DISABILITY SPORT TORCH BURNS BRIGHT IN WALES
As Wales’ Paralympians prepare to depart for holding camps in far-flung destinations, Welsh sport chiefs today toasted success much closer to home.
A healthy medal tally is expected from the Welsh contingent in Beijing, but torch burns equally bright at grassroots.
In the last 12 months, the number of sporting opportunities provided by Disability Sport Wales has rocketed. In 2007-8, well over 300,000 opportunities were provided for people with disabilities in Wales to take part in sport. The figure increased by 45% since the previous year.
The Disability Sport Wales Community programme – which is funded by the National Lottery – aims to develop opportunities for disabled people in sport. Now into its eighth year, it continues to surpass targets and exceed expectations.
And at the Sports Council for Wales’ sporting pavilion at the Royal Welsh Showground today, Chair of Disability Sport Wales, Gareth John was on hand to watch some of Wales’ latest recruits were in action:
“In the last 12 months, we’ve seen 200 clubs made accessible for people with disabilities. While the statistics demonstrate a dynamic landscape for disability sport in Wales – as well as a healthy picture for the future – we do not wish to rest on our laurels. There is more work to be done to increase opportunities and we will continue to strive forward, with particular emphasis and focus on integration and inclusion.
The progress of Disability Sport Wales has earned the plaudits from Britain’s most successful Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson:
“The support you get as a Paralympic athlete in Wales is absolutely world-class and I’m really pleased to see that this filters right down to community level. Not only do I believe that there will be plenty of Welsh talent waiting in the wings for years to come, I am also delighted to see that people – who may not even want to compete on the world stage – are having the opportunity to get active and have fun.”
It is not just the number of opportunities which have seen risen dramatically. There are now 512 clubs across Wales that are accessible for disabled people. 192 of these are mainstream clubs which have committed to develop inclusive delivery plans:
“The huge achievements across the country are indicative of the commitment and support of our key partners – particularly the Welsh Assembly Government, the Sports Council for Wales and the National Lottery – and the hundreds of volunteers who regularly give up their free time to increase the quality of provisions for disabled people in Wales, added Mr John.
Club membership has also seen a boost. Nearly 6000 disabled people are now formal members of clubs – an increase of more than 1700 since last year.
Philip Carling, Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, explains:
““Wales has a well deserved reputation for Paralympic sport and while it is hugely pleasing to see that around 30 Welsh sportsmen and women will soon be competing in Beijing, it is also very exciting to see the progress made at grassroots level.
“It is testament to the sheer hard work by Disability Sport Wales and the very many volunteers as well as the funding that is provided via the Sports Council for Wales from the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Lottery. It is clear that, year on year, more recreational opportunities are being provided for people with disabilities and that there are plenty more champions of the future waiting in the wings.”
For further information please contact Jane Williams at
Sports Council for Wales on 029 2033 8274
Further detailed information of the Disability Sport Wales Community Programme, including up to date lists of clubs, activities, coach education, volunteering and events opportunities can be found at:
www.disability-sport-wales.org
