Lothian took a strong team of 8 swimmers to represent the region at the SDS National Junior Swimming Championships for those with a Physical Disability or Sensory Impairment on Wednesday 7th November 2018. Results from the day can be found here.
A report of the event can be found here.
Saturday 13th October saw the annual LDS Autumn Swim Gala take place at Mercat Gait Centre, Prestonpans. 60 swimmers competed on the day, with strong representation from all of the established clubs across Lothian. The morning session saw some swimmers competing in their first ever gala, with others vastly improving their previous times whilst the afternoon session saw the region's leading club swimmers compete, again with some fantastic performances.
The LDS autumn swim gala historically awards the Mark Headden Memorial Trophy to the most improved swimmer for the year and takes into account a number of factors including level of commitment, obstacles overcome and competition success. This year's winner was Lothian Racers, Musselburgh Marlins & East Lothian Swim Team member Sam Downie (pictured above). Sam has had a tremendous year, culminating in him being part of the Scotland squad which competed at the British Para-Swimming National Championships in Manchester where he returned with 2 bronze medals.
Thanks as always go to all officials, timekeepers and volunteers who continue to allow the gala to run seamlessly.
Full results can be found here.
The 2018 edition of the Lothian Regional Swim Qualifier took place on Thursday 11th October at the Mercat Gait Centre, Prestonpans. The event saw swimmers attend from across all 4 local authorities in the region, all of whom put in some great perfomances with many personal best times being set.
Swimmers who attended will now have the opportunity to respresent Lothian at the upcoming SDS National Junior Championships in November.
Thanks must go to Midlothian Council's Active Schools team who supported the organisation and delivery of the event, officials from Scottish Swimming and to senior pupils from Preston Lodge HS who took on timekeeping duties for the day.
Results from the event can be found here.
Congratulations to Christina McSherry on reaching the final of the Ladies’ LD section at the SDS Lawn Bowls Championships in Aberdeen on 1st September. After a closely fought match against Fiona Driver of Perth & Kinross Christina ended up losing out by one shot after an extra end but she was delighted with her performance which is her best ever at this event. Other Lothian bowlers also performed well, notably Raymond Brumby who was knocked out at the semi final stage in the Mens’ LD section and Carole Martin. Carole won the Ladies’ Ambulant (restricted) section last year but this was combined with the Ambulant (unrestricted) section this time round and, despite a close match against Scottish internationalist Barbara McMillan, she was unable to beat the strong opposition.
The full Lothian team who represented the region on the day were: Christina McSherry, Raymond Brumby, Carole Martin, Euan Wright, Carole Martin, Nicola Tuxworth, James Bennett, Paul Clapperton and Margaret Torrance. Well done to all.
Please click here to see a copy of the LDS accounts 2017-2018.
This year, [EN]GAGE Sports Centre at Edinburgh Napier University played host to the Lothian Open Boccia Championships and welcomed over 50 players from around Scotland to compete over three sections. Players travelled from the Borders, Dundee, Dumfries & Galloway, Forth Valley and West of Scotland, helping the strong Lothian contingent contribute to an excellent day of competitive boccia.
There was tough competition throughout the day in class A (players with physical disability) with some great play in all four of the groups. It was Fiona Muirhead (Individual), Tyler McLelland (Fife), Fiona Hagenbuch (No Limits) and Arthur Lawson (No Limits) who shone through and qualified for the semi finals. The semi finals were tense, but eventually it was Fiona Muirhead and Tyler McLelland who emerged as winners, beating Fiona Hagenbuch and Arthur Lawson respectively.
In an exciting final, it was Fiona Muirhead who came out on top to become class A champion for 2018.
The Class B section (for players with a learning disability) provided similar action and was closely contested, with some impressive boccia being played throughout both the male and female side of the draw.
In the male section, Hayden Keir (D&G), Lee Duncan (Right on Target) and Daniel Strang qualified for the semi finals as winners of their groups and were joined by Brian Boardman (Borders) as the best placed runner up. Hayden and Lee faced off in the final, where Hayden took home the gold in a match where the quality of play was not reflective of the 5-0 score.
Once again, the semi final stage in the female section was dominated by Lothian players as three from the four were local to the competition. The three LSO athletes were joined by Rebekah Perry (Dundee) who progressed to the final where she faced off against Jodie Lavin (LSO). In a tight came, which came down to the final end Rebekah took the win 4-2.
The junior section saw some excellent competition as the country’s under 18s pitted their skills against their peers from around Scotland. It was Dundee’s Alex Medley who took advantage of this year’s group winner format, his consistent display enough to take the title. Alex was pushed all the way by Kyle Latto (Dundee) and Abi Johnston (D&G) who took home the silver and bronze respectively.
A full list of first, second and third placed players can be found below –
Class A – Players with a Physical Disability
Gold: Fiona Muirhead (Individual)
Silver: Tyler McLelland (Fife)
Bronze: Arthur Lawson / Fiona Hagenbuch (No Limits)
Class B – Players with a Learning Disability (Male)
Gold: Hayden Keir (Dumfries & Galloway)
Silver: Lee Duncan (Right on Target)
Bronze: Daniel Strang (No Limits) / Brian Boardman (Borders)
Class B – Players with a Learning Disability (Female)
Gold: Rebekah Perry (Dundee)
Silver: Jodie Lavin (LSO)
Bronze: Kim Burnett / Lisa Wilkie (LSO)
Class D – Junior Players under the age of 18 (all disability groups)
Gold: Alex Medley (Dundee)
Silver: Kyle Latto (Dundee)
Bronze: Abi Johnston (Dumfries & Galloway)
I would like to thank all players and coaches for travelling to the competition and making it a success. I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to all individuals who assisted with refereeing / time keeping / results table - the competition could not run without your much needed and appreciated support.
Lothian Disability Sport Lawn Bowls Championships 2018
Sunday 22 July 2018
Longniddry Bowling Club
Longniddry Bowling Club played host to the Lothian Disability Sport Lawn Bowls Championships on Sunday 22nd July for the fifth year in a row. Although entries were down on last year, due mainly to holidays and illness, the nine bowlers who took part enjoyed some close matches, with results not always going the way of the favourites. First and second spots in the Ambulant (non restricted) section were taken by Glen Livingston and Billy Allan (both Fife) while the winner and runner up in the Ambulant (restricted) section were Stuart Chesby (Fife) and John McDonald (Lothian). Trophies were presented by Club President, Gary Findlay.
The hospitality extended by the Club was very much appreciated by the bowlers and thanks were passed on by LDS to the six volunteer markers and the ladies who provided the teas/ coffees and lunch. The players were also impressed by the state of the green and the excellent weather laid on and all are keen to return again next year.
If you have a disability and you are interested in the sport, please get in touch for more information – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0131 475 2364.
Pictured: Prizewinners with Longniddry BC President Gary Findlay (missing Stuart Chesby)
Lothian had a strong team of 11 swimmers represent the region at the recent SDS National Senior Swimming Championships (Learning Disabilities) at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on Saturday June 2nd 2018.
A total of 16 medals (9 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 bronze) were won by the Lothian team highlighting the fantastic performances on display. For the full list of results from the championships click here.
Lothian Disability Sport would like to thank all the coaches, volunteers and parents who came along to help and support the Lothian team.
For more information on swimming clubs and events in the Lothians, contact Jack Brodie on 0131 475 2364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Following the regional LDS Regional Athletics Championships, Lothian took a team of 23 athletes from 8 schools to the SDS National Athletics Championships in Grangemouth on Wednesday 6th June 2018. Results from the event can be found here.
Lothian Disability Track & Field Athletics 2018
The LDS Track & Field Athletics Championship returned to Meadowmill on Thursday 10th May with over 50 young people from the Lothians attending the event. Once again, the event ran parallel to the East Lothian Youth Games which helped to contribute to the great atmosphere.
Lothian Disability Sport worked in partnership with East Lothian council, Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics to facilitate the event which provides the opportunity for individuals with a physical, sensory or learning disability to record times and distances in a variety of track and field events. These results then allow the opportunity for athletes to be selected to represent the region in the Scottish Disability Sport National Event and therefore compete against other athletes from across the country. Both the Regional and National competitions provide the platform for young people to participate as the format allows different disabilities and athletic abilities the chance to compete against their peers with similar entry times / distances.
The event saw pupils from 10 schools across the region participate with representation from each of the Local Authorities. With Race Running included in the event programme for the first time, we saw a guest runner compete as part of Grampian Disability Sport in order to access more competitive opportunities within the event.
With 55 athletes taking part in the event, track & field athletics remains a popular fixture in the LDS Calendar of Events. Results from the event can be found.
If you are interested in finding out more surrounding opportunities in the area, please contact Jack on 0131 475 2364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
