Wednesday 23rd October saw the success of the 2019 Central Parasport Festival seeing children and young people with physical, visual and hearing 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, badminton, swimming, athletics, football, curling, and new sports of climbing and sailing, all delivered by local sports clubs, Trust/ SGB representatives, regional/national coaches and GB athletes.
The event was a great triumph, kindly hosted by Active Stirling and supported by the Celtic FC Foundation, it offered new and exciting sports on the day. Strong partnerships from Forth Valley Disability Sport, Falkirk Community Trust, Active Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council supported the identification of pupils attending this years event and future pathway opportunities.
We were delighted to welcome esteemed VIP representatives from the 3 local Councils, Trusts, FVDS Branch, sportscotland, Celtic FC Foundation sponsorships and local Councillors to showcase the impact and support of the event. Inspirational speeches closed the event from two-time GB Wheelchair Curling Paralympian Bob MacPherson and 2014 Scotland Commonwealth Games athlete Meggan Dawson Farrell, both sharing their personal experience through disability sport and coaching the pupils on the day.
Cheryl Lappin (SDS Regional Development Manager for Central Scotland) said: “The event was a fantastic 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 there is opportunities and pathways in place for all pupils with a disability 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 sports, have fun, and potentially move up the pathway”.
A special thank you to the Celtic FC Foundation for supporting this years event, as well as hosts Active Stirling, Forth Valley Disability Sport, Falkirk Community Trust, Clackmannanshire Council, Scottish Swimming, Badminton Scotland, Scottish Boccia, Scottish Curling, British Curling, Forth Valley Flyers, Central Athletics, Riverside Powerchair Football club, Falkirk Football Foundation, Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club, Sailing representatives, Arion Swimming Club, Denny High School senior pupils, Stirling University volunteers, sportscotland and the Active Stirling and the Peak staff for all their support
To find out more about this event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact: Cheryl Lappin – cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360.
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