Link-up helps to give Rowe helping hand

College boost for Paralympian

Perth Paralympian Joshua Rowe is now able to train closer to home for his next big event thanks to a collaboration between a number of organisations including Scottish Disability Sport and Perth College UHI.

Joshua (23), who has cerebral palsy, has played Boccia, an indoor target ball sport similar to bowls, for 10 years.

But up until recently, he has had to travel outwith Perth to access a specialist hand-bike to keep up his strength between events.

Now thanks to the funding from Education Scotland and Awards for All, Joshua can access the equipment at the new Academy of Sport and Wellbeing at Perth College UHI.

Joshua said: “To have a handbike for my training to use here in Perth is amazing.

“It’s an important part of my overall fitness regime and having recently returned from the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

“I look forward to being able to use it to improve my muscular endurance, mobility and overall fitness in my quest towards competing at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.”

Helen Duncan, Perth College UHI Equality Outcomes Advisor, added: “Here at the new Academy of Sport and Wellbeing, we are delighted to support Joshua with his training.

“He is an ambassador for the academy and we are looking forward to playing a key part in developing wider opportunities for disability sport both regionally and nationally”.

The £7.5 million new Academy of Sport and Wellbeing provides extensive hair and beauty, sport and academic facilities for students, staff and wider community groups.

Joshua went on: “I sincerely hope that others will be inspired to use the hand-bike to improve their fitness and benefit from the use of this amazing inclusive piece of equipment.

“I would like to especially thank Education Scotland and Awards for All for generously providing the funding for the bike and everyone at Perth and Kinross Disability Sport and Scottish Disability Sport for all their work with this project.

“I’d also like to thank Perth College UHI for finding a home for it within the new Academy for Sport and Wellbeing.”

To have a hand-bike for use in Perth is amazing