Disability Sport Fife

 

Disability Sport Fife (SCIO)

Fife's lead body in Disability Sport since 1977

Leading the development of inclusive sport and active recreation for children, young people and adults with a physical, sensory or learning disability across Fife.

In 2017 DSF celebrated 40 years as the disability sport lead body in Fife for children, athletes and players of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability. DSF is a branch of Scottish Disability Sport with a charity registration number of (SCO48722)

You can now help supports us and make a donation via the Charities Aid Foundation 

About DSF

Leading the development of inclusive sport and active recreation for children, young people and adults with a physical, sensory or learning disability across Fife

Click to read more... 

Coach Education

Disability Sport Fife and parent body Scottish Disability Sport organise a series of workshops / courses in Fife throughout the year in addition to those provided by Active Fife and SDS nationally. 

Click for more information...

Latest Results 

Within this section you’ll find links to download the most recent results from competitions and events.

If you are looking for results from years previous please contact the DSF office.

Click to view latest results...

Hall of Fame

Disability Sport Fife has supported over 20 members to become GB Summer or Winter Paralympians since 1977. DSF athlete members have been enormously successful in European, World Championships plus Paralympic Games.

Click to view the profiles...

Policies and Procedures (click links below to download)

 
 
 
 
 

Weekly Activity Sessions 

Run Jump Throw Athletics

12+ years

Sessions for athletes with a disability.

> Click to download fact sheet

Tuesday   
4.15pm - 5.15pm

Pitreavie Athletics Centre
Pamela Robson and Gabby Doig

12+ years

Sessions for athletes with a disability.

> Click to download fact sheet

Wednesday   
4.30pm - 5.30pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
Pamela Robson and Gabby Doig

6+ years

Physical and sensory impaired athletes only.

Tuesday  
4.15pm - 5.15pm

Pitreavie Athletics Centre
Pamela Robson / Gayle Sloan / David Brown 

6+ years

Wheelchair racing and throws training

Thursday   
5.00pm - 6.00pm

Pitreavie Athletics Centre
Pamela Robson / David Brown
FUNdamentals
 6+ years

Core sports skills coaching session for children and young people with a physical or visual impairment.

> Click to download fact sheet
Monday   
6.15pm - 7.15pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
Alex Bird
6+ years

Core sports skills coaching sessions for children and young people with a physical or visual impairment.
Wednesday   
5.00pm - 6.00pm

Dunfermline High School
Alex Bird
Multi Sports
12+ years

Short tennis, table tennis and basketball coaching sessions for players with a disability.

> Click to download fact sheet
Monday
7.15pm - 8.15pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
Alex Bird
15+ years

Additional support needs multi sports session

> Click to download fact sheet
Thursday
10.30am - 12.00pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
Pamela Robson / Gayle Sloan / Julie Hogg 
Boccia
10+ years

An indoor court game for players with severe physical impairments who use a power or manual wheelchair.
Monday   7.15pm - 8.15pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
DSF coach volunteers
Badminton
15+ years

Coaching session for players with a disability.
Monday   8.00pm - 9.00pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
Alex Bird
15+ years
 

Coaching session for players with a disability.

Tuesday   2.15pm - 3.15pm

Carnegie Leisure Centre
Julie Hogg
Swimming
6+ years

Learners with a physical or visual impairment
Tuesday   
4.15pm - 4.45pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
FSLT staff
6+ years

Learners with a physical or visual impairment 

> Click to download fact sheet
Wednesday   
5.00pm - 5.30pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
FSLT staff
Ability based session

Improver swimmers with disabilities

> Click to download fact sheet
Wednesday   
5.30pm - 6.00pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
Lara Ferguson
Ability based session

Improver swimmers with disabilities

> Click to download fact sheet
Wednesday   
5.00pm - 6.00pm

Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre
Kathy Bijak / Kirsteen Miller
12+ years

Improver swimmers with disabilities

> Click to download fact sheet
Thursday
5.15pm - 7.15pm

Inverkeithing High School
Kathy Bijak / Kirsteen Miller

14+ years

Improver swimmers with disabilities

Friday
1.00pm - 2.00pm

Kikcaldy Leisure Centre
Gabby Doig

About Us

Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) has been leading the development of inclusive sport and active recreation for children, young people and adults with a physical, sensory or learning disabilities across Fife since we were set up in 1977. In 2017 DSF (SCIO) celebrated 40 years as the lead body in Fife for sport and active recreation for children, athletes and players of all ages and abilities with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities. 

