Lothian Disability Sport News

It has been an incredible month for East of Scotland swimmer Scott Quin who has proven to be amongst the very best in world swimming in the S14 classification for athletes with an intellectual disability.  

The Warrender Baths athlete was part of a winning Scotland team who attended the British Gas Disability Championships in Manchester in November and was one of nine East of Scotland swimmers who contributed to Scotland’s first success in ten years.  On a personal level, Quin was in fine form as he took the Men’s SB14 100m breaststroke World Record, in a time of 1:07.38.  This time is considerably faster than the qualifying time of 1.11.00 for the London Paralympic Games 2012, which Quin narrowly missed.  Forward two years and it is clear he is on an upward curve and he is now a member of UK Sports World Class Podium programme.

The talented swimmer continued this great form into the Scottish National Short Course Championships at the Royal Commonwealth Pool over the weekend.  Competing in the men’s 100m breaststroke, the Mighty Quin posted a new World best time of 106.92 in the heats, breaking his own World Record!  

It is clear the 24 year old has excelled in recent months and we look forward to watching his progression towards the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016.
 

*article taken from Scottish Disability Sport

Lothian Disability Sport

Carpet Bowls Championships - Sunday 30th November 2014

Musselburgh Sports Centre, East Lothian

Experienced bowlers Amanda Craig, Stewart Martin and Neil Shirley proved victorious in their respective sections at the Regional Carpet Bowls Championships on Sunday 30th November.  After a handful of withdrawals on the day, twenty eight bowlers were looking to secure a place on the Lothian team for the National Championships in Dundee on the 31st January 2015. 

In the ladies section for players with a learning disability, West Lothian bowler Amanda Craig experienced some mixed results during the group stage of the competition, winning two and losing one.  However she soon found her form at the semi final stage as she convincingly overcame Prestonpans bowler Carole White before coming up against Philippa Robinson in the final.  Philippa had played excellently throughout the day on her debut at the competition and was unfortunate to lose out in the final as Amanda Craig reclaimed the trophy she also won last year.

In the male section, Stewart Martin managed to defeat the experienced campaigner and multiple time previous winner Gordon Graham of West Lothian 10-3 in the final.  The tie was slightly closer than the score line would suggest as Prestonpans stalwart Martin galloped into a 6 shot lead after only two ends and this gap proved too much for Graham to claw back.

In the section for players with a physical disability, previous winner Neil Shirley re-claimed the title in the combined PD section.  Shirley proved too strong for Margaret Brown and Jimmy Restorick, although did lose out to the experienced Robert Kelly meaning he would have to claim the title on shot difference from club mate Jimmy Restorick. 

Well done to the winners and all bowlers who participated, making the event very competitive and enjoyable throughout.  Thanks is extended to Musselburgh Sports Centre, Prestonpans Disability Bowling Club and all volunteers who gave up time to mark ties and support the event.

Winners

Players with a Learning Disability

 Ladies

Winner:                Amanda Craig (West Lothian)

Runner Up:         Philippa Robinson (Lothian Special Olympics)

Male

Winner:                Stewart Martin (P'pans Disability Bowling Club)

Runner Up:         Gordon Graham (West Lothian)

Players with a Physical Disability

Combined Section

Winner:                Neil Shirley (P'pans Disability Bowling Club)

Runner Up:         Jimmy Restorick (P'pans Disability Bowling Club)

Neal Herbert

Lothian Disability Sport

Football Participatory Event - Lothian School Calendar of Events

Wednesday 26th November 2014 - Heriott Watt University, Edinburgh

Heriott Watt University Astrodome welcomed a host of young people from Schools across the region to kick off this year's Lothian Football Participatory Event on Wednesday 26th November.

Young People travelled from all four local authorities to continue the impressive attendance over the previous few years, with coaches from the Scottish FA and Street Soccer leading and delivering six skill stations in passing, shooting, dribbling and control.  This was followed up by small sided games with the primary aged teams from Prospect Bank and Kames (both Edinburgh) experiencing the event for the first time, while the slightly more experienced and older pupils from Woodlands (Edinburgh), Musselburgh Grammar (East Lothian) and Cedarbank (West Lothian) battled it out in the Secondary category.  There was also representation from Drummond CHS (Edinburgh) and Saltersgate (Midlothian), taking the number of young people to over 90.

Thanks is extended to the coaches from the SFA and Street Soccer and also Heriott Watt University for providing an ideal venue for the young people to develop their skills.  Links with the Heriott Watt Sports Union were also established, as they provided volunteers to assist with the event and this is an area the organisers will look to strengthen for next year.  Special thank you to Scott Montgomery, Active Schools Co-ordinator for Midlothian, for organising the event.

Hope to see you all next year and thanks again for your continued support.

For more photo's from this event can be found in the gallery.

SDS National Junior Championships for Swimmers with a Learning Disability

Tollcross Swimming Pool, Glasgow - Wednesday 19th November 2014

Tollcross Swimming Pool played host to the SDS Junior Swim Championships for swimmers with a learning disability yesterday.  The Commonwealth Games venue provided an ideal setting for swimmers to showcase their form in the pool and give them a taste of swimming in such an impressive environment.

