Month: December 2018

Unique Achievement by Fife Bowler

Congratulations to Julie Allen from Leven and East Fife Community Support Services who recently received two trophies at the Windygates Bowling Club annual awards evening.

The first trophy awarded to Julie was the Anderson Trophy as the Ladies single hand champion. In addition to being the first Disability Sport Fife (DSF) member to win a club singles title, Julie has earned the right to represent Windygates BC at the Bowls Scotland National Championships in Ayr in the summer.

Julie partnered Windygates BC President Ian Moreland to the mixed pairs title and on awards night collected her second major club trophy. What a remarkable achievement by one of the most popular DSF lady members and a regular member of Team Fife at the Scottish Disability Sport National Lawn Bowls Championships, National Carpet Bowls Championships, Scottish Indoor Championships and Scottish Inter Area Championships. Julie is a past Fife indoor and outdoor champion.

Julie has been a member of Windygates BC for some time along with Gary Lindsay, Wayne Moreland, Willie Christie and Craig Bernard. As well as being a very competent player she has been an inspiration to others. East Fife CSS has one of the most well developed bowls programmes for players with additional support needs and key to that success has been the role played by the very inclusive Windygates BC.

In the photograph with Julie is retired East Fife CSS staff member John Collins. John is the Team Fife team manager and during his time with Fife Council played a key coaching role in Julie’s development as an outdoor, indoor and carpet bowler.

Congratulations to Julie on achieving something very special in the development of inclusive bowls in Fife and thank you to the members of Windygates BC for encouraging, supporting and inspiring bowlers with disabilities to reach the very highest levels in their sport.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Boccia UK seeking Chair

The United Kingdom Boccia Federation (Boccia UK) is the National Governing Body for the Paralympic sport of boccia in the UK. It is a federation comprising the four sports organisations responsible for the development of boccia in each of the home nations, namely Boccia England, Disability Sport NI, Disability Sport Wales and Scottish Disability Sport.

Boccia UK is responsible for the identification, development and preparation of the UK’s most talented players, with a particular focus on supporting athletes to achieve their potential at the highest level of Paralympic sport. This principally involves running the World Class Programme (WCP), funded by UK Sport. In addition the organisation facilitates home nation collaboration around the development of the UK wide performance pathway.

Building on our success at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and more recently at BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships in Liverpool, Boccia UK is currently looking to recruit a suitably qualified Chair to lead Boccia UK to further success at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and beyond.

For full information see the Recruitment Pack below:

Boccia Recruitment Pack Chair at 11. 12.2018

Inclusive Bowls Workshop – Borders

Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group (SBDSG) are working in partnership with Live Borders, Scottish Disability Sport and Bowls Scotland to deliver an exciting opportunity for coaches / volunteers who are interested in working with players with a disability in the sport bowls.

The sport continues to develop across the Scottish Borders and the course will provide the opportunity for coaches and volunteers to increase skills and confidence when working with individuals with a physical, learning or visual impairment. No previous experience in working in Para Bowls is required, however a willingness and enthusiasm to learn new skills is a great start.

The course will look into effective communication, adapted equipment and how to tailor sessions to meet the specific requirements of the individual and will be delivered by Scottish Disability Sport Inclusion Bowls Performance & Development Manager Ron McArthur.

The details of the course can be found below –

Date: Sunday 17th February 2019

Time: 11am – 3pm

Venue: Tweedbank Indoor Bowling Centre, Tweedbank Industrial Estate, Galashiels, TD1 3RS

Cost: Free of charge

If you are interested in hearing more about this opportunity or looking to register for the workshop, please contact Scottish Disability Sport on admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 0131 317 1130.

Bowls Inclusion Workshop – Tweedbank

Action for Change at Auchmuty HS

As part of a GOGA in Fife Action for Change initiative, some S1 pupils at Auchmuty HS have recently completed their first Walk in the Park and are proudly displaying their walk completion certificates. Walking is one of three core active recreation activities being promoted by GOGA in Fife in partnership with member organisations, Paths for All and Bums Off Seats. Training walks and further Walks in the park are now planned in school or as part of the Disability Sport Fife events programme.

The Action for Change initiative involves GOGA in Fife personnel working with DSF member organisations and others to introduce inclusive active recreation activities to children, young people and adults with additional support needs. Projects to date have involved the introduction of carpet bowls, promotion of adapted cycling and the establishment of a regular programme of indoor activities to adults with severe and complex needs. Key to all the initiatives to date has been the successful cooperative working between staff, volunteers and participants.

Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife

Glasgow Celebrates Success

The Sports Council for Glasgow held its annual Sports Awards at the stunning City Chambers in the city on Friday 23rd November.

The beautiful setting was befitting of the number of athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials who have given their all in sport this past year.

After a fantastic year, Para Sport was well represented on the evening, with a number of coaches and athletes nominated in various categories.

Red Star Athletics Club had three of their club nominated after a massive year in competition for both coaches and athletes.

Ross Paterson and Connaire McLindon both represented Scotland in Spain at the CPISRA World Games and Ross pulled on his first British Vest in Berlin, winning silver in the 400m at the IPC European Athletics Championships. Janice Eaglesham coached three medal winners in the Race Running events in Berlin, the first time the discipline has been realised at this level.

The winner and runners up are listed below:

Senior Disability Athlete Achievement
Winner – Chris Murphy, Judo
Runner up – Ross Paterson, Athletics

Junior Disability Athlete Achievement
Winner – Dean Barnard, Badminton

Disability Coach of the Year
Winner – Barry MacFarlane, Basketball
Runner Up – Liz Boyd, Bowls

Individual International Achievement
Runner Up – Connaire Mclindon, Athletics

High Performance Coach of the Year
Winner – Janice Eaglesham MBE, Athletics

Dean Barnard joined the Firhill Badminton Club in Glasgow last September and has also been an active member of Glasgow Disability Badminton Club which meets at Haghill. He competed in the Four Nations Competition in Scotland, winning Gold Medals in both the Mens Singles and Doubles. Dean was also part of the Special Olympics Scotland West Team taking part in the 40th Anniversary Games in Stirling this August, finishing 4th in the singles and winning silver in the mens doubles.

Chris Murphy won multiple Gold medals over the past year, including in the EJU ID European Judo Championships, German ID Judo Open Championships and IJF ID World Judo Championships. A worthy winner of the senior award.

Barry McFarlane, coach at Glasgow Eagles Basketball Club has been a mentor and coach to the teams at his club and has made a huge impact in basketball for people with learning disabilities in Glasgow, and Liz Boyd has led her team of bowlers with a learning disability in many training sessions and competitions this year, including the SDS National Carpet Bowls, the SDS National Lawn Bowls and the Inter Regional Bowls competition in Glasgow.

Stirling Deaf-Friendly Swimming Lessons

Active Stirling in partnership with The National Deaf Children’s Society are holding deaf-friendly swimming lessons for deaf children and young people in Stirlingshire.

The activities are suitable for all abilities from complete beginners to confident swimmers.

You will take part in fun activities and learn new skills, delivered by fully qualified swimming teachers trained by us in deaf awareness.

When and Where
Wallace High School Swimming Pool, Airthrey Road, Stirling FK9 5HW, every Saturday – starting 19th January 2019
Beginners & Improvers 12.25pm – 12.55pm
£25 for 1st block – 10 lessons, £17 a month after 1st block
Age 5 +

Bookings: 01786 273 555 (option 2 then 1) / bookings@activestirling.org.uk

Further info: Eleanor Connelly on swimming@ndcs.org.uk / 0141 354 7850
www.ndcs.org.uk/swimming

Wallace High DF Lessons Poster

SDS Boccia Open Championships (Non-Bisfed) 2018

Saturday 26th October 2018 – [EN]GAGE Sports Centre, Napier University, Edinburgh 

Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) were supported by local branch, Lothian Disability Sport (LDS) to deliver the annual Scottish Boccia Open Championships for players out with the bisfed classification, attracting around over 70 players to Edinburgh. This is a fantastic number and is the highest amount of entrants since the competition structure changed in 2014.  

The event saw players from across Scotland, as well as entrants from England and Northern Ireland, compete in sections for players with a physical disability (Class A), players with a learning disability (class B, male and female) and a Junior section. The large entry allowed for some excellent competition throughout the day in all sections, providing players the opportunity to test themselves against players across the UK – some renewing old rivalries and some experiencing the competitive stage for the first time.   

This competitive element was particularly evident in class B as numbers allowed for four groups in both male and female categories, meaning that the group winner only would qualify for the semi final stage.  Dundee’s Sarah Bichard ended Lothian’s traditional dominance of this section with victory over Natalie Newby with Sarah’s clubmate Rebekah Perry claiming the bronze.  

The male section witnessed some excellent boccia played with Hayden Keir from Dumfries & Galloway declared the champion following victory over Kirkrigg’s Calum Thomson in the final. James Muirhead (also from Kirkriggs) completed the podium positions. It is fantastic to see the players who have typically played in the junior section progressing to medal positions in the senior section, proving that there is very strong players competing around the country ready to make the next step.  

Class A provided a slightly more UK-wide feel as entrants from England and Northern Ireland supplemented the entry from across Scotland.  Multiple-winner Derek Sked (England) replicated the form he’s shown in the past three years to make it all the way to the final – but only by winning a tie-break against Lothian’s Jim Anderson in a closely contested semi-final. Lothian’s Heather Nicolson beat West of Scotland’s Fiona Muirhead in the other semi-final.  

