Tyler McLelland from Windygates remembers with great fondness the coaching sessions he thoroughly enjoyed from fellow Scot Stephen McGuire who is one of the leading BC4 boccia players in the world. Tyler also competes in the BC4 class and looks up to Stephen and all that he has achieved in the sport as Scotland’s most successful male boccia player. Tyler is on his personal journey in the sport, having been invited to join the Scottish squad last year for the first time.
The photo was taken on the competition court in the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre where the coaching sessions took place. Tyler also has a competition court at Auchmuty HS where he is a pupil. The court was laid with the full support of the PT Ally Jack and staff team in the PE Department. Tyler has been organising recreational boccia sessions within school time for fellow pupils.
Tyler is an a mission to follow in the footsteps of Kieran Steer from Crossgates who was a member of Team GB at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016. Both players are members of Scottish Boccia and the national squad.
Parents Mark and Emma are fully involved with Tyler on his journey and mum Emma is Tyler’s official coach. Some years ago the Order of St John Fife paid for a new set of boccia balls for Tyler from Spain to add to the set already provided by DSF. This equipment completely transformed Tyler’s accuracy and consistency. Best wishes to Tyler and of course Kieran in the months and years ahead.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees