	Week Beginning 28/09/2009

Lothian Hibernian Win Gold at National 7-a-side Champs...

(Lothian Hibernian 'B' band players with Hibs manager John Hughes)

On Tuesday 15th September, Lothian Disability Sport and Meadowmill Sports Centre hosted the Scottish Disability Sport / Scottish Football Association National 7-a-side Championships for players with a learning disability. On a beautiful East Lothian Day 24 junior and senior teams from all over Scotland competed to be crowned Scottish Champions within their banded category. The event was the first opportunity for Lothian Hibernian to compete on Scottish Soil in which they had two teams competing, one team in the B category and one team in the C category. Players are banded on ability level in order to create a level playing field. The teams certainly looked the part, kitted out in full home and away Hibernian FC kit. However, not only did they look the part they also delivered the results with both teams winning gold in their respective categories. Lothian Hibernian were formed earlier this year and is a partnership between the long running Lothian Special Olympic football team based at Meadowbank in Edinburgh and the Hibernian Community Foundation. The club is open to any player with a learning disability over the age of 14 living within the Lothian area.

Gary Fraser, from Lothian Disability Sport, who organised the event said,

“It was a great day and some of the football on show was of an extremely high standard. The scorching sunshine certainly added to the occasion. East Lothian Council heavily supported the event, and Chief Executive Alan Blackie was in attendance to enjoy the action. In addition, Hibernian Football Clubs CEO, Scott Lindsay, was at the championships to show his support for disability football. The day was made even more exciting by the arrival of Hibernian's first team manager, John Hughes, who presented the medals.

For a full video report on the event please click on the link below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8259887.stm

For more information on Football for people with a learning disability, please contact Gary Fraser, Lothian Disability Sports Development Coordinator, on 01875 619 070 or gfraser1@eastlothian.co.uk.