Heather Nicolson had her maiden victory at these championships and returned the title to Scotland by defeating Derek Sked in the final on yet another tie-break. Fiona Muirhead claimed victory over Jim Anderson to secure the bronze medal.  

A strong junior category resulted in Kirkrigg’s Michael Gilhooly winning gold by defeating Dundee’s Cameron Millar in the final. Forth Valley’s Ryan Flynn won the bronze by winning the play-off against Dumfries & Galloway’s Stephen Hoyle.  

The championships were supported superbly by the staff at [EN]GAGE who provided an excellent environment for players to express themselves on the court.  Thanks is also extended to the dedicated and knowledgeable band of officials who allowed the day to run smoothly from start to finish alongside Jack Brodie from Lothian Disability Sport.  Lastly, the clubs, coaches and players continue to support the event in their numbers and continue to produce the performances that seem to make the event a greater success each year. 

North Ayrshire Active Schools ASN Festival

North Ayrshire Active Schools hosted an ASN festival for all school across North Ayrshire. 7 schools were in attendance.

The Festival took place at The Portal on Wednesday 14th November 2018, 10-2pm.

We worked in partnership with Ayrshire College classes –  HNC Health fitness & exercise and Sports Coaching Development. The college pupils received a 1 hour planning workshop from Lauren Fletcher, Active Schools Co-ordinator and delivered each sport station. We also worked in partnership with KA leisure, sporting pathways, SDS & Ayrshire Sport Ability.

The festival was offered to all ASN schools and ASN pupils within mainstream schools. There was a morning slot for primary aged pupils
(10-11:45am) with a total of 39 pupils attending and an afternoon slot for secondary pupils (12:15-2pm) with a total of 24 pupils attending.

There was 6 stations for pupils for all abilities to participate in – Football, Boccia, Athletics, Basketball, Target Sports & Badminton. All stations were ran by college students, KA staff and Sporting Pathways basketball coach.

All pupils received a participation certificate and all pupils along with staff loved the event and can’t wait till the next festival which will be held on Wednesday 23rd January 2018 10-2pm at The Portal, Irvine.

East Swimmers Break Records at Short Course Champs

Stephen Clegg and Scott Quin both broke three records each at the weekend’s Scottish Short Course Championships held at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh (7th – 9th January 2018).

Clegg, representing Sunderland ASC, was in sparkling form over the three days of competition and claimed two World Records (S12 50m Backstroke and S12 50m Butterfly) and one British best (S12 50m Freestyle). A former Lothian Racers and East Lothian Swim team athlete, Clegg has been with Sunderland ASC for around 12 months since his move down south and seems to be reaping the rewards, recording personal bests over several events. Clegg, who has a visual impairment, will now be turning his attention to the trials for the IPC World Championships in 2019.

Midlothian swimmer Scott Quin continued his tremendous form, claiming World Records in the SB14 100m and SB14 200m Breaststroke and one Scottish record in the SB14 50m Breaststroke. This supplemented his World Record at last weekend’s National Para Swimming Championships in Manchester – the former Lothian Racers man recording a WR in SB14 100m Breaststroke (long course). Like Clegg, Quin will now be focusing his efforts towards the trials in April for the IPC World Championships and seems to be happy with his current form and the work that is being done in the pool under coach Kostas Kalitsis at Warrender Baths Club.

Results and times for Clegg and Quin can be found below –

Stephen Clegg
S12 50m freestyle
BRITISH RECORD S12 50m Freestyle – 24.37 (Friday 7th December)
WORLD RECORD S12 50m Backstroke – 27.28 (Saturday 8th December)
WORLD RECORD S12 50m Butterly – 25.30 (Sunday 9th December)

Scott Quin
SCOTTISH RECORD SB14 50m Breaststroke – 29.89 (Friday 7th December)
WORLD RECORD SB14 100m breaststroke – 1:04.67 (Saturday 8th December)
WORLD RECORD SB14 200m breaststroke – 2:19.66 (Sunday 9th December)

NDCS Family Pool Party

Together with Grampian Deaf Children’s Society we are holding a Family Pool Party! Banish those January Blues and make a splash with us and the rest of your family!

When and Where

Portlethen Swimming Pool, Aberdeenshire. AB12 4UR
Saturday 26 January, 3:30pm – 5:30pm

FREE

Bring the whole family… hearing siblings welcome, along with Grannies and Grandpa’s or Aunties and Uncles! However you must abide by Aberdeenshire’s Admission Policy and Adult/child Ratios.

Find out more and book your place:
To book online or for FAQ’s and Ratio’s please see our eventbrite page: https://ndcspoolpartyjan2019.eventbrite.co.uk

For further information please contact:
Eleanor Connelly, Swimming Development Officer: swimming@ndcs.org.uk or 0141 354 7860