2019 Disability Sport Fife AGM and Awards

The 42nd Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) AGM and Awards presentations were held at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre on Monday 29th April. Over 80 athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and others attended.

The business of the AGM was led by Paul Noble MBE and the review of the year and presentation of awards coordinated by Richard Brickley MBE.

There were 25 award categories and 33 awards presented by Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, and Emma Thomas-Hancock, Director of Delivery at Volunteering Matters, plus Fife Paralympians.

Julie Hogg from Dunfermline received the Eddie Campbell Coach of the Year award for her commitment to the development of badminton for players with additional support needs in schools and in the community. Julie has inspired and developed the skills and abilities of learners in the west of Fife in particular.

Gayle Sloan from Dunfermline received the Ann Swann Emerging Coach of the Year award for her commitment to DSF weekly sessions in central and west Fife. Gayle is a Scottish Athletics Level 2 coach and has contributed significantly to the growth in interest in track and field across Fife in the past five years.

Kay Maxwell from Dunfermline received the Adam Morley Special Recognition Award for her commitment to swimming teaching and coaching at Carnegie Leisure Centre and for her regular support of Fife swim teams at national championships. Kay is standing down this year from her weekly coaching session after over 10 years of commitment to DSF learners.

Presenting the coaching awards are Gavin and Paralympian Craig Rodgie.

Carolyn Clunie from East Fife Community Support Services was awarded the ambassador of the year trophy for her commitment over many years to encouraging and supporting service users to become involved in active recreation and sport. Carolyn is a Charity Trustee of the new DSF (SCIO) and has been the team manager of the Fife Track and Field squad that has performed so well over so many years at the SDS Track and Field Championships at Grangemouth Stadium.

Carolyn is flanked by GB Paralympian Iain Matthew and Emma.

Pamela Robson from Burntisland and Balwearie HS was presented with the GOGA in Fife volunteer of the year award for her services to the Get Out Get Active programme in Fife supported by Spirit of 2012. Pamela is involved in many areas of a programme that attempts to encourage inactive individuals with additional support needs to become involved in active recreation inclusively.

Fife AC President Lesley Thirkell and Fife AC coach Ron Morrison were presented with the Olympiad Trophy as DSF member organisation of the year. DSF enjoys a very special relationship with the club. As well as supporting individual DSF athlete members, Fife AC volunteers are heavily involved in the delivery of the DSF cross country and track and field programmes.

In the photo Gavin is flanked by Lesley and Ron.

The Aileen Harper Trophy is presented to the Junior Sports Person of the year. Aileen was an exceptional Paralympian excelling in archery, track and field, wheelchair slalom and wheelchair dancing. This year’s outstanding junior is Connor Brown from Woodmill HS who excelled in the year past in cross country, karate, judo, football, swimming and rugby to name but a few of his sports.

Leo Cord from Balwearie HS was awarded to Penman family trophy as the top footballer of the year. Leo was top scorer in the 2019 DSF 7s tournament held at Kirkcaldy HS and led the Balwearie HS team from the front.

Junior Endeavour awards were presented to fours rising stars in junior sports and they are: Finlay Davidson (athletics and badminton); Skye Davidson (athletics, badminton and equestrian sports); Katie Pake (swimming); Calum Robertson (athletics, cross country and swimming).

Presenting the awards are Gavin, Emma plus Paralympians Iain Matthew and Paul Johnston.

Richard Brickley MBE – Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees