The seventh year of the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) 7s Football League for players with additional support needs has come to an end with Balwearie HS players winning the S3-S6 competition for the fifth year in succession and Lochgelly HS players winning the junior section (S1/S2) for the first time outright. In 2016 the junior title was shared between Lochgelly HS and Balwearie HS. Balwearie HS and Lochgelly HS seniors will be invited to represent Fife at the Scottish 7s Finals organised by the Scottish FA and Scottish Disability Sport.
The 2017 senior final was the most closely contested to date with only one goal separating Balwearie HS and Lochgelly HS in the deciding match of Series 3 of the 7s League. Balwearie HS finished with 15 points and Lochgelly HS 13 points. It could not have been closer. Madras College made impressive strides forward this year and finished in third place. Shakeel Ul Haq (Lochgelly HS) finished as top scorer with 9 goals and Alex Evans (Balwearie HS) second with 5 goals.
The 2017 junior League was even closer and yet again the players from Madras College in St Andrews had their most successful season to date. In Series 1 Madras College and Lochgelly HS finished with 5 points each. In Series 2 Balwearie HS were absent and Lochgelly HS took full advantage with two wins over Madras College. Series 3 belonged totally to Madras College with wins over leaders Lochgelly HS (1-0) and Balwearie HS (2-0). However maximum points were not enough in Series 3 for Madras College as they lost out 13-14 to Lochgelly HS who won the junior title on their own for the first time. Brodie Adam from Lochgelly HS was top scorer with 9 goals and Callum Nicoll Madras College runner up with 7 goals.
DSF is indebted to the Scottish FA for financially supporting the 7s League since its inception and for providing medals and trophies. DSF is also grateful to Derek Lowe, Andrew McGachan, Alistair Watt, Terry Ormiston and Lee Pirie of the Fife Referees Association for officiating at all League matches. The Rector, staff and pupils of Kirkcaldy HS for the seventh year in succession provided facilities for the Fife 7s League and the Scottish FA Football Development Officers within Active Fife were always available to offer support, advice and encouragement. DSF and the Scottish FA Football Development Officers in Fife now move forward for the second year with the Fife Performance Football Academy that offers quality coaching to players with additional support needs in Fife.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife