The next generation of champs
DISABILITY SPORTS ON OFFER
TWO North East groups have joined forces to get more children with disabilities involved in sport and possibly set them on the path to becoming future Paralympians.
The Small Steps to Sport ‘multi taster’ event at Consett Leisure Centre in County Durham takes place on Saturday where people like Great Britain Paralympic swimming champion Matt Wylie MBE will be giving advice to participants.
The community interest companies (CIC) behind it are Heel and Toe and Smile Through Sport which supports children and young people with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities, and Smile Through Sport, founded by North East Paralympic legend Stephen Miller.
Multiple medal winner Stephen from Cramlington, Northumberland, said: “I believe the health benefits from sport should be made more accessible to everyone and getting young people, particularly those who live with a disability, involved in sport as early as possible, can make a huge difference in their development, providing far better outcomes and quality of life that wouldn’t otherwise be the case.
“I know from my own experience what is possible and these types of free taster multi-sport events are a fantastic way to inspire, educate and engage with those individuals who may not have had the opportunity to try sport before.”
Among the sports on offer will be RaceRunning, a sport for those with balance impairment issues which relies on the use of a custom-built learner tricycle, a number of which will be made available on the day.
RaceRunning lends itself to those who live with cerebral palsy, and arthritis and is about to get its debut as an official event at the 2018 World Para Athletics European Championships in Berlin in August this year.
Jane Long, event organiser for Heel and Toe, said: “We are encouraging children with physical disabilities to sign up for our free Small Steps into Sport event.
“The provision for disability sport in the North East is scarce especially from an early age and this special event has been organised for children with disabilities as a taster session into sport.
“From a therapy perspective, early participation in sport is a fantastic pathway for children to stay mobile, flexible and healthy in body and mind, not to mention the social aspects of being part of a club or team where children have different complex needs.”
To sign up to the event, visit http:// heelandtoe.org.uk/events/disability-multi-sport-event/ or email info@heelandtoe.org.uk or call 0191 386 8606.