Month: February 2017

7s League

Lochgelly HS in Top Form at Fife 7s Football

With support from the Scottish FA, the Fife Referees Association and Kirkcaldy HS, Disability Sport Fife (DSF) organised round 2 of the DSF 7s Football League on Wednesday 22nd February. Apart from the glory of winning the Fife senior and junior titles, schools were challenging for the honour of representing Fife at the Scottish 7s League Championships to be held later in the year in the West of Scotland.

The two most improved schools of the year to date are Madras College and Lochgelly HS. Madras College got off to their best start ever with a first time victory over current champions Balwearie HS in the S3-S6 competition. Lochgelly HS senior team however finished the day in the senior competition with a win against Madras College and a 1-1 draw with Balwearie HS to top the table. Shakeel Ul Haq from Lochgelly HS was top scorer with 3 goals.

Lochgelly HS and Madras College contested the S1/S2 junior league with Lochgelly HS ending the round undefeated. Airen Foley and Brodie Adam were added to the Lochgelly HS squad for round two with great effect. The former scored 9 goals and the latter 4 goals in two of the best performances to date by players in the junior league.

The final round of the 7s League will be held on Wednesday 22nd March and the outcome of both senior and junior sections will be determined on that date. Balwearie HS and Lochgelly HS share the lead in the S3 – S6 section with 9 points each and Lochgelly HS lead the junior section comfortably with 11 points and Madras College lie second with 7 points.

Davie Honeyman and Lee Bailey from the Scottish FA Active Fife team presented new footballs to the participating schools. DSF has recently circulated registration forms to all eligible Fife schools for the 2017 DSF/Active Fife Performance Football Academy programme. This involves Scottish FA coaches going into schools for pupils with additional support needs after Easter and providing coaching. In addition the partnership will be offering walking football and coach education opportunities throughout the remainder of 2017.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Kieran Steer and guest at the awards

Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council Awards

Disability Sport Fife (DSF) was well represented across the various awards categories at the 2017 Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council Annual Awards presented at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline on Wednesday 22nd February.

Councillor Helen Law of Fife Council welcomed athletes, guests and sponsors and the Provost of Fife, Councillor Jim Leishman MBE offered the vote of thanks. Lindsay Weir and Douglas Scott led the proceedings and attendees were enthusiastically entertained by the pupils from Milesmark Primary School early on in the evening.

The President and Chairman of Disability Sport Fife were invited as guests, with the former accepting the Sports Person of the Year Award on behalf of GB Paralympian Alison Patrick from Dunfermline. Richard offered the audience an insight into Alison’s magnificent year past and described some of the challenges faced by the British, European and World champion and her guide Hazel Smith on their way to winning silver at the Games in Rio last September.  Chairman Paul held the coveted trophy and posed with the Award sponsor Ken Richards from SignPlus. Previous winners were Paralympians William McQueen 1991 and Andrew Lindsay in 1994. West Fife greats such as Lindsay MacDonald (3 wins), Eilidh Child (6 wins) and Russell Hogg 1992 are proudly identified as winners of the premier award of the evening.

The East Kilbride Sports Council Award, supported by Disability Sport Fife is awarded to the Disabled Athlete of the Year. Previous winners include Owen Miller (2010), Maria Spencer (2013), Alison Patrick (2015), Craig Rodgie (4wins) and Kieran Steer (2014). Between 1998 and 2006 Andrew Lindsay and Rebecca Lee shared the honours. The 2016 winner was Kieran Steer with runners up awards being presented to Owen Miller, Ollie Carter, Billy Allan, Barbara McMillan and Alan Reynolds.

Sarah Jane Ewing was nominated by Disability Sport Fife for the Coach of the Year Award sponsored by TimberShack but lost out narrowly to Morag Mitchell, head coach at Carnegie Swimming Club. Maria Spencer also collected a runners up trophy in the Centenary Masters Award category sponsored by the Dunfermline Carnegie Trust. Cara Smyth similarly collected a runners up award in Young Spors Person of the Year Category sponsored by Redmayne Bentley Stockbrokers.

