Supporting the Adaptive Heavyweights at Stirling Highland Games
Stirling Highland Games is coming up on the 17th August this year and we're delighted to announce our three year collaboration with the Games and Ceangail in support of the Adaptive Heavyweights.
A Bit About Highland Games…
The Highland Games have a proud and storied history, tracing their origins back to the early 11th century in Scotland. These competitions were originally designed to test the strength, endurance, and agility of Clan warriors. Events such as caber tossing, hammer throw, and tug-of-war showcase the raw physical prowess and incredible skill that define the Highland spirit.
Over the centuries, the games have evolved to become a celebration of Scottish culture and heritage in many cities, towns and villages, uniting communities through music, dance, and athletic competition. Today, they continue to challenge participants and delight spectators, honouring traditions while embracing the spirit of camaraderie and friendly rivalry.
A Visit to Stirling
As fans of Highland Games competitions and Strongman, Carolyn and Derek enjoy being able to visit various towns to see competition over the summer months. (Yes we do get a 'version' of summer here in Scotland.)
In 2022, Cj spotted that Stirling Highland Games were running an Adaptive Heavyweights competition and knew this event was a must visit for the season. Set in Stirling Sports Village, on the playing fields under the impressive view of Stirling Castle, the sun shone and a full day of competition, music, arts and food was enjoyed. It left a lasting impression.
Not just because it was such a well run, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
But particularly because the Adaptive Heavyweight competition, the modifications made, and impressive strength of the adaptive athletes was truly exciting to watch!
So, when Cj was organising her Highland Games calendar way back in February (!) this year she looked up the Stirling dates and realised they were seeking a sponsor for the Adaptive Heavyweights section. After a (very quick) in house discussion an email was fired across, and discussions began.
Who are the Adaptive Heavyweights?
The Adaptive Heavyweights are a group of adaptive athletes who redefine the limits of traditional Highland games. These remarkable individuals, currently training and supported through the Wounded Highlanders, exhibit record breaking strength in events like the caber toss, stone put, and hammer throw.
The wounded Highlanders is the only UK adaptive Highland Games team, with over 30 athletes in the squad who are injured military veterans, with injuries from limb loss to brain injury to PTSD.
They were formed in 2019, after seeing how much of an impact an adaptive event and training benefitted the adaptive athletes both physically and mentally. Chairman ( Jim Holborn ) and Treasurer ( Mark Tonner ) both injured veterans, took on the challenge to set up the team and raise some funds to purchase the basic equipment to start helping others.
What the Partnership Means
For Anatomical Concepts UK, becoming a supporter of the Stirling Highland Games, and the Adaptive Heavyweights seemed like a natural fit, that aligned perfectly with our company values. We chose a three year partnership so that we could Learn, Develop and Grow, hopefully leaving some lasting impact.
Through our support we are delighted that a full Adaptive Heavyweight competition is available for adaptive athletes, with prize money at the same level as their peers without disability.
We also hope to see the sport grow, with more gyms becoming accessible, and trainers being open to coach people with adaptations. We'd also love to see more Highland Games make space for adaptive events and the thrilling competition it brings!
We hope to be able to introduce more of our friends, colleagues and clients to the sport and encourage them to get involved.
We're not kidding ourselves that our small contribution will do all of that in three years, but its helps make a start!
The whole team will be there on the 17th August and we'd love for you to join us if you can.
Tickets are available from Stirling Highland Games here: https://www.stirlinghighlandgames.com/product-category/ticket/
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More about Stirling Highland Games and Ceangail
The Stirling Highland Games is one of the largest and most prestigious games in Scotland, attracting thousands of visitors each year. It is organised by a volunteer committee and group that share a passion to provide visitors with an amazing authentic cultural experience whilst delivering a professional sporting competition.
Ceangail CIC (ceangail – Scots Gaelic meaning To Connect) is a social enterprise on a mission to inspire young people into tourism through vocational training opportunities. Since 2014, delivering the Stirling Highland Games allows them to create and deliver solutions that positively impact the community and create real-life practical training experiences for young adults.