A team of 10 boccia athletes and four competition partners have today been announced by the British Paralympic Association (BPA), for the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Scottish Disability Sport is absolutely delighted to have such a high representation within the team with six players and two ramp assistants.
The selected team also includes Ayrshire brothers, Jamie and Scott, who play together in the BC3 pair’s competition and against each other in the individual competition regularly on the international circuit. Linda McCowan, mother of the brothers, will take on the role of ramp assistant for Jamie, while Dad Gary is Scott’s ramp assistant, meaning the whole family will be in competition in Rio.
Speaking today, Jamie said: “I’m made up to be competing at my first Paralympic Games, it was a really special moment for the family to share when we heard the news. I’ve learnt a lot from Scott’s experience at London 2012, and it will help form part of my preparations for Rio. I’ve been working really hard on improving every aspect of my game and I can’t wait to go out there and compete.”
Joining the McCowan family in the BC3 category will be Patrick Wilson from Edinburgh, who won a 2014 World Championship silver medal in the BC3 pair with Scott McCowan. Patrick is the youngest member of the squad and competes in his first Paralympic Games.
In the BC4 category, World Champion Stephen McGuire (South Lanarkshire) and Kieran Steer (Fife) are joined by England’s Evie Edwards. The trio won a team silver medal at the 2015 BISFed European Championships.
Joshua Row (Perth) makes up the Scottish contingent and he will compete in the BC2 singles and the BC1/BC2 team event. Josh has also had success on the international stage where he was part of the BC1/BC2 team that won bronze at the BIsFed Boccia World Championships 2014.
Finally, Scottish Disability Sport is delighted that former Pathways Manager, Claire Morrison, will be in attendance as Head Coach and will lead the BC1, BC2 and BC4 players at the Games. Claire has worked tirelessly over this Paralympic Cycle and will ensure the players are at their very best to compete at the highest level.
Today’s announcement highlights the strength of the Scottish programme and everyone at SDS wish the GB Team all the very best.
Selected athletes are:
BC1 David Smith (competition partner: Sarah Nolan)
Home town: Eastleigh
BC2 Nigel Murray
Home town: Leamington Spa
BC2 Joshua Rowe
Home town: Perth
BC2 Claire Taggart
Home town: Larne
BC3 Patrick Wilson (competition partner: Kim Smith)
Home town: Edinburgh
BC3 Jamie McCowan (competition partner: Linda McCowan)
Home town: Dundonald, Ayrshire
BC3 Scott McCowan (competition partner: Gary McCowan)
Home town: Dundonald, Ayrshire
BC4 Stephen McGuire
Home town: Hamilton
BC4 Kieran Steer
Home town: Crossgates, Fife
BC4 Evie Edwards
Home town: Ipswich