Well done Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council. Once again you have organised a magnificent inclusive Awards Evening.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Group photo of course participants

Another Successful DIT Workshop in Fife

Evening two of the 2017 Fife Disability Inclusion Training (DIT) Workshop was successfully concluded at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes. Set up by the Physical Education Lead officer Blair Duncan, in conjunction with Scottish Disability Sport and Disability Sport Fife (DSF), the workshop has become a popular annual feature of the Education Services INSET calendar. SDS tutors Heather Lowden and Richard Brickley led the two twilight sessions of interactive theory and practice and introduced the delegates to a wide range of subject matter relating to disability sport and inclusive practice.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife

Eva Finlayson

Forth Valley Disability Sport GOGA launch

Forth Valley Disability Sport successfully launched their Get Out Get Active (GOGA) project ‘Lady GOGA’ at the Branch AGM and Awards Ceremony on Monday 20 February 2017. The event was hugely successful with over 100 attendees ranging from Provosts to coaches, volunteers, athletes, families and the vast number of partners/sponsors FVDS work with.

Forth Valley Disability Sport project ‘Lady GOGA’ main aim is to significantly increase female participation in disability sport and physical activity across the Forth Valley area. FVDS will work with many of their key partners during this three year project, including Blazing Saddles, Paths For All and Scottish Swimming to deliver the outcomes. For more information on the FVDS ‘Lady GOGA’ project watch the video below.

GOGA is an exciting new UK programme funded by Spirit of 2012 with three Scottish localities, Grampian, Fife and Forth Valley, taking part. More information on GOGA can be found in the launch booklet here.

East of Scotland Para Bowls Development Day

East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club provided the ideal location for the recent East Para Bowls Development Day, inviting individuals to come along and try the sport of bowls under the expert eye of a number of experienced coaches.

The development day took place on Sunday 12th of February, aiming to promote disability bowls in the East of Scotland area and provide an environment where beginners could gain experience of the sport while more advanced players could benefit from the expertise from coaches present and keen to impart their knowledge.  The session welcomed fifteen bowlers to East Lothian with many of that number coming from a mainstream club background, highlighting the number of players with an impairment who are actively participating in the sport.

The day was coordinated and delivered in partnership between East Lothian Indoor Bowling Club (ELIBC), Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and Lothian Disability Sport (LDS), looking to increase the awareness of opportunities in disability bowls and ignite a longer term objective – establishing a regular ‘HUB’ session, providing the platform for players from Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders with an impairment to progress and develop within the sport.  SDS will aim to support players from grassroots participation right through to a performance level, should they display the talent and desire to do so.

ELIBC have recently received Direct Club Investment from sportscotland, a support package which will aim to help and develop the club through increased membership, youth engagement, player retention and of course increased participation in disability bowls.  LDS were also in a position to provide funding to support this Direct Club Investment, resulting in the creation of a Development Coordinator position which was filled by renowned East Lothian based bowler Billy Mellors.  Billy has been instrumental in the work done thus far and will be a key figure in developing disability bowls in the East region moving forward – Billy highlighted ‘We are delighted that so many participants attended the session and encouraged that a genuine spread of experienced bowlers and new starters took part which is exactly the purpose of the Hub. Our coaches excelled on the day and look forward to the programme that will be scheduled soon.

Inclusive Bowls Performance Development Manager for Scottish Disability Sport, Ron McArthur was also present on the day to provide his experience in the world of Para bowls and provided disability specific training to ten coaches from the East and Midlothian in the lead up to the event to ensure they were comfortable and confident to work with a range of players with varying disabilities including visual impairment, cerebral palsy and learning disability.  Ron added that ‘Bowls is a total inclusion sport open to everyone regardless of disability, ability or age.  Whether you want to you play fun games or go onto International Level, Billy and his coaches will guide you on a pathway that will best suit your needs and help you achieve your full potential.  Play well and enjoy’.

If you are keen to attend the new HUB session or looking for further information relating to disability bowls in the East of Scotland, please get in touch with Neal Herbert (Regional Manager, SDS) on neal.herbert@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 625 4414 or Billy Mellors (ELIBC Development Coordinator) on development@bowlseastlothian.uk or 07930 716073.

Deaf swimmers in the pool

Deaf Friendly Swimming – Highland

Does your child want to improve their swimming skills and make new friends?

The National Deaf Children’s Society, in partnership with Highlife Highland are holding a Deaf-Friendly Swimming lessons for deaf children and young people in two Highland locations!

Dingwall Leisure Centre
Tulloch Avenue IV15 9LH
Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February – 3 days of intensive lessons during half term

  • Beginners 3 – 5yrs – 9:00am – 9:30am
  • Beginners 5yrs + – 9:00am or 9:30am
  • Improvers – 9:30am – 10am

Invergordon Leisure Centre
Academy Road, IV18 0LB
Monday 17 April to Friday 21 April – 5 days of intensive lessons; Easter Holidays

  • Beginners 3 – 5yrs – 9:00am – 9:30am
  • Beginners 5yrs + – 9:00am or 9:30am
  • Improvers – 9:30am – 10:00am

 FREE

Young people of all abilities are invited to take part in fun activities and learn new skills, delivered by fully qualified, deaf aware swimming teachers.

