Information Bulletin
06 October 2004
It's a Knockout and wheelchair/ambulant curling bonspeil
A group of Shetland special needs youngsters returned victorious last Saturday from a trip to Inverness to take part in an It's a Knockout and wheelchair/ambulant curling bonspeil.
The event, organised by Charlie Forbes, Sports Development Officer for Highland Disability Sport, was to celebrate the 3rd phase of the Disability Discrimination Act, which became law on 1st October 20004. To mark this occasion, Highland Disability Sport staged the 2 unique sporting events. Event Management company, True North Events, provided specialist apparatus for the event. This in itself is a step (or wheel) forward for total inclusion for all. There were 22 teams taking part from all over Scotland including Inverness, Aberdeenshire, Fort William, Fife and the Boarders.
Spirits were high on Thursday when the team left Shetland, who travelled south to Aberdeen by plane and then on to Inverness by rail. All involved were looking forward to the experience and taking part in the event, the first opportunity time that Shetland has taken part in this competition.
In the morning, both Shetland teams joined 9 other local authority teams to take part in the "It's a Knockout" event which consisted of large inflatable obstacle courses and other mentally challenging events such as Scalectrix racing. During this time the other 11 teams took part in the wheelchair/ambulant curling event, taking place in the Inverness Ice arena, adjacent to the sports centre. After lunch, all teams swapped over to try the other event.
The 'Shetland A' Boys' team were Christopher Sinclair, Sean Robertson, Aiden Ward and Shane Russell. The 'Shetland B' girls' team were Leanna Smith, Hannah Hunter, Natasha Hunter and Hayleigh Wood. The group of youngsters were accompanied by four adults - Donna Mainland, Community Development; Davina Morrison, Anderson High School; Carol Rose, Sandwick Junior High School; and Craig Smaaskjaer, Laburnum House
The results of the events were:
It's a Knockout morning session - 1st Place - Shetland A
It's a Knockout overall - 2nd Place - Shetland A
Curling afternoon session - 1st place - Shetland B
Curling overall - 1st place - Shetland B
True North Special Participation Award for the Best Team - 1st place - Shetland A
The trip was joint funded by Shetlands Islands Council and organised by Donna Mainland, Development Officer (Disabilities), of the Community Development Service. Ms Mainland said, "I am absolutely delighted with how well the trip went. All the bairns did really well and we are all very proud of them. Taking part in such a big event has been a very positive experience for all of them, and bringing home so many trophies was just fantastic".
Ms Mainland has been working closely with Scottish Disability Sport, (SDS) over the last few months. SDS is the leading organisation for disability sport in the county and has 17 different branches throughout Scotland.
Ms Mainland said that working in partnership with a national organisation will allow access to future competitions - "Shetland have been invited back to Inverness next summer to compete in an athletics and swimming competition, and training will begin soon for that. There are various different sporting events which take place through each of the branches including swimming, boccia, football, bowls and archery. "
Gavin MacLeod, Chief Executive of SDS and Emma O'Callaghan, Development Officer for Disability Sport, from sport scotland, will be in Shetland in November to support the formation of a branch of SDS in Shetland. The open meeting will be on Monday 15th November in the Bowler's Bar at the Clickimin Centre.
Any parents who would like their child to take part in sport can contact Donna Mainland on 01595 744 979 or email on donna.mainland@sic.shetland.gov.uk.
Ends