A fantastic day of athletics was had as the Grangemouth Sports Complex saw 11 teams from around Scotland descend on it to participate in multiple athletic-disciplines. This was the first year the event ran in partnership with UK Sportshall organisation alongside our usual partners scottishathletics. The event is designed to be an introductory competitive outlet for those athletes at the first stages of enjoying the sport, many of who have qualified for this event by participating in local and regional events and have been selected to represent their branch area. Teams are asked to select athletes from all disability disciplines to be eligible for the trophy which is awarded to the team who collect the most points throughout the day. SDS were delighted with the attendance and it is heartening to see that strong development is being encouraged in such an important sport.
There were some slight changes to the format and order of the event as it assimilated with the typical Sportshall format ran up and down the country. Team Fife once again took home the trophy with the team performing superbly across all disciplines. Fife have put a lot of work into developing their run, jump and throw sessions in the area and all this practice clearly is bearing fruit as the youngsters excelled on the day with Dumfries and Galloway and Highland in hot pursuit but ultimately finishing in the second and third positions respectively.All participants and team support should be applauded as they all contributed to a special atmosphere at the event as the sport proved to be the real winner.
A big thank-you should go to Adam Burgess, the Senior Development Officer for Sportshall and to Harry Baird, the scottishathletics Sportshall co-ordinator for their extensive contribution both before and during the event.
The excellent partnership continues with Barclays and West Lothian College with both organisations providing tremendous voluntary support to this event along with the usual excellent volunteers from the local athletics clubs Forth Valley Flyers.
Don’t forget the National Cross Country Event at Bellahouston on Thursday 19th March. If you would still like to participate in this event please let us know at events@scottishdisabilitysport.com.
Photo: Team Fife A Team: Winners of the SDS Sportshall Challenge 2020