University honour for Elizabeth

A DISABILITY sport pioneer has been made an honorary fellow of Abertay University.

Elizabeth Ferris from Carse of Gowrie was selected for the honour in recognition of her tireless work in establishing and growing the Dundee Dragons wheelchair sport charity since 2013.

The 30-year-old was inducted as an honorary fellow alongside former assistant chief executive of N H S Tay s i d e , D a n i e l McLaren, retired Abertay academic Professor Louis Natanson and former Abertay vice-principal, Professor Mary Malcolm, who is now deputy vicechancellor (academic) at Bedfordshire University.

Abertay’s division of sport and exercise has close links with Dundee Dragons and many students have engaged i n training placements before going on to coach disability sport at a national level.

Elizabeth, originally from Northern Ireland, has grown the organisation to more than 60 members across a range of sports including rugby, basketball, tennis, curling and badminton.

“I’m really honoured to receive this fellowship, particularly because of the strong links we have had with the university,” said Elizabeth, who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2011 and is a full-time wheelchair user. She added: “When you are in a chair, people treat you as if you are wrapped i n cotton wool, so the best thing to disprove that is to get out there and get involved in sport.”