Contact Information
•   Disability Sport Fife, Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre, Viewfield, Glenrothes, KY6 2RD

•   Telephone 03451 555 555 ext 444 989 

•   Email disabilitysportfife@fifeleisure.org.uk / norma.buchanan@fife.gov.uk
 

Key Impact Areas

•  sustaining weekly sports sessions led by DSF coaches - engagement and participation

•  recruiting and retaining members of all levels of ability - engagement and participation

•  providing education, coaching, officiating, and volunteering opportunities - learning

•  supporting performance Para athletes to achieve their goals through sport - performance

•  using communication platforms to inform, engage and celebrate - communication

•  promoting strong systems of governance – governance

•  to encourage inactive disabled people and significant others to be active - active recreation  

The safety, health and well being of our members is at the centre of all we do.

 

Success on the International Stage

DSF (SCIO) athlete members have been successful in European Championships, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games all over the world. Since 1977 DSF (SCIO) has supported 25 members to reach their goals as GB Paralympians. Individual members and Fife teams have enjoyed enormous success at Scottish national events across all sports.  


Events, Activities and Training

Each year DSF (SCIO) organises an extensive programme of sports events and provides education and training opportunities for coaches, volunteers, and peer mentors. With support from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, DSF employs an experienced team of coaches on a session by session basis to deliver sports specific and active recreation sessions weekly across Fife in top quality leisure centres.  

 

Our Head Office and Governance

DSF has two part time coordinators based at Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre financially supported by Fife Council and Robertson Trust grants and supported by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. 

DSF has a Service Level Agreement with Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and works in partnership with Fife Council. DSF (SCIO) has a Board of Charity Trustees plus sub committees with responsibility for Finance, Performance and Safeguarding.

 

Hall of Fame and AGM

DSF established a Hall of Fame to recognise performance athletes who have achieved significant success in international Para sport. 

The DSF (SCIO) Annual General Meeting and Annual Awards Evening are now a significant occasion in the Fife Sporting Year with well over 100 attendees and 40 awards presented.

 

Key Funding and Support Partners

DSF has many key funding partners whose support has been critical to our success. These include.

•  Spirit of 2012 (GOGA in Fife)
•  Scottish Disability Sport and sportscotland
•  Order of St John in Fife
•  Rotary in Fife and Kilrymont St Andrews Rotary Club
•  Margaret Pullar (Bill Pullar Bursary) and Russell Hogg Trust
•  Fife Council and Fife Sports and Leisure Trust
•  Scottish FA
•  Trefoil, Celtic Foundation and STV Children’s Appeal.

DSF (SCIO) also has strong links with Fife schools and the Active Schools Network. Since inception DSF (SCIO) has worked closely with Health and Social Care in Fife and a significant number of individual Fife Sports Clubs. DSF (SCIO) considers the Sports Councils in East, Central and West Fife as key partners. 

 

Activity Inclusion Model (AIM)

DSF will utilise the principles of the AIM model and STEP framework to promote inclusive practice within physical education, active recreation, and sport. DSF (SCIO) recognises that four factors influence inclusive practice and shape content and delivery – ability, activity, impairment and setting.

 


 

Coach Education 

Disability Sport Fife and parent body Scottish Disability Sport organise a series of workshops / courses in Fife throughout the year in addition to those provided by Active Fife and SDS nationally.

Please note sometimes there is a restriction on who can attend but in most instances they are open to all interested parties.

For more workshop or coaching information 
Email norma.buchanan@fife.gov.uk or Telephone 03451 555 555 ext 444 989

For further information contact Norma Buchanan the DSF Administrator norma.buchanan@fife.gov.uk

 


 

Latest Results 

For results, please email disabilitysportfife@fifeleisure.org.uk

 

 

Hall of Fame  

Disability Sport Fife has supported 25 members to become GB Summer or Winter Paralympians since the movement was formed in 1977. DSF athlete members have been enormously successful in European, World Championships plus Paralympic Games.

DSF athlete members and coaches have represented GB at every Paralympic Games since 1984

DSF has established a Fife Hall of Fame to celebrate the achievements of great athletes and players from Fife. Six DSF members were among the first 20 Scots inducted into the Scottish Disability Sport Hall of Fame in 2012.

Athlete profiles written by Richard Brickley, OBE MBE - Chairman, Disability Sport Fife (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees

Owen Miller Rebecca Lee Derek Rae
Colin Keay Aileen Harper Ann Swann
Maxwell McKay Paul Noble MBE Kerry Taylor
William McQueen Iain Matthew Caroline Baird (Innes) MBE
Tracy Barber (Wiscombe) Andrew Lindsay Lara Ferguson
Pauline Latto Frank Duffy Craig Rodgie
Lucy Walkup David Thomson Martin Lee
 
Owen Miller

Owen Miller

Inclusion on the British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy Programme came at exactly the right time for Owen Miller and coach Steve Doig from Fife AC and they took full advantage.

Missing out on selection for London 2012 was disappointing but Owen never gave up hope. Gold in T20 1500m in Tokyo was reward for believing in his ability and committing hours to training.     

The Dunfermline athlete was ranked number one in T20 class on the WPA world rankings heading off to Tokyo and is number one on the all-time British T20 1500m list. Owen has a PB of 3:52.09.


 
Rebecca Lee

Rebecca Lee

Between 1997 and 2008 Rebecca Lee was Scotland’s most successful S14 female swimmer and a regular pick for Team GB.

Rebecca’s first GB honour was selection for the IPC European Championships in Spain in 1997 where she won two gold medals and set two world records. This was followed up by selection for the IPC World Swimming Championships in New Zealand in 1998 and 2002 plus the IPC European Swimming Championships in 1999 and 2001.

When Rebecca retired, she had won over 50 international medals of which 17 were won at IPC or INAS-FID Championships. Rebecca competed for several clubs including Glenrothes ASC and Incas. During her time at the top, she set seven world records.


 
Derek Rae

Derek Rae

Derek Rae from Fife Athletic Club won silver at the WPA marathon world championships in London and has a personal best of 2:27.08. Derek is coached by Ron Morrison.

In his role as a DSF peer mentor he has immense influence on fellow athletes including many who do not aspire to his level of performances.

Derek’s work ethic is amazing, but he still finds time for others, and this is what makes him a very special high-performance athlete. Derek is a two times Paralympian – Rio and Tokyo.



 
Martin Lee - Balmullo

Martin learned to swim and progressed quickly to Glenrothes ASC at age 6. Martin remained with the Glenrothes Club until he was 9 and then joined Kirkcaldy ASC. At the age of 13 Martin joined Fins Competitive Swimming Club. At age 18, Martin joined City of Dundee Swimming Club.

Martin was 15 when he swam in his first British Deaf Swimming Championship. He had a successful championship and this led to his selection for the Deaflympics in Los Angeles in 1985. Martin had just turned 16 and he came home from his first Deaflympics with two silver and one bronze medal.

In 1989 Martin was selected for Team GB and swam in the Deaflympics in Christchurch in New Zealand in 1989. This was Martin’s most successful Deaflympics. Martin won five gold medals and one bronze medal and set world records in 100m and 200m breaststroke.

In 1993 Martin swam in his 3rd Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria where he won gold, silver and bronze medals and broke the world record for 200m breaststroke. In between his amazing Deaflympics successes, Martin excelled at numerous European Championships.

Post 1993 Martin developed a serious knee problem and became a qualified ASA swimming teacher. Consequently Martin retained his involvement in mainstream and deaf swimming. Martin is currently a teacher/assistant coach at Dundee City Aquatics and also assistant coach for the GB Deaf Swimming Club. Martin received Life Membership of the GB Deaf Swimming Club in 2016. At present Martin is developing a deaf starting system that will allow all deaf athletes an equal chance at the start of races.

 
Tracy Barber (nee Wiscombe) - Burntisland

Tracy was a pupil at Balwearie HS when she was introduced to DSF in the 90s. She remains to this day the most successful Scottish athlete with a learning disability ever to compete in international sport.

Tracy was a European, World and Paralympic Champion. She held world records and represented GB in Atlanta and Sydney winning 2 gold,1 silver and 2 bronze swimming medals.  The exclusion of S14 swimmers from the Games post Sydney deprived her of further international honours. A great champion who shattered so many records during her career.

Tracy’s Scottish records remain targets for the younger generation of Scots.

 
Paul Noble MBE - Leslie

Paul competed in 5 successive Paralympic Games and on each occasion won at least one medal. Paul became involved in disability swimming and table tennis as a pupil at Glenwood High School in Glenrothes.

Paul's PE Teacher Dave Kerr was enormously supportive during his school years. Brittle bones (orthogenesis imperfecta) caused him lots of pain and trauma at high school because of the many breaks that he experienced. Undaunted by successive periods in plaster, Paul spent many a lunch hour developing his swimming skills or improving his ability as a table tennis player.

Paul was a key member of the British team throughout the 80's and 90's. Paul was recognised for his contribution to swimming by the award of the MBE and he still gives so much of his leisure time back to disability sport as the Treasurer of Disability Sport Fife.

Paul competed throughout his career for Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club and was coached by Drew Young and Eddie Campbell. Paul is one of the most highly respected sportsmen in the country and renowned for being an outstanding competitor on the big occasion.

 
Caroline Baird (nee Innes) MBE - Cupar

Caroline was a pupil at Bell Baxter High School and started her sporting career as a swimmer with Cupar and District Swimming Club.

Like so many other Scots her first representative honour came as a member of the Scottish Junior team that competed in the British Swimming Championships. Her first major representative honour was as a member of the Scottish Youth Team that travelled to the World Games in Miami in 1989.  She excelled at that event as a sprinter. Her first Paralympic selection was Barcelona in 1992 and she returned with a gold medal.

Further honours and medals followed in Atlanta and Sydney. She also won gold at the World Championships in Berlin in '94 and Birmingham in '98. For over a decade Caroline was recognised as the world's leading sprinter in the T36 Class. She raised the standard considerably in her class under the guidance of coach John Oulton.

Caroline was inducted into the Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics Halls of Fame.

 
Colin Keay - Kirkcaldy

Colin was educated at Queen Anne HS and introduced to DSF by school staff. During the 80s he was the outstanding T36 sprinter in the world and won 5 gold and 1 silver medals at the Paralympic Games in New York and Seoul.

Colin was the first DSF member to be coached in a mainstream athletics club – Fife AC. Fife AC must be congratulated for all the support provided during Colin’s decade at the top. Colin’s impairment was cerebral palsy, but he had secondary sensory challenges of deafness and absence of speech.

The support offered by his family throughout his competition years was second to none and critical to his success. Colin’s best event was 400 metres but he won gold medals in the shorter sprints and cross country.

Colin was Scotland’s first ambulant track star and a regular Scotland and GB pick during the 80s. Colin was inducted into the Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics hall of Fame.

 
Andrew Lindsay - Cowdenbeath

The first international honour for Andrew was selection for the Scottish team that competed in the European Schools Games in Lisbon in 1994. 

When first Andrew became involved in competitive swimming as a pupil at Glenrothes High School he had no shortage of energy, a considerable degree of skill and a determination to win every race he would enter. 

Perpetual motion are words that often have been used to describe Andrew.  He represented Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). He was World record holder in the S7 100 metres backstroke for a decade and won 2 gold and 1 silver Paralympic medals. Andrew was a member of the Incas club until he transferred to the National Academy in Stirling.

Andrew served Fife, Scotland and Great Britain well and remains one of the country’s most successful high-performance international Para swimmers.

Andrew was inducted into the Scottish Swimming Hall of Fame.

 
Aileen Harper - Glenrothes

Aileen Harper was the first female wheelchair athlete from Disability Sport Fife to make an impact in international sport. In the late 70's and early 80's when she lived in Auchtermuchty, Aileen had considerable success in the sports of archery, athletics, swimming, and wheelchair dancing. A

ileen was the only Fife athlete selected to compete for Scotland at the CPISRA World Games in Holland in 1980. The Paralympic Games in New York in 1984 was her finest hour. Aileen won 3 gold medals in track, field, and wheelchair slalom. Her victory in slalom was remarkable because of the quality of the slalom chair she had at her disposal.

