WEST FIFE Community Support Services was recognised at the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) awards evening in a number of categories for the excellent programme they provide throughout the year for teenagers and adults with additional support needs.

WEST FIFE Community Support Services was recognised at the Disability Sport Fife (DSF) awards evening in a number of categories for the excellent programme they provide throughout the year for teenagers and adults with additional support needs.

Physical activity, including sport, is only one of the many activities offered to service users throughout the week in settings throughout the west of Fife.

Wayne Sammut, from West Fife CSS, was the first athlete to be recognised at the awards evening for the significant contribution he has made to disability sport in Fife over a number of years. Wayne was one of two winners of an Access Trophy for significant achievement in sport. He has represented Fife in a number of sports and has been particularly successful in badminton, swimming, archery and athletics.

Nikki Baxter, from West Fife CSS, was the proud recipient of a senior Endeavour award in the name of Tom Donaldson. Nikki is fast emerging as the leading all-round senior female competitor with additional support needs, with some outstanding performances lately in swimming and athletics in particular. Nikki has moved through the ranks in her sports and is now competing regularly in higher-level competitions.

West Fife CSS staff member Ian Paterson has been at the forefront of many sports initiatives involving service users and DSF. Ian’s skills and abilities transcend a number of sports but in archery, athletics, indoor sports and football he has made a significant contribution. He was awarded a Special Recognition award in the name of Fife paralympian Adam Morley for his support of West Fife CSS athletes engaged in sport. Quiet, unassuming, caring and committed were just some of the qualities identified in the citation read out on the night.

West Fife CSS senior staff member Anna Capon became the 2015 Ambassador of the Year because of her many years of support of DSF and for encouraging so much partnership working between the two organisations.

Successive generations of West Fife CSS athletes and staff have engaged with DSF for local, national or international projects. Physical activity, including sport, features prominently in the lives of many West Fife CSS service users and the partnership between DSF and West Fife CSS is considered a model of good practice between the voluntary sector and social work services. Anna has been the driving force behind so many successful programmes and projects.

Presentations of the DSF Awards were made by the Provost of Fife and chair of Scottish Disability Sport, Janice Eaglesham.