The 2017 Central Parasport festival was a great success, seeing children with physical and sensory impairments taking part at the event held at The Peak, Stirling. Pupils from P1 – S6 in mainstream schools travelled from across Central Scotland to take part in a variety of sports such as Boccia, Tennis, Swimming, Athletics, Football, Bowls, Judo, Cycling, Goalball, wheelchair curling and Basketball delivered by local sports clubs, national coaches and GB athletes.
The event was a great triumph, hosted in the new venue of the Peak it offered new and exciting sports on the day. Strong partnerships from Forth Valley Disability Sport, Active Stirling, Falkirk Community Trust and Clackmannanshire Council supported the identification of pupils attending this years event. A workshop was also held by SDS Chair Janice Eaglesham for parents, P.E teachers and Active schools coordinators to gain additional insight into subjects such as disability inclusion, pathways and classification.
Inspirational speeches closed the event from local para athletes Meggan Dawson Farrell (2014 Commonwealth wheelchair racer) and Kevin Simpson (wheelchair tennis Paralympian). These athletes hoped to inspire the next generation of athletes from the Central belt.
Cheryl Willet (SDS Regional Development Manager for Central Scotland) said: “The event was a great success and a worthwhile experience for not only many pupils engaging in sports they may never have tried before, but also their parents and teachers alike. The message is certainly getting out there that the pathway from participation to performance for athletes with a disability is in place within Central, from a local level to an international level. Most of all, it has been great to see so many pupils with a physical and sensory disability in mainstream schools engage in the sports, have fun, and potentially move up the pathway.
A special thank you Active Stirling for hosting this years event as well as Forth Valley Disability Sport, Falkirk Community Trust, Clackmannanshire Council, Scottish Athletics, Tennis Scotland, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Cycling, RCCC, Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club, Basketball Scotland, Forth Valley Flyers, Falkirk indoor Bowling club, MXP Judo, SFA, Denny High School and McLaren High school senior pupils, sportscotland and the Peak for their support.
To find out more about this event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:
Cheryl Willet – cheryl.willet@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360
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