Scotland's first frame running hub opens in Scotstoun

Gavin Drysdale joined players from Glasgow Warriors and the rugby club’s managing director and former Scotland player Al Kellock at an event to open the country's first track set-up aimed at users of a frame.

The pioneering facility, funded by children's rugby charity Wooden Spoon, will help young people with limited mobility to access frame equipment, become mobile, and foster independence through sport.

And Drysdale, 22, wants the next generation to gain from para-sport in the same way that he did.

He said: “Frame running has completely changed my life. It has given me so many opportunities over the years I never thought I would ever have.

"The hub will mean many more children with limited mobility will be given the chance to participate in recreation and sport and discover the joy of frame running like I did."

At just five, Drysdale was a benefactor of Wooden Spoon's support of Bobath Scotland, now Cerebral Palsy Scotland.

It was there that he was recommended to try frame running for the first time which led to him being the first person in Scotland to have a running frame at age six years.

Kellock praised the 'power of sports' for the initiative (Image: Supplied)

12 years later he won gold for Great Britain at the Para Athletics World Championships in Dubai and has successfully defended his world championship title this year in Paris.

Drysdale added: "With the support of Wooden Spoon, Cerebral Palsy Scotland was able to introduce me to frame running through their therapy sessions and ultimately make a young boy’s dream of participating and achieving in sport come true."

The frame running equipment hub is a collaboration between Queen Margaret University (QMU), Neil's Wheel Charity, Frame Running Scotland and ACE Frame Running, along with Scottish Athletics and Scottish Disability Sport.

The hub has running frames, and associated equipment, available for start-up clubs to request to hire free of charge for up to 24 months at a time.

This will give the club enough time to grow a membership and raise enough funding to purchase their own equipment and will also allow current clubs to interchange frame sizes like a ‘swap shop’.

Kellock, who played rugby 56 times for Scotland between 2004 - 2013, echoed Drysdale's thoughts and explained it shows again, the power of sport.

He said: "The launch of Scotland's first frame running hub is a testament to the unifying power of sports.

"Wooden Spoon is proud to contribute to this transformative project that paves the way for a more inclusive and accessible future for young individuals across Scotland."