Lothian were able to enter a team of 37 swimmers after using the Regional Schools Swimming Competition as a qualification event.  The Regional event welcomed entrants from 14 schools across the region with 71 young people swimming at Dalkeith School Campus.  This allowed swimmers from Briadburn, Cedarbank, Drummond CHS, Meldrum PS, Preston Lodge HS, Prestonpans PS, Saltersgate, Spark of Genius, West Calder HS and Woodlands the opportunity to swim at the National event.

The team were successful with many athletes picking up medals and achieving personal best times in the water.  Christian Buchanan of Lothian Racers and Musselburgh Amateur Swimming Club continued his fine development, with a string of impressive performances against more senior athletes.  There were also medals for athletes making their debut at the event, with Amy Moffat of West Calder HS and Lucas Harthill of Preston Lodge HS claiming silverware in their respective events.  Saltersgate School were the most successful overall in terms of medals won, with swimmers Seth Downs, Jordan Milton and Jade Reynolds among those taking their prizes back to Midlothian.

Special thank you goes to the organising team at Scottish Disability Sport, the officials and support provided from the local college and centre staff for making the day so enjoyable for all those who were able to attend.  

Lothian Disability Sport Successful in Bank of Scotland Community Fund Bid

Lothian Disability Sport (LDS) were fortunate to be awarded the top prize of £3000 through the Bank of Scotland Communities Fund last earlier this week.  This initiative welcomed applications from  a range of organisations, with a shortlist of worthy candidates being drawn up in each area across the country.  LDS were shortlisted against four other projects across the East Lothian region with public voting used to establish the outcome and which organisation would receive the funds of £500, £1000, £2000 and £3000 - with LDS coming out on top with 36% of the public vote.

The £3000 awarded has been ear marked to purchase two running bikes that will be hosted by Lothian Leopards Disability Athletics Club.  LDS and Lothian Leopards worked in close partnership on this process and many hours of hard work from the club coaches and volunteers helped significantly to achieving this deserved result. 

The running bikes can be used for individuals aged 3-4 years through to adulthood and are often used by athletes with Cerebral Palsy, although suitable for those with Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson's Disease and other disabilities that may affect mobility and balance.  The bikes will provide a new and exciting strand to the club and offer additional opportunities for athletes in the region looking to get involved with sport.

A huge thank you to everyone who text, tweeted or cast a vote in their local branch, you have supported the development of disability sport in the Lothian region.

Lothian Swimmers Perform Well at SDS Junior Swim Champs

Six swimmers represented Lothian at the SDS Junior Swimming Championships on Wednesday 5th November at Grangemouth Sports Complex.

This year's Lothian team was made up of swimmers from Lothian Racers and Livingston & District Dolphins Disability Squad, with West Lothian swimmers Aaron and Corey McDowell making their debut at the event.  The youngsters, who attend East Calder PS were quick to get into their stride with both brothers picking up medals - Aaron just pipping Corey to first place in the 25m FS Front race.  A strong Lothian Racers contingent was also present, with Sophie Gault, Jamie O'Boyle and Kris Fleming representing the club and region well throughout with a number of medals travelling back East at the end of the day. 

There was success for a few ex Lothian Racers athletes, with Kris Flemings older brother and Warrender Baths swimmer Jamie continuing his impressive development and picking up medals in a number of races including the 100m FS Front.  Another ex racer, Beth Johnston, representing the Borders had a fantastic day and kept up her recent form in the pool - breaking a long standing record in the 50m FS Back (39.15s). 

Congratulations to all swimmers.

For a full set of results from this event, please click here.

38 Scottish swimmers have been selected for the British Gas Open Short Course Championships to be held at Manchester Aquatics Centre on the 22nd and 23rd of November.

The squad will be aiming to better their 2nd place finish at last year's event against strong competition from Wales and England. The East of Scotland have strong representation, with nine swimmers being selected (six from Lothian and three from the Borders). The majority of these swimmers all competed at the recent Lothian Disability Sport Autumn Swimming Gala, continuing to provide support to the region.

Paul Wilson, Disability Performance Development Manager stated, "This is a huge team for us to be taking down to Manchester this year so I’m really excited to see how the swimmers perform".

Beth Johnston
Laura Pilkington
Shannon Crosbie
Donald Gray
Finlay Lindores
James Clegg
Robert Dalgleish
Scott Quin
Stephen Clegg

Superstar Sports Club provides a safe space for children with a physical disability to play games and participate in exercise and physical activity, while introducing the young people to a range of accessible and adapted sports.  All individuals currently attending the club have a physical disability and attend mainstream education.

The club is based at Musselburgh East Community Centre and currently has five members and now seeks a level two athletics/sports coach

Maria Lyle's hard work on the track continue to be recognised from the sporting community as she received the Young Sports Person of the Year Award at the recent East Lothian Celebrating Sport Awards.  This accolade for the East Lothian sprinter follows on from the recent Silver Salver Award received at the recent Scottish Disability Sport for most talented newcomer.