
BRIEF HISTORY OF HIGHLAND DISABILITY SPORT THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS
If anyone has any further images from the early years they can be forwarded to Charlie Forbes, HDS Office at Ruthven House, Drummond School, Drummond Road, Inverness IV2 4NZ
1982February - Highland Disability Sport was founded by William Swanson, Tom MacKenzie, Janet Home, Alistair Kidd and Marge Sieczkarek. It was known then as Highland Sports Association for Disabled People. In the picture at centre back row is William Swanson first chair of HDS and to his right other founding members Tom MacKenzie and Alistair Kidd September - It held its first major event at Dingwall in the form of an Open Sports Day which attracted 300 participants. | 1983The first regional swimming gala took place at the Craig Phadrig Hospital Swimming Pool with 73 participants competing. Winners in 3 of the sections went on to compete as Highlands first representatives at the National Swimming Championships at Grangemouth. | | 1985Front left to right-Janet Home(founding member),Alistair Kidd,Helen McIntosh,Winnie Ewing EEC MP Scott MacPherson of Red Cross House, Inverness, becomes Scottish Wheelchair Disco Champion at The Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen and Denis Charman from Tain wins the Scottish Outdoor Bowls Championship at Glasgow Green. Inverness Blind Bowlers formed. | 198612 members represent Highland at the Scottish National Outdoor Bowls Championships at Glasgow Green where Denis Charman retains his title. 7 Members compete at the National Indoor Bowls Championships at Coatbridge and Elaine Kerr from Nairn wins the section C category. In the picture trophy winners at the HDS Championaship held at Inverness | | 1987Highland host the Scottish National Carpet Bowling Championships in Inverness. | 1988Two Highland sports stars get selected for Scottish Teams. Trevor Lewis in swimming and Donald Tuach in athletics. | | 1990A Team of 16 athletes and 6 coaches from Highland compete at The European Summer Special Olympics in Glasgow and return with 5 gold, 16 silver and 10 bronze medals. The picture shows MP Russell Johnstone getting some useful tips from coach Dave McDiarmid at the HDS Annual Sports Day held at Culloden Academy, Inverness. Highland Disability Sport purchases its first mini bus. | 1991Athlete Donald Tuach is made a life member of Inverness Harriers for representing Great Britain in the Special Olympics World Games. Donald won a gold medal in the 4 x400 relay, a silver medal in the high jump with 1.55mtrs and a bronze in the 100mtrs 13.70secs. The first 11 a side and 5 a side teams take part in the National Championships at Kirkintilloch and Aberdeen. | | 1992Swimmer Tommy Hunter from Inverness wins 3 medals at the Barcelona Paralympics. Gold in the 50m backstroke in a new world record of 62.21, silver in the 100mtrs freestyle. and bronze in the 50mtrs freestyle. In the picture HDS 5 a side team finish runners up in the Scottish Championships at Tayside | | | | | | | | | | | |
Page Last Updated - 20/10/2015 |