Aileen’s wheelchair was inferior to those athletes from United States and Denmark where the equipment was much more sophisticated. Aileen retired after New York to settle down with her family. Her contribution to the development of women's wheelchair sport in Scotland is immeasurable. Aileen passed away in March 2007.

 
Maxwell McKay - Cardenden

In the 80's when Scottish athletes with cerebral palsy were making their mark in International sport, Maxwell was up there with the very best.

Maxwell started his swimming training at Cardenden Swimming Club and was introduced to disability sport by his physical education teacher. Maxwell was selected for the Great Britain team for the Paralympic Games in New York in 1984.

A silver medal in the 50 metres backstroke was his reward for a lifetime commitment to swimming. It was a performance at the time that had British spectators on their feet. Maxwell will always be remembered as a "real character" in Scottish and British teams.

Maxwell will also be remembered for the skill and technique he demonstrated as a backstroke swimmer

 
Kerry Taylor - Dunfermline

Kerry competed for Scotland in CPISRA events in Europe throughout the 80s. Kerry’s classification was CP1 and she is dependent on a power wheelchair.

At the Paralympic games in Seoul she won gold, silver, and bronze medals in throwing events and slalom. Kerry’s skill and determination were exceptional.  

Kerry was the first woman to take on the USA and Scandinavia in sports they had dominated since they were introduced to the international calendar. Kerry has the minimum amount of movement, yet she undertook the most incredible of physical challenges including sub aqua in a pool and river. Kerry is one of Disability Sport Fife’s most unique all-round athletes.

 
William McQueen - Inverkeithing

Willie was the most well-known member of the long running swimming club for disabled people at Inverkeithing HS community use.

In the late 80s and early 90s William broke into the Scottish team for swimmers with cerebral palsy and performed brilliantly at CPISRA European and World championships. Selection for the Paralympic Games in Barcelona followed, and William took full advantage of the opportunity by winning gold and bronze in the pool.

Recognised as a specialist backstroke swimmer Willie will be remembered as the most successful of many disabled swimmers coached by Jean Wilson at Inverkeithing HS Community Use

 
Iain Matthew - Glenrothes

Iain was a member of the Fins Swimming Club and was coached by Ken White. Iain arrived on the sporting scene in the late 80's and his early representative honours were as a member of the Scottish Junior and Senior Swim Squads. Iain’s major success was at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona in 1992.

Iain was selected for the Great Britain team to swim breaststroke as a member of the medley relay team. Iain was an unexpected qualifier for the 100m breaststroke final in an outside lane. Iain swam the race of his life and finished ahead of his more experienced opponents. 

Iain continued to represent Great Britain in the 90's and is one of very few Scots to compete at the Commonwealth Games in EAD events. Iain was also a passionate footballer and represented Scotland internationally as an amputee player.

 
Pauline Latto - Buckhaven

Pauline came to the attention of DSF while a pupil at Buckhaven HS. Like so many young Scots, Pauline started her career as a swimmer and then moved to table tennis before settling in athletics.

Sprinting changed to throwing and it was in the javelin that she found international success. Before she was selected for GB she made her mark in CPISRA and IPC Athletics World and European championships. Pauline was selected for the Games in Sydney and Athens and it was in Australia that she won silver in the F36 javelin.

Pauline was a true beneficiary of the Scottish Institute of Sport and the many services it offered to performance Para athletes.

 
Lucy Walkup - Glenrothes

2016 inductee number two was Lucy Walkup from Glenrothes. The young Stirling University graduate and ex pupil of Auchmuty HS swam competitively in Para swimming and competitions for deaf swimmers from a very young age. Lucy is a prolific multi medallist in Scottish and British championships.

Lucy’s record in European and World Championships as a member of the GB Deaf Swim Team is impressive and she has one of that unique group of sports people who have competed at the Deaflympics. Lucy is an outstanding role model for young deaf sports participants and women specifically.

