The UK School Games took place from Thursday 1st September – Sunday 4th September at Loughborough University in England.
The West of Scotland had a huge representation in the team and this is credit to the many coaches and volunteers who are making such a difference to the progress of the up and coming athletes in the West.
All but one of the Athletics team were from clubs in the West and the athletes competed very well across the board.
Nathan Fleetwood from Whitemoss AC, secured gold in the 100m in a time of 11.70, and bronze in the long jump, with a distance of 4.32m.
The wheelchair racers were also in top form as Luke Deighan from Red Star AC, finished with a bronze in the 100m in a personal best time of 17.35s. Multi record holder, Shelby Watson, Nithsdale, finished with two golds in the 100m and 800m in 21.52s and 2.40.30m respectively. Red Star’s Kyle Brotherton finished 4th in the 800m with a time of 2.17.83m.
Ross Paterson, Red Star AC, finished a credible fourth in both the 200m, 26.37 and the 400m, 59.27.
Margaret Newell, Law & District, jumped 3.45m to secure a bronze medal in the long jump and held her nerve in the 400m to finish in bronze medal position in a time of 73.42s.
Connaire McAlindon, Red Star AC, won a silver medal in the Shot Putt, 8.63m and had a fourth place finish in the Discus with a throw of 19.54m.
[masterslider alias=”ms-3-1″]
60% of the Scotland Wheelchair Basketball team were players from the West of Scotland: David Beattie, James Beattie, David Hird, Craig Brown and Tom McCaffrey. All played a part in gaining Scotland a 5th place finish after some hard fought battles with their English and Welsh rivals. There was some very exciting play from the Scottish team, in which they displayed great team spirit and resilience.
Wheelchair Tennis has grown in the West of Scotland due to the support from Glasgow Disability Tennis, the Tennis Foundation and Tennisscotland. Three out of the four Scottish players competing this year were from the West and for two, it was their first experience of the games.
Ellie Robertson and Jade McGoldrick played well in both their singles and doubles games, and gained some valuable experience from their first appearance at the Games. Leo McLeod from Glasgow competed well in the singles and with doubles partner Ruairi Logan from Edinburgh, won silver in the boys doubles competition.
In Table Tennis, Andrew Berry, Declan Tobin and David Morrison represented Scotland both in singles and in the Team competition. Both Andrew and Declan were up against some tough competition from the English regions and displayed some promise in their group matches.
David Morrison progressed well in the group stages and reached the semi-finals, where he eventually came away with a bronze medal. In the team competition the boys were placed 6th. Much credit goes to Drumchapel TT Club and Joe Wilson TT club, where the boys are coached.
The swimming event is based on the British Disability Points system. West representatives Adam Donnachie, Kyle Hughes and Lewis Beagrie all performed well against strong opposition.
Adam, East Kilbride SC, finished with two 5th place and one 6th place in the 100m Breaststroke, 1.53.98m, 100m Backstroke, 1.29.58, and 100m Freestyle, 1.15.87 events, while Kyle placed 4th in the 50m Freestyle event in a time of 30.91s.
Lewis placed 5th and 7th in the 200m IM, 2.50.62 and 100m Butterfly, 1.31.39,events.
A huge thanks to all the coaches and support staff who supported the athletes, and the parents who made their way from Scotland to cheer the team on.