Special team medal haul
Disability sports squad are a big success in Sheffield
Forth Valley Disability Sport Team excelled themselves in the 10th Special Olympics National Summer Games at Sheffield recently coming home with a total of 44 medals - 19 of which were gold.
The team of 53 athletes and 29 coaches/carers was made up of individuals from Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire and they competed against 2600 athletes from 19 other regions in the UK in athletics, boccia, bowls, football, golf, and swimming.
This year’s event took place in 13 venues throughout Sheffield and the commitment of the athletes was evident in the results which saw them glean 19 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze medals plus a host of personal best performances.
Team manager Graham Harvey said: “It has been a fantastic competition and for many of the athletes it has been their first time away from home and competing in a national event.
“Everyone went home with memories they will never forget.”
Graham thanked the many local businesses who supported the team including RJM Sports, who supplied the Forth Valley teams Uhlsport kit, M-line for transporting the team to and from Sheffield and the volunteer coaches, escorts and careers.
Forth Valley Disability Sport would also like to thank everyone who helped the Special Olympics team to be so successful including Awards for All, The Schuh Trust, Bannockburn Miners Welfare Social Club, EDF Energy, Morrions Supermarket, Aldi Supermarket, Asda Supermarket, Forth Valley Flyers Athletics Club, Right on Target Boccia Club, Stirling City All Stars, Enable Arion Swimming Club and Falkirk Indoor Bowling Club.
Medal winners
Athletics: Steven Stone (Falkirk - three gold); Chloe McLean (Stirling - two bronze); George Le Hardy (Falkirk - three gold, one bronze); Alanna Burton (Falkirk - one gold, three bronze); Caitlyn Ross (Falkirk - two gold, bronze); Niall Finlayson (Stirling - gold); Bruce Anderson (Stirling - silver); Liam Nolan (Falkirk - two gold, one bronze); David Harley (Falkirk - one gold, two silver); Grant Waplington (Falkirk silver); Amy Currie (Stirling bronze); Ellen Wotherspoon (Falkirk - bronze); Paul Wotherspoon (Falkirk - one bronze); team (gold and bronze). Boccia: Lee Duncan (Clackmannanshire - silver and bronze); Connor Whannel (Clackmannanshire - gold and silver); Darren Rooney (Clackmannanshire - gold); Barbara-Ann McGinn (Clackmannanshire - gold; pairs (gold and silver).
Indoor Bowls: Craig Stirling (Falkirk - silver); Frank Maguire (Falkirk - silver and bronze); McWilliams (Falkirk sivler and bronze); team (bronze).
Football 7-a-side: Forth Valley A Team - (gold - Hendry Bell; Craig Boyle; Garrie Knight; Paul Lucy; Paul Marshall; Iain McLeod; Stuart Munro; Shaun Wotton). Forth Valley B Team (bronze Stephen Donaldson; James Ferguson; Jamie Henderson; Peter Holden; David Lenton; Callum Macdonald; Daniel McLean; Patrick McLean; Christopher Pearson; Gordon Reid; John Shanks.
Golf: Andrew Stuart (Stirling - silver).
Swimming: Andrew McMillan (Falkirk - two gold, two silver); Gavin Miller (Clackmannanshire - gold and bronze); Claire Robertson (Clackmannanshire Robert silver); Mark Lumsden (Stirling two gold); Lewis Kellett (Falkirk - gold); team (gold).
More information about sports participation opportunities for people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities please telephone Forth Valley Disability Sport on 01786 466486.