Lucy is a DSF sports ambassador who never missed an opportunity to swim for Fife or Scotland in major events. Lucy is an active volunteer and coach with DSF and studying at the University of Stirling to become a teacher.

 
Craig Rodgie - Dalgety Bay

2016 inductee number one was Craig Rodgie from Dalgety Bay who was the only Paralympian from Scotland with a learning disability at the Games in London in 2012. The ex Inverkeithing HS pupil competed in the S14 class.

Craig’s selection-maintained Fife’s record of having a Paraylympian at every Games since 1980. Craig was a prolific Scottish and British multi medallist and led the Fife swim team to a succession of national team titles at the Scottish Championships at Tollcross. Craig remains a role model for fellow athletes and a DSF sports ambassador. Craig’s impact on sport for participants and performers with a learning disability in Fife and throughout Scotland was significant.

Craig was recognised by Scottish Disability Sport over the years at SDS Annual Awards.

 

David Thomson - Glenrothes

2016 inductee number three was the late David Thomson from Glenrothes. David is a founder member of Disability Sport Fife (DSF) and a very successful athlete, bowler, archer and wheelchair dancer. David progressed from dancing to choreography and at one time was recognised as one of the best in the UK.

David also established himself as a very competent bowls coach particularly with bowlers who use a wheelchair. It was however as an administrator that David excelled. He served Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) as Treasurer from the mid 70s through to the 90s and Disability Sport Fife as Secretary from 1977 through to 2015. David made a unique contribution to the development of disability sport in Fife and Scotland.

Part of his legacy is the current strength of the administrative and financial structures of DSF and SDS. DSF owes so much to the late David Thomson.

 
Frank Duffy - Falkland

Frank is Disability Sport Fife’s only Winter Paralympian.  The Falkland man skipped the GB Team to a sliver medal at the Winter Paralympic Games in Torino in 2006 which was the culmination of an illustrious career in the sport. 

Prior to his accident Frank was an accomplished curler and he was able to call on his previous experience in the sport when he took up wheelchair curling.  Success soon followed as he led the Scottish Team initially to World Championship successes in 2004 and 2005.  

With the introduction of wheelchair curling to the Paralympic Games, Great Britain was listed as one of the favourites for major honours and of course they did not disappoint under the leadership skills of Frank Duffy.  Frank set the standard for the sport which has been carried on by successive Scottish curlers. 

For many years Frank Duffy was “wheelchair curling” and although he retired after Torino he continued to be involved in the sport as Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association Chairperson from 2006-2008 and as a Director for British Curling from 2007-2010.  He also continued to be involved in the sport as a commentator. 

Sadly Frank died in the most tragic of circumstances but his contribution to Paralympic sport will always be remembered.

 
Ann Swann - Methil

Ann Swann was a double Paralympian and represented Great Britain at the Games in New York in 1984 and Seoul in 1988.

Throughout the early 80's she represented Scotland at European and World Championship championships organised by CP-ISRA. Ann excelled as a CP2 athlete but also achieved considerable success in swimming and boccia. 

The Paralympic Games in New York in 1984 was an occasion for Ann to remember. Ann won 3 gold medals in field athletics and established herself as one of the leading athletes in her class in the World.

Ann retired from competitive sport after the Games in Seoul in 1988 and her contribution to the development of performance sport in Scotland for athletes with cerebral palsy is considerable.

 
Lara Ferguson - Leslie

From 1992 to 2006 Lara Ferguson was the outstanding Scottish female swimmer with a physical impairment in the open class events.  An ex pupil of Leslie Primary and Glenwood High School, Lara learned to swim at the Fife Sports Institute and in 1992 joined Glenrothes Swimming Club and in 1999 moved to Incas. 

At school she also became an accomplished table tennis player and won Scottish singles and doubles titles partnered by her Leslie teammate Paul Noble.  Lara’s first major international was the Paralympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 and she followed that up with selection for Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004.  In Sydney Lara won bronze in the S9 100 metres breaststroke and silver in the 4x100 metres medley relay. 

Lara also won many medals at IPC European and World Championships.  Lara was an outstandingly successful junior swimmer who progressed through to the senior ranks and became a great Paralympian in the toughest of the IPC Swimming classes. Lara is now involved in swim teaching and coaching.