After what has been an incredible year, winning double gold  in the 100m and 200m, and setting a new world record at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, Borders wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn has topped her year off with winning the prestigious Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Personality of the Year 2017.

Sammi is the first para athlete to win the award and after her achievements this year, deservedly so.

On a sparkling evening celebrating Scottish Sport, Sammi firstly picked up the Disability Sport Award, within a strong category alongside fellow athletes Martin Perry (Table Tennis) and Danni Joyce (Swimming).

Sammi was then nominated in the Scottish Personality of the Year category sponsored by sportscotland.  Here, she was up against a host of other of other Scottish sports stars and as she made her way to collect her award was greeted with a standing ovation and rapturous applause.

After receiving the award, Sammi said: “I was so stunned when my name was called.  It means so much to be the first para athlete to win the award.  I believe so strongly in para athletes getting the recognition they deserve.

“I’m really proud to hopefully start a long line of disabled athletes winning the main award.”

Although the sprints are Sammi’s strongest events, she has turned her sights towards the Commonwealth Games, where she hopes to represent Scotland in the marathon.

She has already completed the Chicago marathon this year and although her training regime is totally different, she is determined to pull on the Scotland vest at the Gold Coast in 2018.

“My 100m and 200m events aren’t included in the Commonwealth Games, so I’ve decided to switch to the marathon.  I’m determined to do my country proud.”

The top award is an amazing achievement for such a deserving athlete.  Congratulations Sammi!

One of Scotland’s leading bowls coaches has had his contribution to sport recognised with the Lifetime Achievement in Coaching Award from sportscotland.

Bob Dick, 79, from Cupar in Fife, has been awarded the accolade for his lifetime commitment and passion for coaching.

Bob is an advanced coach with over 30 years’ experience and has represented the country as a player on 22 occasions.  He has coached and team managed both mainstream and para bowls over the course of his career and has attended three Commonwealth Games. He led the Scotland Men’s Para Triples Team to the gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, whilst his visually impaired B2/B3 Mixed Pair won silver at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Commenting on his success, Bob said: “It was very early in the coaching scene that I became involved. I think when you start coaching, it’s to give something back to the game that you love.

“I was asked to manage the para-bowlers at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, 2002 – they won a gold medal in the physically disabled triples and in the mainstream pairs. I think two gold medals out of four was a really good achievement if I’m honest!

“It’s absolutely wonderful when you’re in a Commonwealth Games or international bowls with the para players – especially when your country does very well.

“There are always disappointments when you’re a coach, but there are also so many amazing moments.”

Robert’s involvement with disability bowls has been hailed as giving the sport discipline, credibility and status. Upon returning from the IBD World Championships in Australia in 2007 as Head Coach for Disability Bowls, Robert vowed to improve the quality and quantity of coaches training and attending major championships with the national team. With more and better qualified coaches working with the team in the run up to the 2011 World Championships in South Africa, the Scotland team came second in the world.

He was also part of the team at the 2015 World Championships in New Zealand that saw Scotland come second in the medal table, winning six gold medals and four bronze.

Currently, Bob is working with the team leading up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, where Scotland will be represented in the physically disabled Open Triple and the visually impaired Mixed pair.  A strong team of players has recently been selected and can look forward to the Games with optimism (https://www.scottishdisabilitysport.com/gold-coast-2018-para-bowls-squad-announced/)

Scottish Disability Sport Performance Manager Gary Fraser, said: “We nominated Robert for this award because of his dedication to the sport over a long period of time – we felt it was time for Robert to receive recognition for all his hard work.

“His longevity, attention to detail and commitment to the sport has earned him so much respect – especially his achievements both as a player and a coach.”

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “Every year across Scotland, thousands of dedicated sporting enthusiasts devote their time, knowledge and skills to help others achieve their sporting goals. Our Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards provide us with a chance to celebrate the great sporting achievements that are taking place every day and congratulate individuals on their commitment to Scottish sport.

“As one of Scotland’s most experienced and respected coaches, Robert is admired for his skill and knowledge. Not only does he bring out the best in his players, but it’s evident that he truly cares and is passionate about helping his teams succeed.

“As a champion of inclusion, Robert’s accolades are a testament to all his hard work.

