Megan wheels her way to sporting glory
Published 18 Nov 2009 09:41
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Alloa Academy pupil Meggan Dawson-Farrell (17) has been selected by the Scottish Government's Sports Division to be a face of Disability Sport in the Active Nations Campaign.
The campaign is part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Programme and Meggan's selection confirms her position as a rising sports star.
Her most recent sporting achievement was competing in her first ever 10k in a new made-to-measure racing chair.
The event, held at the end of last month, is known as the Scottish Wheelchair Championships, and the Jedburgh course has a reputation for producing fast times.
Meggan was the first Scot over the line in a respectable time of 40 minutes and 57 seconds, just eight minutes behind Britain's most successful ever wheelchair athlete, Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Scottish Disability Sport national squad coach Ian Mirfin said this was "an excellent start to her 10k career".
Meggan, who has spina bifida, was first introduced to disability sport at a Clackmannanshire Council-run boccia event in Tullibody Civic Centre, where she met Jean Duncan, Active Primary Co-ordinator for youngsters with additional support needs.
Meggan's natural athletic ability shone and she was put in touch with Lynne Glen, Disability Sport Manager for SportCentral.
Meggan became a member of the Regional Development Squad in January 2008. Since then she has progressively increased her training from once a week to six times a week.
A second hand racing chair was bought for Meggan in March with funding from SportCentral, Forth Valley Disability Sport and Meggan's family.
This has given Meggan greater focus to increase her training and she has seen the results, reducing her times consistently in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
In May she was invited to be a member of the Scottish Disability Sport National Athletics Development Squad.
She also trains with Red Star Athletics Club in Glasgow and has been sponsored by Clackmannanshire firm OI, allowing her to buy a new made-to-measure racing chair.
In the past three months Meggan has taken four seconds off her 100m time, eight seconds off her 200m time and 14 seconds off her 400m time
She also won the Great Scottish Run Junior Wheelchair race in Glasgow in September.
Lynne Glen said, "I anticipate that Meggan's times will continue to decrease and frankly the world is her oyster in terms of future sporting achievements.
"And as well as sporting achievements, Meggan has entered a whole new world through sport that she never experienced before. She has become more confident, more independent and a very focused individual on her personal goals for athletics."
Councillor Bobby McGill, the council's spokesman for sport, added, "The council's sports development section organises hundreds of events every year for young people of all abilities.
"The council also supports SportCentral and Forth Valley Disability Sport. Meggan's introduction to sport began at a boccia event in a local hall, putting her on the pathway to the national level she is now at. I look forward to following her progress in the months and years ahead."
Meggan trains weekly with the SportCentral Regional Development Squad at Grangemouth Stadium with other members of the squad, some of whom have physical, sensory and learning disabilities.
Anyone with a disability who is interested in getting involved in sport should call SportCentral on 01324 590 720.
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