  Keeley and Ryan travelled with their dads (David and Stephen respectively) to the camp and everyone had a fantastic experience across the three days, making many new friends.

The training was based at the Soccer Arena in Warsaw and was split into sections based on age group, with first class coaching making it fun and challenging for all involved.

Both families were impressed with the organisation of the camp, and got a friendly welcome from all the officials, coaches and volunteers representing the European Amputee Football Federation. It was also managed really well with designated assistants to help with arrangements and translation etc.

This was a great experience for both Keeley and Ryan and David (Keeley’s dad) said he was really inspired by the kids and how he will remember the joy they had and the smiles on their faces.

Keeley’s quote from her experience: “I really enjoyed playing football with boys and girls my own age.  I also met a new friend called Chloe from Ireland (now pen pals) and I loved the fact that Donald Trump was in Warsaw at the same time as me.”

The camp is supported by UEFA and is in its second year, with the first taking place in Dublin in 2016.

For anyone interested in finding out more about Amputee Football in Scotland see the website below

www.amputeefootballscotland.co.uk or the next training session is:

Petershill Sports Complex, Springburn
Sunday 30^th July
10-2pm.

Kelso Gliders have been crowned 2017 Borders Boccia League Champions following a dramatic final day at the Queens Centre Galashiels.

Contested over five successive days, five teams, Eyemouth Pirates, Hawick Hawks, Peebles Bears, Gala Gladiators and new addition Kelso Gliders took part in this year’s tournament with each fixture comprising of six single matches, three pairs and two triples games.

The final round, on Friday, proved to be the pinnacle day, as Peebles Bears and Kelso Gliders were the only two teams to have won three matches and after a count back on games points for, the Tweedsiders were proclaimed eventual winners with the Bears taking the well-deserved runner-up spot.

Alan Oliver, Disability Development Officer, Live Borders, said: “The playing standard of this year’s league has improved dramatically and the majority of the matches went to the wire.

“To create a league structure for the Borders Boccia Club members is an honour and testament to how well the sport has developed throughout the region in the past four years.

“It is also a further testament to how well the league format works and the success and self-development it brings to all players.

This is the second season of the Borders Boccia League, which is made up of teams within the Borders Boccia Club. The organisation of the league is conducted by Oliver and support is provided by the club’s committee, Scottish Borders LAC Team and local volunteers.

Oliver added: “The league again demonstrates the need for a competitive element, as it provides players in the Borders with the opportunity to compete as a team in a competitive environment, but more importantly it brought all players from the club to socialise.

“It is our ambition for our players to progress up the Boccia pathway and have the opportunity to be selected for regional and National squads, but also to encourage players to attend competitions further afield.”

Quite possibly the only Boccia league in Scotland, over 48 players ascended to the Queens centre for every league fixture to play multiple games against each area.

12-year-old Lauren Dempsey is a very determined and able young girl who loves all things sport.

She has a huge love of horses and horse riding, and when she was 6, Lauren started riding at RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Glasgow Group.  She rides every Saturday in a group session, and now riding without assistance, Lauren has in the last couple of years represented RDA Glasgow Group in dressage having won many rosettes and cups at West and Central Scotland regional level and at the Scottish Championships.  Notably, she has won the Scottish Championships twice in the past three years.

Horse riding is Lauren’s favourite sport, saying: “I love horses!  I enjoy the friendship I make and love competing in dressage competitions.  I also love the connection between horse and rider.”

Lauren’s favourite equestrian is Zara Tindall, the Queen’s granddaughter, and Lauren hopes to one day compete for GB also.

Horse riding has huge therapeutic benefits.  As a physical and active experience it helps improve co-ordination, muscle control and posture, mobility and balance.  As a fun activity it develops confidence, communication, social skills, self-esteem and concentration whilst providing the opportunity to get up close to horses and ponies.

In addition to horse riding, Lauren is extremely busy with other weekly activities, with judo being another of her favourites.

Lauren is also just back from the SDS Summer Camp in Inverclyde which she attended for the first time.  She hugely enjoyed her experience and made many new friends.

With Lauren’s energy, enthusiasm and determination she is definitely a name to look out for in the future.