Tag Archives: sport

Team Cowan take the High Road at the National Wheelchair Pairs

Wheelchair Curling 2014 winners

Team Cowan are the Stars at the 2014 National Wheelchair Pairs Curling Championship

There is a new pair of champions following this year’s Star Refrigeration National Wheelchair Pairs Curling Championship, which took place last weekend at Braehead Ice Rink in Glasgow.

The much-loved competition saw 16 pairs of curlers competing for the grand prize this year, with teams hailing from all over Scotland. After making it through the round robin stages, John Doyle from East Kilbride and Daniel Cowan from Lockerbie managed to claim victory in their High Road final against Paul Webster and Angela Higson, taking the crown from two time winners Mo Simpson and Ian Donaldson.

Alan Walkinshaw, Star’s Director of Sales, attended the championships to present the prizes to the lucky winners. Speaking about the event, he said: “It was a pleasure to attend the finals again. The standard of play seems to improve with each year and  it was great to see new winners in John and Daniel come to the fore this year.

Star Refrigeration has been proud to sponsor the National Pairs competition for the last 9 years in a period when participation levels and performance levels have increased, as has the profile of wheelchair curling.”

As well as Team Cowan, the curlers were also celebrating another team’s win after the success of Team GB at the Winter Paralympics earlier in the year. The bronze win of the Scottish curling team in Sochi propelled the sport into the spotlight, and tribute was paid to their victorious friends (with skip Aileen Neilson having previously won the Star Championships herself) in the form of a Sochi 2014 banner hung up at the event.

David Morgan, Chairman of the Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association, said: “I would like to thank Star Refrigeration for all the support afforded to the Wheelchair Curling Championship by sponsoring us over the past nine years at Braehead Ice Rink.

Interest levels in our sport have been soaring after Sochi. This has been a landmark year for wheelchair curling, and Star have really been a tremendous contribution to the promotion of wheelchair curling in Scotland.”

PHOTO (L-R: Daniel Cowan, Alan Walkinshaw of Star Refrigeration, John Doyle).

For more information about the weekend’s matches, visit the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

 

Scottish Gas National Open Swimming Championships – penultimate day

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Murdoch out guns Jamieson in classic final

There was much anticipation amongst the large crowd at Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow ahead of the men’s 100m breaststroke final on the penultimate day of the Scottish Gas National Open Swimming Championships.

Headlining the race were Ross Murdoch and Michael Jamieson who are establishing a great rivalry and this was evident, with both athletes coming onto the block with a steely determination showing on their faces.

It was Murdoch who made the better start and powered his way down the first 50m although Jamieson was never far behind. With the crowd roaring all the finalists on, it was Murdoch who came through to take the touch in 59.75, not only a qualification time for Team Scotland consideration, but a new Scottish Record.

Jamieson’s time of 1:00.82 was also within the Team Scotland criteria, but third placed Craig Benson (Warrender) agonisingly missed out, posting a time of 1:01.58 just 0.01sec outside the time required.

Craig McNally timed his 200m backstroke final to perfection, not only taking the title, but making the all-important consideration time. Having just missed out in last night’s 100m final, the 21 year old was focussed and came home in 1:58.87. The smile on his face was clear and he said:-“What a relief. I knew it was a decent time because I’m cramping up right now and that tends to happen to me when I’ve swum a good race. I’ll be fine for tomorrow’s 50m but it is taking longer to recover. At least tonight I can sleep well knowing I’ve got the time.”

McNally made headlines last summer at the World Championships in Barcelona when he was the fastest Commonwealth swimmer in the final and said of his experience:-“I think with that performance there are added expectations which could lead to some pressure on me to do well in the summer, but I relish that, I like pressure and the extra nerves that pressure gives me, which is ultimately what drives me to do better and post fast times.”

University of Stirling’s Ryan Bennett finished 2nd but was disappointed not to have posted a time but will go into next week’s British Championships determined to seal his place.

The sprinters were also in the mood for Team Scotland consideration times. First off was Richard Schafers (Edinburgh University) who not only broke his own Scottish record, but his time of 22.47 was well within the qualification standard needed for Glasgow. This was quickly followed by Sian Harkin (University of Stirling) who sealed her second nomination of the meet following her victory in the 50m butterfly with a time of 26.92 and both athletes were in buoyant mood.

Schafers said: “I’m pleased although if I’m being honest I would have liked to have gone faster. I felt relaxed which is what I need to do to race well. I’ve had a rough couple of years, and this may sound strange, but I think I was taking things too seriously, which had a detrimental effect on my performance.

“I’ve changed my approach now, I’m much more chilled about everything and I’m enjoying some good results.”

Harkin had hoped to post a time during the morning heats but fell short by 0.01sec. Explaining her approach to the final she said:

“I didn’t sleep well last night. The reality of me making a Team Scotland nomination time hit me and all of a sudden I started thinking about the Athlete Village, what it would be like, so really struggled to sleep.

“After this morning’s heat I spoke to Ben (Higson, coach of University of Stirling) and watched an analysis of my race so knew what was missing. The margin of error in a 50m race is so small so every bit of information is important to help make the difference. I’m feeling happy right now.”

In other finals Hannah Miley (Garioch) won both the 400m free and 200m breast finals, while Stephen Milne’s (Perth City) domination of long distance events continued with victory in the 800m free. Kathleen Dawson (Warrington Warriors) won the 100m back title but none of the times met the Team Scotland selection standard.