To book please contact:

Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer on 0141 354 7860 or email eleanor.connelly@ndcs.org.uk  with child’s details and preferred lesson time.

Spaces are limited so please book early.

Gordon Reid with trophy

Reid Wins Second World Singles Title in Rotterdam 

Gordon Reid clinched his first singles title of 2017 on Saturday after securing his second successive ABN AMRO World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament crown in Rotterdam with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Nicolas Peifer of France.

World No.3 Reid secured early breaks in both sets of the ITF 1 Series final and took the last three games of the opening set, serving out the with a forehand down the line. He took a commanding 4-0 lead in the second set and a Peifer double fault set up match point, with the Frenchman knocking a forehand into the net to give 2016 ITF World Champion Reid the victory and the latest title for a Brit on the Tennis Foundation’s Wheelchair Tennis World Class Programme.

“I’m very pleased with how this week went for me in Rotterdam. Not just the results, but more importantly the performances were massively improved from how I started the year in Australia,” said Reid, who completed the Rotterdam event having beaten Australian Open champion Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina in the semi-finals and Australian Open runner-up Peifer in the final.

Paralympic gold medallist Reid began his singles title defence in Rotterdam with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over fellow Brit Alfie Hewett in another rematch of their Rio 2016 men’s singles final. Hewett was also a finalist in the men’s doubles in Rotterdam, partnering Fernandez.

“It’s always a big opportunity to play alongside and ATP event, so I’m happy to have showcased some of my best tennis on the way to defending my title here. I’m looking forward to a good lengthy training block at home now before getting back to competing in April,” added Reid.

Image courtesy of Hannie Verhoeven

West Swimming Championships Success

West Regional Swimming Championships Success

This year the West Regional Swimming Championships, organised by the West Federation of swimming Clubs, was held at the Citadel Pool in Ayr.  This was the first time in many years that a major Disability Championships had taken place at the Citadel, and staff were delighted to welcome swimmers and their clubs from all over the West of Scotland.

An enormous entry of 199 swimmers, competing in 112 events meant the organisers had a huge task on their hands, but with experienced staff, officials and volunteers on poolside, the Championships ran smoothly and finished within the allotted time.

After some fantastic performances throughout the day, points were counted and the winning team was announced as…..Annan & Eskdale! Congratulations to their swimmers and coaches!

The Federation were delighted to welcome their guests of honour, Colin & Carolyn Macdonald, in recognition and thanks for their commitment and support to Disability swimming.  Colin and Carolyn presented medals throughout the day and seemed to enjoy their new role!

The event was a massive success and from this, the West of Scotland Teams will be selected for the SDS National Senior Swimming Championships in April and May this year.

Thanks to staff at the Citadel Pool, West District Swimming Officials, support staff and volunteers, swimmer and coaches for ensuring the smooth running of the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne McGrath in racing wheelchair

Inspirational Fife Wheelchair Racer

Susanne McGrath from Glenrothes has only been wheelchair racing for a couple of years but in that time she has made a very positive impression on Disability Sport Fife (DSF) coaches and fellow athletes. With incredible support from her father Eddie in particular, Susanne has demonstrated regular commitment to training and continuous improvement in her performance.

In 2015 Susanne turned in a few impressive pushes in track racing meets but it was last year that she joined the small band of GB female wheelchair athletes who have completed a marathon. The occasion was the Edinburgh Marathon in May and she completed the course in 3:58:14. Susanne also competed in the 2016 Great Scottish Run. Susanne however is confident that she can improve her 2016 times and she is preparing accordingly.

Susanne will head to the scottishathletics wheelchair racing workshop on Saturday 11th Feb at Grangemouth to pick up some tips from Great Britain’s leading wheelchair racing coaches and fellow athletes. This will supplement the excellent advice she already receives weekly from DSF lead coach Pamela Robson who will also be in attendance with other Fife athletes and coaches.

Susanne came into wheelchair racing late in her career with the aim of completing a marathon before she turned a certain age. Wheelchair racing means much more to her now and this inspirational mum of two has set a challenging schedule for 2017. In addition to her track racing, Susanne plans to compete once again in the Edinburgh Marathon in May and the Dublin Marathon for the first time in October. Father Eddie will never be too far away and trying of course to improve his own marathon and half marathon times.

Richard Brickley MBE
President, Disability Sport Fife