“At sportscotland we are implementing a world-class sporting system at every level in Scotland and we can only do so with the support of the many dedicated coaches, officials and volunteers.

“I hope that many more people are inspired by our winners and recognise the opportunities that exist to get involved in sport at every level from volunteering at your local club or school to coaching or officiating on the world stage.”

The Scottish wheelchair curling team of John Doyle, Gregor Ewan, Angie Malone MBE, Robert McPherson, Aileen Neilson and Hugh Nibloe maintained a 100% record throughout the US Open International Wheelchair Bonspiel from 1st to 3rd December before taking on Canada’s Team Ideson in the final, beating them 6-5 to take the title in their final competitive outing before the ParalympicsGB wheelchair curling team is selected.

For the full story see the British Curling website here:
http://www.britishcurling.org.uk/news/4-dec-2017-wheelchair-curlers-beat-three-paralympic-rivals-on-way-to-us-open-win.asp

Fifteen year old sailor Rory McKinna, from Stewarton in Ayrshire, began racing the Hansa 303 two years ago in a dinghy borrowed from Clyde Cruising Club, who are based at Bardowie Loch. Following his first regatta in 2015 he got the bug!

Much success on the water swiftly followed as he won his first Scottish TT Hansa 303 Singles trophy in 2016, as well as being placed fourth at the Hansa Nationals.  He finished off the year being shortlisted for the RYA Scotland Young Sports Person of the Year and the Ayrshire Sportability Young Sportsperson of the Year.

The 2017 season soon arrived and the boat in which Rory predominantly sails was given World Class Status in a bid to reinstate sailing back into the 2024 Paralympics.   With this promotion, the opportunities increased and Rory has taken full advantage as he has travelled the length and breadth of the UK and Europe competing, obtaining the following results:

• Scottish TT 303 Singles Champion 2017
• Scottish Club Trophy Champion 2017
• UK Hansa 303 Singles Champion 2017
• RYA Multiclass Regatta 303 Singles Champion
• Silver Medal at the European Para Youth Games 2017, Genoa Italy
• Represented GB World Sailing Para Development Programme in Meze, France
• Member of the UK Hansa Race Team at the Hansa European Championships in Meze, France
• Winner of the Hansa Nationals Endeavour Trophy for the 2nd year

European Para Youth Games 2017

Rory’s commitment to sailing, with the support of his mum, Angela, is exemplary.  The 23 hour journey by car to the South of France in order to drop off a boat ahead of the European Para Youth Games 2017 encapsulates this sentiment!  The event would be held at the Yacht Club Meze, however, they had to make their way to Genoa, Italy (by train) to meet up with his Great Britain team mates, who would occupy two boats in the competition.

Rory McKinna    (Ayrshire)
Ryan Sallens       (Ayrshire)
Jenna Snedker  (Kent)
Adam Billany      (Durham)

On this occasion, Rory teamed up with Jenna Snedker, whilst fellow Ayrshire sailor partnered Adam Billany.  Following several days of intense training the GB team competed in the Championships, with Rory and Jenna finishing on the podium with a silver medal.  Ryan and Adam were placed fourth.

Directly following the European Youth Championships Rory attended the World Sailing Development Programme and he was the only GB sailor (and the only youth) in attendance. Ten sailors from Austria, Portugal, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey and Samoa, including, Olympic Gold medallist and the current Hansa Champion participated in the programme.  The young Scot learned a lot over five days of classroom and practical sessions.

Sailing: An accessible sport

The Hansa Access Dinghies are designed to be enjoyed by absolutely everybody and are extremely simple to sail.  They can be accessed by anyone, including those who may need a hoist to access.  Importantly they are designed not to capsize and the Hansa 303 can be sailed by one or two people, enabling all to gain confidence on the water.

Scotland has a number of these boats available and they can be accessed at venues such as, Bardowie Loch Glasgow, Clyde Muirshiel, Lochwinnoch and at the Galloway Activity Centre Castle Douglas.  These venues welcome anybody interested in having a go.

Scotland began its own Scottish TT racing series last year whereby points were awarded at several venues.   Despite nobody owning their own boat, everyone can participate.

For more information on accessible sailing please contact the RYA Scotland on 0131 317 7388 or admin@ryascotland.org.uk