Listen to an interview with Hannah Miley here:-

The Scottish Gas National Open Swimming Championships take place at Tollcross International Swimming Centre between 3rd and 6th April 2014.

The event can also be followed on social media by using #SGNC2014 as hashtag, as well as on Scottish Swimming’s recently launched website. A new section, Swim Buzz, will provide users up-to-date information about the Championships and other Scottish Swimming events, and can be visited at www.scottishswimming.com/swimbuzz

If you missed any of the action you can watch all races again on Scottish Swimming’s YouTube channel at  free of charge.

Listen to the round up of Day 2 here:-

Glasgow University honours sports students

Lauren GrayThe University of Glasgow hosted an inaugural reception to honour the recent success of their students in sport and to celebrate the selection of this year’s sport bursars.

The event, held in the university chapel today, celebrated the significant number of talented athletes at the University all looking to combine a first class degree while competing at national and international levels in their sport.

One of the athletes is Laura Muir, current 3rd year Veterinary Medicine student, who has already been selected to compete in the 800m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

Another is Lauren Gray (photographed) who won the World Curling Championship earlier this year.

Euan Smith, Assistant Director, Sport and Recreation Service said:- “This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the success of many of our talented athletes that form part of our student body and alumni. We wish them all the very best in the coming year which will be a fantastic year of sport for the city and the University”.

This is is a full list of students receiving bursaries:

Athletics Laura Muir
Taeknowdo Hazel Bracken
Basketball Calum Nicol
Swimming Camilla Hattersley
Athletics Jo Patterson
Karate Stephanie Connell
Kite Surfing Holly Kennedy
Rowing Emma McDonald
Rugby Megan Gaffney
Badminton Matthew Carder
Track Cycling Kenny Ayre
Rowing Rebecca Lightfoot
Figure Skating & Ice Dance Ashley mitchell
Karate Giovanni Rossi
Cricket Samantha Haggo
Volleyball Caitlin McEwan
Volleyball Kirsty McLean
Squash Mhairi Charlton
Hockey Fiona Bruce
Hockey Michael McKenzie
Basketball Aljosa Alilovic
Lacrosse Aidan Bundy
Lacrosse Matthew Hill
Cycling Stuart Wilcox
Karate Marc Macaulay
Table Tennis Lynda Flaws
Athletics Lachlan Oates
Athletics Kathryn Pennel
High Jump Nikki Manson
Curling Rachel Hannen
Athletics Andrew Murphy
Rugby Ben Johnston
Curling Lauren Gray

Ford will be in the driving seat at the Games

Ford, the UK leader in automotive sales, engineering and manufacturing, has signed up to become the latest partner of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

As a partner with a presence in 90% of Commonwealth countries, Ford is well matched to this iconic sporting event that will be watched all across the world.

As the Official Automotive Partner, Ford will provide the Organising Committee with over 1,100 vehicles for use during the Games and for transport when the Scotland leg is under way of the iconic pre-cursor to the Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay.

The Baton, which departed from Glasgow last month to begin an epic 190,000km, 248-day international journey, returns in June 2014. Ford vehicles will then convey it and its support team the length and breadth of the country throughout the 40-day domestic leg before it arrives back in Glasgow for the momentous Opening Ceremony.

Ford will support the Games with a wide range of market-leading vehicles, including Ford Focus, Ford C-MAX, Ford S-MAX, Ford Galaxy and Ford Tourneo. The importance of delivering a sustainable Games will be reflected by a low CO2 emissions output across the majority of the fleet. A dedicated line-up of Ford Focus Electric Vehicles will be available to transport the Organising Committee.

Ford will also become an Official Partner of Team Scotland, Team England, Team Wales and Team Northern Ireland.

The Games will take place in Glasgow from 23 July to 3 August 2014 and will feature 6,500 athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth. They will compete in the largest sporting and cultural event to happen in Scotland in a generation.

Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend 11 days of world class competition, with up to 15,000 volunteers showcasing the best the city has to offer. A global TV audience of more than one billion will also share in the Games experience.

Ford has a long history of sports-related sponsorships, most notably sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman, Glasgow 2014 said:

“It’s a proud moment in our journey to Glasgow 2014 to be able to welcome Ford into the sponsor family and we are excited to be working with them as our latest partner. The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are a great opportunity for sponsors to be involved in a unique occasion which reaches across the globe. Ford is perfectly placed to help us deliver a successful Games and leave a lasting legacy throughout the Commonwealth.

“With the success of the ticket launch, the volunteer programme and our commercial partnerships, we are on way to achieve a memorable Games experience for all.”

Mark Ovenden, Ford UK Chairman and Managing Director said:

“Ford is delighted to be an Official Partner of Glasgow 2014 and to be able to support this important cultural and sporting event.
“Our best-ever vehicle range enables us to provide a fleet inclusive of low-CO2 cars that will help deliver a sustainable and inclusive event for a huge global audience.”

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said:

“It is great to have yet another strong global brand on board for 2014, and I am sure they will be a great partner for Team Scotland and the other Home Nations.
“Ford brings with them a long track record of support for sport and their expertise and passion will be beneficial in the run up to, and duration of the Games.”

Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison said:

“Ford will play a pivotal role in keeping the Commonwealth Games moving and joins a growing list of companies that are helping make next year’s Games world class.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said:

“It is very pleasing to see that another sponsor at such a level has now joined with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. To ensure the best possible event next summer, it’s essential to work with partners capable of delivering services of the highest quality, and this has certainly been achieved here. I am delighted that Ford is the latest Tier One sponsor for the Games.”