It has been a very busy first half of 2017 for the SDS Events Calendar. It started with a brand new event for SDS, with the inaugural SDS Disability Badminton Championships, run in partnership with Lothian Disability Badminton Club, which saw excellent entry numbers and a high standard of play throughout.
February saw the National Carpet Bowls Championships held, once again, in Dundee. An excellent days bowling saw Team Highland win their first trophy in almost two decades. Our thanks to Dundee City Disability Sport and Leisure & Culture Dundee for their continued commitment to the event. The competition pathways in bowls have been strengthened by the continuation of the SDS National Indoor Singles Championships, in partnership with SIBA and sponsored by Co-op Funeralcare.
The competition opportunities for boccia have strengthened considerably with a comprehensive calendar of local and regional events in place now which serves to ensure a stronger representation at the national events. SDS are to host a three-day Scottish Open event at Inverclyde in October. This event will feature competitors from all over the world competing in individuals, pairs and teams format and is the first of its kind in Scotland.
Our partnerships with Scottish Athletics and the Scottish Football Association continue to flourish with significant numbers attending the national competitions.
SDS were grateful to everyone involved in securing a replacement venue in Inverness for the National Senior Swim Championships at very short notice. It was an excellent occasion for all who competed and West of Scotland retained the Kintore Trophy despite admirable efforts from Tayside and the hosts Highland who finished second and third respectively. The event for swimmers with a physical/ sensory impairment was held earlier in the month at Grangemouth where West of Scotland were again successful in the overall team trophy. Some amazing performances were seen that day, not least Fife’s Oliver Carter becoming the first swimmer with a physical disability to swim under 1 minute for the 100m Freestyle at this event.
After a two-year hiatus at Badaguish, SDS return to the all-new Inverclyde Centre for the 2017 edition of its Summer Camp on 5-7 July.
There is much to look forward to in the remainder of 2017 and SDS thanks all participants, volunteers, officials and sponsors for their considerable input to the calendar so far.