Ontrack apr may17 issuu

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April / May 2017 • Issue 7

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 YOUR DISABILITY SPORTS MAGAZINE

The UK’s best events on two wheels

MARATHON low-down PARALYMPIC NUTRITION What’s on the sporting greats’ plates

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 APRIL / MAY 2017 • ISSUE 7

Welcome Happy birthday to us! Your disability sports magazine, OnTrack, is a year old.

It has been a whirlwind 12 months since the UK’s only disability sports magazine got off the starter’s block with a pledge to bring you news and views about the latest health and fitness trends while showcasing emerging new sport and exercise opportunities for people who have a disability.

From goalball for blind and partially-sighted people, to caving for wheelchair users and riding on the crest of a wave as an adaptive surfer, OnTrack has celebrated some of the nation’s more obscure disability sports and has shared the trials and triumphs of some of the UK’s most decorated para-athletes.

We have discovered: child golf prodigy, Tomy Morrissey (pictured on our first cover); science behind the running blade and the thrils of sky-diving.

We have been buoyed by the warmth with which OnTrack has been received by subscribers, as well as the enthusiasm of the growing number of contributors who are keen to parade on its pages their passion for all things sport.

The benefits sporting activities bring to health and wellbeing are well documented, but in this issue disability rights activist Michael McEwan applauds the achievements sport can bring to disabled people who are using their involvement as a means of making new friends and increasing social interaction. See page 41.

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We also meet senior nutritionist Sophie Killer, whose expertise and unrivalled knowledge is keeping GB’s elite Paralympians on top of their game. Turn to page 15 to learn how what’s on their plate is making them great.

New columnist Azeem Amir charts the latest developments in his quest to become a blind football internationalist, while first-time OnTrack contributor and international disability sports ambassador Mark Bullock gives us an insight into how tennis is helping form bonds for displaced people in European refugee camps.

Adam Storer introduces us to Team GB Deaf Football manager, Dean Humphreys, who hopes to lead his men to victory in the Deaflympics in Turkey this July.

Mike Kerr swaps whelelchair rugby for wheelchair racing and club throwing on page 23, while we turn the focus on powerlifting club The Suffolk Spartans on page 28.

Make a splash by taking the plunge with open water swimming (page 38) and read all about the latest sports tech products to hit the market this spring on page 35.

New to OnTrack? See what you’ve been missing.

Sign up today for your free-of-charge publication on page 50.

Until June…

N i T

Follow us on Twitter @OnTrack_Mag

THE TEAM

CONTACT

DISCLAIMER

Acting Editor: Niki Tennant Staff Writer: Lisa Mitchell Staff Writer: Colette Carr Designer: Stephen Flanagan Marketing: Sophie Scott Sales: Nisha Sran Contributors: Azeem Amir, Mark Bullock, Michael McEwan, Adam Storer

Caledonia House, Evanton Drive, Thornliebank Ind. Est., Glasgow, G46 8JT

OnTrack Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Ltd.

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Tel: 0141 465 2960 Fax: 0141 258 7783

The views expressed in OnTrack Magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher.

enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk www.ontrackmagazine.co.uk

Copyright 2017 © 2A Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ISSN 2398-3299

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 APRIL / MAY 2017 • ISSUE 7

Contents 12

07 The Inside Track

26 Crossing the Sahara

12 Wheelpower

28 Sports Club Focus

15 You Are What You Eat

31 Top of the Table

19 Making Some Noise About The Silent Game

32 Building A Bond For Displaced People

21 Come Dancing With The Inverclyders

35 Sports Tech

Keeping you up-to-date with all the current sports news We find out more about the national charity for wheelchair sport British Athletics nutritionist, Sophie Killer, speaks about the importance of an athlete’s diet GB deaf football's Deaflympics hopes

Consider getting your groove on with the Greenock Inverclyders Wheelchair Dancing team

23 Rugby to Racing

Paralympian Mike Kerr on his new sports

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Double amputee, Duncan Slater, prepares for his second attempt at the Marathon de Sables Learn more about powerlifting with The Suffolk Spartans What makes the UK's most accessible football grounds open to all?

Disability sports ambassador, Mark Bullock, explains the role sport can play for refugees The latest sports products to up your game

37 Mountain Trike

Hear how the multi-purpose wheelchair gave Amanda Davidson a new lease of life

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5 28 46 38 Have You Tried…

Open-water swimming? If you’re a strong pool swimmer, this could be your next adventure

41 Disability Sport and Friendship

Disability rights activist, Michael McEwan, explains the importance of friendships fostered from sport

42 Azeem Amir

Meet our new columnist, the talented blind footballer Azeem

46 Ryan Raghoo

The talented long jumper and sprinter is looking to help other ‘Enabled Athletes’ reach their goals

49 Marathons

Make sure you have these accessible events saved in your diary

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| 5 04/04/2017 14:34

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The Inside Track  Keeping you up-to-date with what’s happening in the world of disability sport

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Diamond Geezers, Airdrie FC, get support for their sensory room from celebs

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New book puts discrimination in sport under the microscope A new book, bringing together international perspectives on the wide-spread problem of discrimination in sport and how it can be tackled, has been published by a Leeds Beckett University academic. Despite campaigns to educate and increase awareness, discrimination continues to be a deeprooted problem in sport. Sport and Discrimination, edited by Dr Daniel Kilvington, senior lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at Leeds Beckett University, and Dr John Price, senior lecturer and programme leader for BA (Hons) Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland, offers international perspectives on the problem of discrimination and potential ways of contesting and challenging this. Drawing on examples from football, rugby, cricket, tennis, climbing, the Olympics and the Paralympics, the authors analyse current debates and discuss the latest research on the changing nature of discrimination in sport. Taking into account the experiences of athletes and coaches across all performance levels, it presents recommendations for action and future research.

Wings for Life World Run returns The Wings for Life World Run is a synchronised charity race in Cambridge on 4 May which brings together runners of all levels around the world to run simultaneously, no matter what time of the day it is in their location. Whether you think you can run 2km or 88km, Wings for Life sees over 130,000 participants of all abilities in 23 countries run day or night across six continents.

Registration is now open for groups and individuals to sign up for the 2017 race in Cambridge with 100% of the entry fee going towards spinal cord research. No matter where they live, runners of all levels can sign up for the location of their choice. Register to take part in the world’s largest synchronised race. For more, including registration information and location updates, visit www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com.

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Charity cyclist, David Davenport, embarks on a 1,100-mile trek

Judy smashes wheelchair fears with the power of tennis

THE SENSORY EXPERIENCE OF ICE SKATING

The acoustics of the ice rink, the cool temperature and the sensation of smoothly skating or being pushed in a wheelchair over the ice are all very unique sensory experiences for people with sight and hearing impairments and complex needs.

National disability charity Sense has teamed up with Centre404, a charity that supports people with learning difficulties, to develop a programme of ice skating sessions accessible to people with sight and hearing impairments and those with complex needs.

The programme, designed for individuals aged 14 and over, has been made possible following a Sport England grant of £424,958 which was awarded to Sense to increase opportunities for people with deafblindness to participate in sport and physical activity through its ‘Sporting Sense’ project.

Sense will deliver a number of activities across London until May 2018. The project will influence the development and delivery of local physical activity plans, which will include working alongside deafblind people.

The acoustics of the ice rink, the cool temperature and the sensation of smoothly skating or being pushed in a wheelchair over the ice are all very unique sensory experiences for people with sight and hearing impairments and complex needs.

For more information, email Taylor.huxster@sense.org.uk or call 020 7014 9365.

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SPORTS NEWS

Airdrieonians FC fans are diamond geezers Children with sensory process disorders such as autism can attend football matches in comfort thanks to the launch of Airdrieonians’ Diamond Sensory Room. Airdrieonian FC has become the first club in Scotland to open such a facility, which is the brainchild of the club’s commercial manager Dougie Allsop and Youth Academy coach Stevie Burr. Stevie has a son with autism and approached Dougie to see what could be done. With the help of the Supporters’ Club and other fans, the club opened The Diamond Sensory Room. While some equipment has already been purchased, the aim is to raise £10,000 to install specialised accessories in the room. A-list celebrities Ricky Gervais, Mark Hamill and William Shatner have signed Airdrieonians strips to help raise cash. Tom Hanks and Eric Idle

are among others who have signed strips to be auctioned on eBay. Airdrie fan Mary Brogan, whose son Arran benefitted when fellow supporters came together to create a dream garden for him, dubbed ‘The Diamonds’ as “a wee club with a big heart.” Mary, who has set up a Justgiving page for the Diamond Sensory Room, said: “Huge thanks go to the club and stadium company, who are forfeiting valuable money by giving up one of the hospitality suites for the sensory room. It proves once again that when money is not the only driver, football clubs can play a valuable role in the community.” www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ thediamondsensoryroomproject

Disability is not a barrier to golf The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership (SDGP) is set to tee off its 2017 season at the Silverknowes Golf Club in the capital on April 5 and 6, hosted by Edinburgh Leisure. More than two dozen days of golf are already confirmed and with more still to be added there are many more opportunities for disabled people to take up the game and compete both locally, nationally and internationally. The SDGP will also host the Scottish Open in St Andrews in August, where up to 80 disabled players from across the world will compete for the coveted Sidey Cup, at the Fairmont, St Andrews Bay. Additionally, there are 12 national Open Championships across Europe and others in the USA and Australasia open to disabled golfers of any age.

For more information on Scotland’s diary and free golf lessons for disabled golfers, visit www.sdgp.org.uk

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GPs want patients to get on their bikes GPs are backing plans to prescribe cycling lessons for patients.

The social prescribing trial is part of the Cycle Go campaign by Kingston London Borough Council to encourage more cycling.

Under the public health scheme, GPs and other clinicians including physiotherapists and mental health professionals will be able to refer patients with a variety of health conditions including diabetes, weight problems, mental health problems, high blood pressure and inactive lifestyles.

Patients will benefit from a free 12-week course with professional cycle coaches and qualified instructors with free use of bikes, group rides to scenic places, gym exercise and assessments.

Surrey and Sussex LMCs chief executive Dr Julius Parker said the scheme was a ‘very positive’ move which was part of the wider local agenda to encourage better public health.

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SPORTS NEWS

Team Scotland is Canadabound for curling cup A team of disabled curlers have travelled from Scotland to take on a challenge laid down by colleagues in Canada.

The inaugural ‘International Curling Challenge Cup’ was played over one week and consisted of matches between blind, vision impaired and disabled curlers from both nations, as well as exhibition games alongside non-disabled curlers. Eight games were played over six days and involved people with all types of disabilities. Disabled Curlers Scotland is the only curling group in the world to involve and encourage anyone with any type of disability, and of any age, to take up the game. Team Scotland consisted of Steven Cunningham of Clackmananshire (skip), Jim Gales MBE of Springfield, Jim Thomson of Millport and Bob Drysdale of Tayport, who travelled to Hamilton Ontario, playing at the Simcoe and Granite ice rinks. Skip Cunningham said: “We sent three visionimpaired curlers to Winnipeg As in 2010, we in 2010 to experience curling sourced our own ‘tournis,’ but this was our first funding for this team effort and against some good players from Ontario. As trip through Disabled in 2010, we sourced our own Curlers Scotland and funding for this trip through have received Disabled Curlers Scotland and some fantastic have received some fantastic support support.”

David saddles up for charity

Cycling UK member David Davenport will have the backing of two sporting legends with very different backgrounds when he embarks on a 1,100-mile charity bike ride. Tanni Grey-Thompson and Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty are both supporting David, whose efforts will raise money for the Lake District Calvert Trust – a residential centre for disabled people which provides adventure activities such as inclusive cycling.

Baroness Grey-Thompson, one of Britain’s greatest Paralympians, and ‘Foggy’, the undisputed king of World Superbike racing and a keen mountain biker, have both said they will retweet David’s ride reports. The fund-raiser will cycle a circuit taking in three Calvert Trust centres – at Keswick, on Exmoor and in the Kielder Forest – and he would warmly welcome any disabled cyclists and Cycling UK members who would like to meet up or ride with him during his 17-day journey. David will set off from the Keswick Centre, where he has worked as a volunteer for two years, on 7 May. Camping each night, and riding a Pinnacle Arkose 4, the 54-year-old will finish back in the Lake District on 23 May. threecentresbikeride@gmail.com mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/3cbr

Riding on the crest of a wave

Scottish surf school Surfable Scotland is gearing up to become the country’s only fully inclusive surf school as plans to expand get underway. Established only 18 months ago by autism charity Friendly Access and Riding High surf school, Surfable Scotland offers surfing to those with hidden disabilities and autism.

They have welcomed 100 surfers and now want to be the first Scottish school to cater for surfers with physical disabilities and mobility difficulties.

Image: James Stevens, Surfable Scotland

Water enthusiasts ride the waves at Moray’s picturesque Lossiemouth beach and have another base along the coast at Sandend, but keen surfers are prepared to travel up to four hours north for the two-hour sessions, highlighting both the good work and demand. Friendly Access chief executive Glyn Morris said: “Our area of expertise is autism, but our aim is to also become an adaptive surf school.”

For more information, visit www.friendlyaccess.org.

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SPORTS NEWS

Tournament to fund Game, set and match stars of tomorrow How Judy took up

Charity Path to Success is staging a Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at the iconic Olympic Park to raise funds for UK disability sport and pave the way to Tokyo 2020 for the Wheelchair Basketball stars of tomorrow. All proceeds from the tournament will go towards buying specially modified sports wheelchairs, court hire, match fees, transport and coaching for the London Titans Wheelchair Basketball Club, which has produced more than 50 Team GB players in its history but receives no central sports funding. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who won an incredible 11 gold medals in a glittering Paralympic career, is supporting the event, which hopes to inspire the next generation of Team GB Paralympic stars. Corporate teams are being invited to take part in the tournament on May 16 at the Copper Box Arena in the Olympic Park. This will be an opportunity to take part in a unique team-building challenge while supporting an incredibly worthy cause. To take part, each team is being asked for a minimum donation of £5,000. Path to Success is looking for teams of a minimum of six to eight players to take to the court and pit their skills against Team GB Paralympians at the Copper Box Arena as they strive to be crowned the Wheelchair Basketball Corporate Champions. Participating teams will receive expert coaching from Ade Adepitan and Team GB bronze medallist Gaz Choudhry, as well as current players including: Matt Sealy, Fi Tilman and Christy Gregan. Current players will also be taking to the court to show off their skills.

To enter the tournament, contact Nasim Malhotra: Nasim.malhotra@pathtosuccess.org.uk

Everton FC nets ‘Disability Confident Employer’ status

Everton has become the first football club in the country to be granted the status of ‘Disability Confident Employer’. The award was made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as part of the Disability Confident scheme. The scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. Everton is the first football club to reach the second level of the Disability Confident scheme, earning the club the status of a ‘Disability Confident Employer’. As a sign of Everton’s commitment to employing disabled people, the club will display the Disability Confident logo on all recruitment adverts going forward. Everton’s deputy chief executive and director, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, hailed it a fantastic achievement which confirms Everton’s commitment to employing, supporting and promoting the best people for the job irrespective of their disabilities.

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tennis and smashed her wheelchair fears

When Judy Turner was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she was “terrified about eventually ending up in a wheelchair.” But the 65-year-old former nurse fought back and faced her fears – by taking up wheelchair tennis. Judy is still able to climb the stairs in her home, albeit at a slow pace. Knowing that a wheelchair will become part of her life sooner or later, she wanted to get a head start by getting used to it in a fun way. With no previous tennis experience and further impaired by the loss of one eye from a white water rafting accident eight years ago, Judy is a determined and inspirational individual. She now regularly serves up a treat at Spytty Park in Newport which stages wheelchair tennis.

Explained Judy: “I was inspired to try the sport after watching wheelchair tennis at the Paralympics – those people are amazing!

I was terrified about being in a wheelchair when I found out about my MS, but wheelchair tennis made me look at it differently. Because it’s a sport, you don’t feel disabled or like an old lady stuck in a wheelchair. It’s helping me prepare for the time when I might need a wheelchair myself.”

As someone who clearly likes to plan ahead, Judy has also made changes to her three-bedroom barn conversion home in Ross-onWye by widening doors and installing a Stiltz Trio home lift. Reluctant to move to a bungalow and keen to continue to use all of the home she loves, Judy added: “The lift has already made my life so much easier. It’s been the best decision.”

That, and taking up wheelchair tennis, of course.

Entries open for National VI youth swimming gala Charity British Blind Sport (BBS) has announced that the annual National Visually Impaired (VI) Youth Swimming Gala will be held on Saturday, May 6 at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre in Solihull. The event is free to enter for all blind and partially sighted children aged between eight and 17. It is the only VI specific youth swimming competition in the UK. In addition to the main competition, this year for the first time BBS will be offering one-to-one and small group swimming lessons for five to seven year olds, delivered by qualified coaches with experience of working with people with visual impairments. A team of volunteer ‘tappers’ will stand at the end of the pool and use a pole to tap the swimmers when they approach the wall, indicating when the swimmer should turn or end the race. If you wish to sign up or would like to find out more, contact Lauren Impey at BBS. Call 07929 356428 or email Lauren at participation@britishblindsport.org.uk.

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WHEELPOWER

BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORT

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s the national charity for wheelchair sport, WheelPower aims to provide, promote and develop opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity and lead healthy active lives.

For over 60 years, Wheelpower has provided wide-ranging opportunities for people with physical impairments to take part in sport for rehabilitation, competition and fun. Based in Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, WheelPower is at the heart of wheelchair sport.

From first-timers to Paralympic medallists, the charity supports and promotes participation at all levels. WheelPower has seen how playing sport can enrich lives, offering tremendous physical and psychological benefits, whatever your

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WheelPower encourages and supports wheelchair users to be active where they want to be active, in the activities they want to do and with those who they want to be active with.

The current landscape: One in five people in England have an impairment which equates to around 9.4 million disabled people. There are between 546,200 and 726,000 wheelchair users, which is approximately 5% -7% of the disabled population. age or ability. While sport can develop confidence and improve fitness, it’s also a great way to put a smile on the faces of those taking part.

As a charity that has sport and physical activity at its heart, and with a stated vision to transform lives through sport,

Latest figures from Sport England reveal that only 16.2% of people with a physical impairment take part in sport for 30 minutes once a week compared to 39.9% of non-disabled people. This highlights that a person with a physical impairment is half as likely to take part in sport as a

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WHEELPOWER

non-disabled person.

WheelPower carried out a national survey in 2016 to find out what activities wheelchair users currently take part in, what they would like to try or do more of in the future, the motivation and barriers to them being active and how they could best support them. They gained views from wheelchair users who didn’t currently take part in any sport as well as those who already lead active lives.

The survey highlighted: A lack of suitable opportunities (or not knowing about opportunities) and a lack of accessible venues were identified as the top barriers that can prevent wheelchair users from taking part in sport and physical activity.

The cost of sports wheelchairs and adapted equipment often needed by wheelchair users to take part in sport also continues to be a significant barrier.

More than seven in 10 (74%) wheelchair users said they would like to be more active in the future.

Just over half of survey respondents (54%) travel for more than 30 minutes to take part in some form of sport or physical activity.

Survey respondents (29%) also highlighted

that travelling distance can be a barrier to being more active.

The results have shown that there is a clear need for sports providers to offer more local sport and physical activity opportunities which are accessible for wheelchair users.

WheelPower is currently using this insight to work with providers at all levels to help shape and improve the provision of wheelchair sport and activity.

WheelPower organises an annual programme of events as well as programmes in partnership with organisations such as national governing bodies of sport. These introduce people to wheelchair sport and support them to find a sport or activity that they are passionate about and enjoy.

During 2016 WheelPower helped and supported 105,245 disabled people access sport or physical activity through events and programmes at Stoke Mandeville Stadium as well as through their outreach work around the country. WheelPower works closely with a number of sports which range from archery to shooting and wheelchair fencing to table tennis and these all provide a great way for wheelchair users to discover sport.

They offer taster opportunities and coaching in a safe, welcoming and friendly environment and all activity is adapted to suit varying abilities.

9.4 million

If you want to find out more about WheelPower or are interested in getting active please have a look at the website www.wheelpower.org.uk or contact them at info@wheelpower.org.uk / 01296 395995

Case Study: Jess Stretton Jess Stretton, who uses a wheelchair after being born with cerebral palsy entered the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games as the youngest Para archer (aged 16) and one of the top ranked in the new women’s W1 division and left as a two-time gold medallist.

A little bit of fun ended with Jess becoming a Paralympic champion.

By her own admission, she only took up archery on a casual basis after having a go at it at a WheelPower Junior sports camp in 2012 aged only 12. She soon fell in love with the sport. Since discovering the sport, Jess quickly progressed on to Archery GB’s performance pathway and claimed her first international gold medal at her first attempt at the 2014 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

Through her involvement with WheelPower’s junior sport programme she has found a sport that she is very talented at, and by applying the level of dedication to training that she has, has achieved extraordinary things at such a young age.

The amount of people living in the UK who are disabled

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NUTRITION

S

ophie Killer is a senior performance nutritionist for British Athletics.

The 29-year-old has worked with Britain’s elite athletes for two years and feels it is a job she was born for. Based in Loughborough, it is her responsibility to take care of Olympic and Paralympic stars alike, ensuring that a good diet and wise food choices materialise into medals, especially when the 2017 World Championships, in London, are right around the corner. Here, Sophie tells us just how much food plays a part in the nation’s pride. ›

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NUTRITION

Have you always had an passion for food?

I’ve always been very into cooking and I think that really consolidated my interest when I was doing my undergraduate in Sports and Exercise Science, learning about how food can impact metabolism and have such a significant impact on performance. When you do a degree like that, it’s all very scientific and you don’t really talk about food that much, you talk about macronutrients and micronutrients, etc, but I think having an interest in food and cooking helps bring that to life and helps you apply the science to practical food terms, which is what the athletes need.

training as quickly as possible and lots more.

Another part of my role also includes nutrition education, so I run kitchen coaching classes to try and get athletes to learn some cooking skills. It’s amazing how some people just don’t have confidence in the kitchen and it’s all well and good me saying, “you need to go home and eat this, this and this” but if they don’t know how to make it, it’s a complete flaw in the system. We have a really lovely teaching kitchen in Loughborough, I’ll have open sessions or athletes to come along and cook up a treat together.

With the Paralympics being every four years, when would you say the real hard work begins?

I think if you spoke to the Paralympians, they would say they work hard all the time and there is some truth to that.

Although Tokyo is three and a half years SOPHIE HELPS EILTE away, we have such a massive summer, ATHLETES MANAGE with the World Championships, there AND IMPROVE THEIR isn’t any moment where they take their OUTLOOK ON FOOD foot off the gas. I know that a lot of them had a really nice holiday after Rio and had a good break, but they come back and from that day it is full gas again. We are preparing for Tokyo right now. We I am also involved in taking athletes’ started preparing for Tokyo before Rio bloods and analysing that for had even finished in terms of our science performance and health markers. Four and medical support strategies. From the times a year, myself and a physiologist day that the athlete walks in the door will collect all the athletes’ blood samples after their post-Rio break, we are on that and analyse them in the lab for things like Tokyo trajectory and it will have peaks and troughs as seasons go by. Whether it’s iron and vitamin D, just to make sure that the chances or risk of illness and injury Worlds, Europeans or Commonwealth’s is low and that the opportunity for peak next year, there is always something that performance is optimal. we are focusing on and certainly Tokyo is always in the back of our minds.

I work really closely with the medical team and the therapy team to try and get athletes to return to training as quickly as possible if there has been an injury or a niggle. If we have athletes who are prone No day is really typical, but part of my to certain injuries or conditions, or some role involves working one-to-one with of the wheelchair racers get pressure the athletes working on maximising sores for example, we try and work really adaptations from training sessions, proactively to make sure that doesn’t working on performance nutrition happen, so they can get 100% out of strategies or helping them recover from every training session, so no day is lost. injury or illness to try and get them back

What is a typical day like for you?

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Do you have any food and nutritional tips for anyone who is thinking about taking their sport or fitness more seriously or even professionally?

Probably the most important thing is that you don’t get caught up in fad diets and supplements because there is so much potential to be had from just a healthy balanced diet. A lot of athletes really miss that point and supplements can be like the cherry on top of the cake and if your cake is a load of rubbish then the supplement is going to do absolutely nothing. So, what I do with all my athletes is make sure that the foundations of their general diet are optimal in terms of the types of food they are having. So plenty of good sources of protein throughout the day, we play around with carbohydrates to make sure they have enough energy for training, but then make sure they aren’t eating too much carbohydrates away from training because they provide so much energy. If they aren’t burning that off then they will really struggle to get their body composition optimal.

Basically, teaching them about healthy fats and that kind of thing.

How important would you say a nutritionist’s role is?

Nutrition plays such an important role at this level. Athletes train so hard for so many hours a day but aside from that sleeping and eating are really important.

You eat three meals a day, so if you count how many that is from now until Tokyo that’s going to be 3,636 meals and, if you can make an impact with that number of meals, that can have a very significant contribution.

Talk us through the menu for London 2017.

It will be buffet-style and the reason we always have buffet-style at competitions is so that each individual athlete can pick and choose exactly what they need. If it is menu-style then each of the athletes will be served exactly the same amount of food and exactly the same combination

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NUTRITION

of different types of macronutrients on their plate.

A really big part of what we do is make sure that the mealtimes are appropriate.

At London, there are going to be really long days and for the Paralympians they will be doing a lot of different events, so they could be racing two or three times a day and over quite a few days in a row. It is really important that when that athlete needs to eat, when it is optimal for their recovery, that they can actually get some hot food or get an appropriate meal. The meal timings are a really important part of the collaboration with the event and the hotel.

The other important thing is the kind if food you are delivering so, for example, we know that they are going to need really high-energy food to fuel them, they are going to need good sources of protein and healthy fats. If athletes are having a taper, where their training volume will go down before competition as a way of recovering before racing then their energy expenditure goes down, so you don’t want them eating like they usually would. If they aren’t training as much because then they might put on weight, which is quite possibly what you have been battling with for the six months leading into the event. We have to be really careful about providing lower calorie-rich foods, so there will always be a salad bar and soups, etc.

We try and get high antioxidant diets, because we know that antioxidants can help the immune system and help recovery, there will always be loads of fresh fruit and vegetables and smoothies, enough to slip in those micronutrients into the athletes’ diet.

In addition to the meals, we’ll have a snack station, somewhere they can get snacks in an athlete lounge to go and relax and get some food. They will provide things like high-protein yogurts, fruit, oat-based cereal bars or flapjacks, toast, bagels, etc.

Will the athletes’ meal times be restricted?

Sometimes they are really strict. We have been to competitions where it has been very difficult for the athletes to eat, but if the coaches can make a request a reasonable amount of time beforehand,

Probably the most important thing is that you don’t get caught up in fad diets and supplements because there is so much potential to be had from just a healthy balanced diet... then the kitchens can plate up food and leave for athletes if they are going to be getting back late. But, we put in strategies in place to make sure that wouldn’t happen. For example, we use something like a Pot Noodle, but one specifically for athletes that’s by a company called Sports Kitchen. They make these healthy Pot Noodle-style meals, which are really handy for us at the stadium. Take Hannah Cockroft for example. If she was racing late and it was in a final and she wins, she will probably have to go into anti-doping and maybe there is a medal ceremony,

she might not get back to the village until midnight.

If she’s racing again the next day, the last thing we want her to do is then sit up in the dining room for another hour.

So we can use these athlete ‘Pot Noodles’ and they can eat them at the stadium or on the bus on the way home. They can get some good recovery and nutrition and they can just go straight to bed. We try to make food really efficient at competitions because time is really restricted. 

magazine.co.uk

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03/04/2017 14:52

DEAF SPORT

Making some noise about the silent game

By Adam Storer

D

ean Humphreys is a profoundly deaf 53-year-old traffic technician with the London Borough of Hounslow.

He struggles to speak, but largely communicates by lip reading or British Sign Language (BSL).

He is also a former trophy-winning central defender and will be hoping to guide his Great Britain men’s team to gold at the Deaflympics in Samsun in July.

But, they do not receive any funding from the National Lottery and must raise £125,000 before flying to Turkey or face withdrawing from the second oldest multi-sport and cultural festival in the world, behind the Olympic Games.

He grew up idolising World Cup-winning defender Bobby Moore and had trials at Southend United and Colchester United, but was unfortunate to not make the grade.

After playing with friends every two weeks in Romford and Harold Wood, Humphreys was thrust into the unknown world of deaf football, earning success as a player, including winning the Euro Deaf Champions League twice, and as a coach, picking up gold at the Melbourne 2005 Deaflympic Games with Great Britain.

After taking six years away from the international stage, Dean has returned to the GB team and will now hope to lead them to more glory in July.

It has not been easy to manage the side upon his return, with training just once a month, normally along with a match, and always at a different location.

In February, they were at Brentwood, then they headed to Wigan, before stopping off

I am worried about not making the money for Turkey, because we need over another £11,000 to pay the final payment or we cannot go... at Peterborough, Eversham, Manchester and Reading prior to the Deaflympics.

receipts going towards helping to send the GB team to the Deaflympics.

Getting all the team in one place is a challenge as well, with the 27 players under Humphreys’ wing hailing from cities across Great Britain including London, Doncaster, Manchester, Sunderland, Glasgow and Belfast.

Former Bolton Wanderers striker Davies, whose father was deaf and played for the Great Britain Deaf Football team in the 1950s, was joined by other former professionals, including Titus Bramble, Neil Mellor, Lee Hendrie, Danny Higginbotham, Emmerson Boyce and Lee Trundle, to narrowly beat the GBDF team 3-2.

But if you think this or their disability hinders them, then you will be quite surprised, as was Bedfont and Feltham manager Aaron Morgan, who was “shell-shocked” after his side lost 7-1 to the GBDF men’s side.

There is, however, one more stumbling block if they wish to compete in Turkey. They need to raise £125,000 to cover costs for accommodation, flights and training for the men’s and women’s teams, by April 16.

This has caused sleepless nights for Humphreys, who said: “I am worried about not making the money for Turkey, because we need over another £11,000 to pay the final payment or we cannot go.”

They are relying heavily on the generosity of their supporters, with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville donating £20,000 for 2017, while they played a charity match against a Kevin Davies XI with 100% of the gate

The FA has also given them £40,000 for the year, but the Deaflympics squad does not receive a single penny from the National Lottery.

Despite the many challenges and obstacles that hinder him on his journey as the GB Deaf Football manager, Humphreys is “very proud to be GB manager and hope all of you support GB Deaflympics. It was called ‘silent game’ but today it is more competitive all around the world.”

If you would like to help get Humphreys and the rest of the GB Deaf Football squad to Turkey, you can find their fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamGBDF and you can also follow them on Twitter @GB_DeafFootball.

magazine.co.uk

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| 19 04/04/2017 14:03

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04/04/2017 14:41

INVERCLYDERS

Come dancing with the Inverclyders G reenock’s Inverclyders wheelchair dancing team are looking for leaders and dancers alike to dust off their dancing shoes, take to the floor and help get the club strictly back on top.

Elizabeth of the Scottish Wheelchair Dance Association is treasurer and previously coached a team of children at Capability Scotland’s Corseford School while her daughter dances with the Inverclyders.

Elizabeth Sim of the Inverclyders explained that while they held a recent event to attract new members, they are still on the hunt for new dancers to join them at their Port Glasgow classes.

But while she has a wealth of experience in the sport, Elizabeth is keen for someone else to take up the mantle with the club that prides itself on its high standards of expertise and technique.

“They’ve lost their leader because she’s retired so they now need someone to lead the team, and one or two of the team are in their 50s and their shoulders are tired from pushing their wheelchairs so they’re not going to continue, so we’re looking for new blood,” she explained.

“There are other groups that allow people to push someone in a chair our people are all self-propelled in either powerchairs or a manual one, so ours is very technical and quite skilful compared to others.

“So, we are looking for both dancers and someone who may interested in leading a

team,” she added.

With wheelchair dancing having been in Scotland for over 60 years and the Inverclyders over 40, the club are keen to find a new generation of dancers to keep the sport alive at a time where it appears to be dropping off.

And with training only once a week and the chance to compete in Blackpool every second year, Elizabeth believes it is an opportunity not to be missed for wheelchair users looking to get active.

She said: “It’s a great means of enjoyment, exercising and socialising and it is run purely by those who enjoy it and want to stay in it, so it makes a real community feel.”

we are looking for both dancers and someone who may interested in leading a team

magazine.co.uk

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| 21 04/04/2017 12:37

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03/04/2017 14:56

MIKE KERR

PARALYMPIAN KERR

OPENS

MIKE UP

A

IN

SUCCESSFUL

HIS

SPORTING

NEW

AS

BEGINS

HE

CHAPTER

CAREER

Rugby to racing I

n one of my first training sessions with athletics I took all the skin off the back of my hands because it’s constant pushing - you don’t do anything but!

And the coaches kept asking, ‘Why did you continue? Why didn’t you stop?’, and I said, ‘Well, that’s not what you do, you keep going,’ you know? You don’t just stop because you’ve got a wee bit of skin off the back of your knuckles,” double Paralympian Mike Kerr mused.

This hardened resolve of a resilient athlete is no accident.

The ex-wheelchair rugby international has trained, played and fought through painful injuries on the court for the past 14 years, mentally and physically turning him into a complete and determined competitor.

After all, it isn’t dubbed ‘murderball’ for nothing.

But now, a year after preparing for Rio

2016 trials, the 34-year-old is swapping the rough and readiness and team bond of rugby for the focus and independence of wheelchair racing and club throwing with British Athletics.

After picking up the post of vice captain for London 2012 before being handed the captaincy in 2014, he then got his second Paralympic nod for Rio in 2016.

But now he’s stepped back from GB rugby and is looking at Paralympic pastures new.

“It was always my intention to step down from the rugby squad after Rio – it felt like the time was right,” he explained.

“I had set my mind to leaving and looking at other options, but the transition’s been fairly slow to be honest. I haven’t jumped in wholeheartedly yet, I’ve just been doing a few sessions with the GB head coach so it’s been fairly relaxed. 

“It was always my intention to step down from the rugby squad after Rio – it felt like the time was right...”

magazine.co.uk | 23

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04/04/2017 14:07

MIKE KERR

Basically, if you’re on the world class programme for one sport, you can transfer onto the world class performance level of another anywhere across the board... club rugby for Glasgow and West Coast “I’ve always been interested in racing Crash in Southport, something he is but I’ve never had the opportunity glad of. to try because I’ve been so busy with rugby, but just basically for the Moving from a team sport to individual fact that it’s an individual sport I can events could be unnerving, but while it concentrate on myself and not have is a bit of a culture shock, the focused to worry about others, so it’s up to athlete hasn’t let it affect him. me whether I perform or not so that was the main reason for choosing these.”

Helping the Lanarkshire athlete make the switch is Talent Transfer, who have been instrumental in assisting the Paralympian make the transition as MIKE HAD A smooth and comfortable B E E N A S T A L W A R T as possible.

IN THE GB He said: “Basically, if PARALYMPICS you’re on the world class SINCE COMPETING programme for one sport, I N L O N D O N A N D you can transfer onto the R I O world class performance level of another anywhere across the board, and you get around a year to see if you’re any “It is different obviously because in a good - a bumper period to see. team sport you get the banter with the “Talent Transfer help you through guys and a laugh so it’s different from the process. They help with anything that point of view, and although all the you need, as there is a big difference athletes are training at the same time between the sports. everybody’s training individually so it is completely different.

“They got me funding for my own racing chair and they measured me “It can be a wee bit lonely at times up for that, which is a massive help but on the whole it’s fine. If I’m being because it’s a lot of money to find on honest, the training is pretty similar. For my own, it would have been difficult the racing, there’s more distance stuff, but their funding this has been a you still do it in rugby but it tends to be massive help.” shorter, sharper stuff, whereas in racing After years of travelling to training its more distance and endurance, but camps with GB Wheelchair Rugby, not overall you do the same strength and being in amongst the squad has been conditioning and everything.” strange, but it helps that he hasn’t quit But the experience and steely mental the sport completely and is still playing and physical mettle he has gained from

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over a decade of murderball only fuels his drive in the athletics world.

“Because I have experience of competing at an elite level for so long I know what’s required. I’ve not come into racing brand new having never competed at a high level so that’s not something I need to get used to.

“There probably isn’t any other sport like wheelchair rugby, it certainly toughens you up and makes you a bit more resilient.

“You’re used to pushing your body to the limit. And mentally it makes you stronger too, it’s a tough sport where you get injured and you play with injuries – it’s just one of those things, just part of sport.”

Despite entering the track and field arena at the seasoned age of 34, he maintains he is still a competitive athlete with the hunger and ambition to succeed.

And having already tasted the games twice, Mike is keen to establish himself in athletics at Paralympic level too.

“I haven’t really set myself any goals, but I’m just ready to start training properly, see if I enjoy it, if I’m any good at it.

“I’m really enjoying it, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and the GB head coach seems to think I’ve got a lot of potential which is nice to hear.

“Obviously, long term I would like to go to another Paralympics, which is a lot of work further down the line, but we’ll see if I get there!”

Grazed knuckles and all. 

magazine.co.uk

04/04/2017 14:08

sportscotland

the national agency for sport

Inspiring.

Inclusive.

Inverclyde. sportscotland aims to deliver sport for all and that’s precisely what this world class residential facility does

A

pril sees the opening of the sportscotland National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde in Largs, Ayrshire. The sporting hub, which has undergone a £12m transformation, has been refurbished with inclusivity front-of-mind, not just for athletes and staff but for visitors and spectators too. It is a facility which welcomes and caters for the needs of people at all levels of physical and sensory ability.

ancillary areas and the indoor sports facilities are completely seamless. Wider corridors ,door frames and communal areas combine with lip- and step-free transitions between spaces to offer ease of movement for everyone. Four extralarge lifts service all floors with minimal waiting time. These are designed to continue operating even in emergency situations, allowing for the safe evacuation of up to 120 wheelchair users within an hour.

Seamless transitions throughout

Accommodation that exceeds expectations

Access routes between accommodation,

The standard of residential facilities in the

Ads_OnTr_AprMay17.indd 25

ADVERTISING FEATURE

centre exceeds the current DDA mobility access requirements. Extras in each of the 60 bedrooms include additional floor space, extra-long beds, Sky Sports News and wi-fi access, thermostatic temperature control, noise-reducing acoustic design and easy access en-suite shower facilities. There are also a couple of rooms on each floor with hoists and adjoining facilities for carers.

Adaptable, exceptional facilities The equipment and environment at sportscotland National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde have been chosen and designed for ease of adaptation to the different needs of athletes. They include: • A cardio & weights suite • Multi-purpose studios • A multi-purpose sports hall • An FIG-standard gymnastics hall • Sports grounds & pitches • Plans for an outstanding 4-hole golf practice facility to open in 2018 All staff at the centre have been trained to understand the needs of visitors with varying levels of ability.

Eat…and drink in the views!

A healthy diet is an essential component of any athlete’s training so all dining facilities at Inverclyde offer high-quality, well-balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, freshly prepared on-site. The centre’s café bar, dining room, licensed bar and patio area all offer beautiful views of the grounds and the rolling Ayrshire countryside and seafront beyond – a truly inspiring setting for a truly inspiring facility!

For more information on sportscotland National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde, please visit www.nationalcentreinverclyde.org.uk

03/04/2017 14:53

SAHARA

Crossing the Sahara After becoming the first double leg amputee to ski to the South Pole, Duncan Slater (pictured) is chasing more record breaking feats.

B

ut the road was extremely testing to even get near to that stage.

Duncan had served in the RAF for over a decade when an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan blew up Duncan’s vehicle, leaving his right arm as the only unbroken part of his body in 2009.

there were over 300 people who applied for a spot in a team of four, so I was really lucky!

That was in 2013 and was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Even from trying to get into the team, I started pushing myself.

We then had a year of preparations. I had a real reason to keep training then.”

A mixture of spinal and leg injuries left doctors faced with telling Duncan that he may never walk again. Despite the spinal issues improving, his legs deteriorated after a year of rehab, meaning Duncan was left with a decision regarding double amputation. Making that choice, he now describes it as the best decision he had ever made.

Had you ever done anything like that before your injury?

Now, Duncan, originally from Muir of Ord but now living in Norfolk, is heading back out to the Sahara for his second attempt at the ‘toughest footrace in earth’, a gruelling six marathons in the Marathon de Sables (MDS) in April to raise money for injured veterans’ charity Walking with the Wounded (WWTW).

How did you become involved with WWTW? “I wanted to try and do something for charity, as a reason to push myself. I came into contact with Ed and Simon Dalglish the co-founders. I learned about what they do and they seemed like a positive bunch. I applied for their expedition to the South Pole, but

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prosthetic legs and changed my training this year.

“No! During my military service, we did a couple of Arctic warfare things, but nothing like that. It was debatable that I’d even be able to ski that distance and I’m forever grateful that they took the risk.”

“It’ll never be easy, but it should be more enjoyable this time. Training’s been good!

It’s been better this time. I’ve been to a Morroccan running camp to experience the heat and acclimatise.”

What made you decide to do the MDS?

How important is doing it as a team in getting you through?

“I completed the London Marathon in 2015.

I then decided to do more than one if I could, so I started looking at the Marathon de Sables.”

Except for obvious differences in conditions, how do you think this will compare?

“I took part in MDS last year, but didn’t finish.

I finished five of the six because there was a problem with my prosthetic that caused aches and blisters. But we’ve worked on the

“I don’t think it’s from my military background, but it means you feel dutybound. It makes a huge difference.”

Having already been out there, what will be the most difficult element?

“I think the day after the long day. I did the double marathon, but anything afterwards is unknown, so I’m a little nervous. The legs will be really tired and sore. But people have very kindly donated online in order for you to go and raise money so it’s massively important.” uk.virginmoneygiving.com/duncanslater

magazine.co.uk

04/04/2017 16:30

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03/04/2017 14:52

POWERLIFTING

Suffolk Spartans powerlifting club The Suffolk Spartans is a powerlifting club aimed at anyone who wishes to participate in powerlifting irrespective of age, ability and disability. The club’s Louise Collins explains.

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magazine.co.uk

04/04/2017 14:20

POWERLIFTING

We always take people at any level and discuss prospects with them. All members have had a go at competitions and we have run our own informal competitions, adapting the rules to ensure everyone can take part.

When was the Suffolk Spartans founded and how did it come about?

Suffolk Spartans launched in January 2007 with just £1500 from a Suffolk disability charity, Optua. With a severe lack of powerlifting clubs in the country (which is still the case) we were set up to provide this long-term pathway.

We have been running for 10 years and it has been an amazing journey. The club began with three members who are still regulars. Two of them have represented Great Britain at an international level, with one medalling at both London and Rio Paralympic Games. That’s an outstanding achievement for a small club with such humble beginnings, especially considering we still rely on fundraising to support our basic but successful club and

all its athletes.

What is powerlifting?

Within Paralympic Powerlifting, athletes compete on a specially adapted bench which is wider than a normal bench press. The athlete lies on the bench with their legs and feet up but flat and they can have straps to keep them in place as raising the legs or feet from the bench can lead to the lift being considered a failure. The bar is brought out of the rack and the athlete lowers this to their chest and after a definite pause presses it back up to the original or lock-out position.

Within the able bodied and Special Olympic side of the sport, they perform three exercises – squat, bench press and deadlift although single lift competitions are available. Once all the movements are complete, the heaviest successful weight

for each movement is counted and then added to provide a total. Placings are determined by the total weight lifted.

One successful lift is required for each of the different movements.

The referee gives signals throughout a lift and once finished the three referees will give either a white light for a good/passed lift or a red light for an unsuccessful lift. In a competition, there will always be three attempts allowed by the athlete to record a successful lift and the heaviest successful weight will be recorded. Everyone competes in bodyweight classes to make it fairer. At Suffolk Spartans, we are confident with the different rules in different competition arenas and often travel to support people and will practise all aspects of a competition during training sessions for those preparing. 

magazine.co.uk | 29

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03/04/2017 16:09

POWERLIFTING

SUFFOLK SPARTANS’ STARS What can a person expect As well as increased levels of when they visit the club for the fitness and health, in which first time? other ways do members benefit from being involved?

During the first session, we will increase the weight on the bar to get an idea of maximum weight. We’ll be looking at technique and weaker areas and make a few adjustments where needed.

Once we know a person’s goals, we’ll look at the weaker areas and adjust training accordingly, making a couple of adjustments to improve technique while training at a lower level to build up fitness and strength. For those looking to compete, we will let them see existing standards, gauge likely development and review and practise signals. We will ask the more seasoned competitors to offer advice and experiences. We always work with each member to ensure things are going the way they would like.

Is training/competing just for fun or is the club a springboard to greater things for competitive, ambitious athletes?

We always take people at any level and discuss prospects with them. All members have had a go at competitions and we have run our own informal competitions, adapting the rules to ensure everyone can take part. We have welcomed to our competitions a number of seasoned professional powerlifters from the ablebodied side of the sport and they have always been incredibly impressed by the standard within the club. As coaches, we can only beam with pride at the standards this club has achieved.

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magazine.co.uk

A number of wheelchair users who weren’t that active before have become more independent due to increased strength. They have become more mobile and better able to transfer. Others have found the increase in social interaction important. We have two lads who used to attend with parents and carers and now they come alone. The club offers equality regardless of disability and everyone feels equally treated.

Some members volunteer during training with loading weights and coaching and we involve all members with aspects of the club from finances and competitions, to future plans and additional equipment purchases. A member has become involved in running the website and another is recruiting new members and promoting the club. The committee comprises members and while we support them as coaches, we try to ensure the club heads in the direction they would like.

How would you describe the club’s culture/ethos?

The club is very relaxed and we do our best to cater for all needs and desires in terms of training and future. Zoe Newson says it is like having a second family and it truly can be with trials, tribulations and frustrations alongside immense pride and supporting each other unconditionally. It’s great to be a part of this club and everyone is so proud of our achievements. 

Zoe Newson (24) who has dwarfism, is an original member who had her first major international success with a gold medal at the Junior World Championships in 2010. She went on to win a bronze medal at the London Paralympics in 2012, clinching another bronze at Rio Paralympics 2016. She has remained the British Champion for the last eight years, in addition to numerous international titles, medals and records.

At Rio, she lifted 102kg at a bodyweight of 43kg and despite lifting 107.5kg in an attempt to beat the world record, it was deemed unsuccessful by referees.

One to watch is Nathaniel Wilding, who has spina bifida. He is in the top echelon of male athletes in GB. Nathaniel (24) is now joining the international team and with an eye on qualifying for Tokyo, he needs to perform well at the World Championships later this year.

Competing in the able-bodied side of the sport, Ben Cattermole has secured regional and national titles and records along the way. His greatest success was securing five gold medals at the Commonwealth Championships. Ben, who received a sports personality award, also volunteers loading weights most weeks and is of great support to new members.

Having a learning disability doesn’t stop Joe Strike being a real character in the club. He has won national titles in the Special Olympic side of this sport and also managed to compete in the able-bodied side of the sport despite the additional challenges this presents.

Joe has been a real inspiration to others and even won a sports personality award for his success. www.suffolkspartans.co.uk

04/04/2017 14:21

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03/04/2017 14:53

DISABILITY SPORT

BUILDING A BOND FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE W Mark Bullock

Mark has more than 25 years’ experience in Paralympic/disability sport, sports development and the broader social impact of sport. He has travelled to more than 80 countries developing wheelchair tennis and attended four Paralympic Games and two Olympics in various capacities from coach to technical delegate. He is a member of the International Paralympic Games Committee.

In November 2016, Mark attended a Hear Network London conference which aimed to connect organisations working with refugees and those working with disabled people, highlighting the lives, rights and entitlements of disabled asylum seekers and refugees.

Here, he explains what he learned about the issues facing refugees with a disability and how sport can play a role in improving their quality of life.

hether it be in refugee camps around the world, for refugees awaiting decisions on their status or for those who have been granted refugee status, I believe sport and physical activity have a role to play in bringing people together, building understanding within the refugee community and between refugees and their host communities, as well as contributing to wellbeing, health and fitness.

My interest in this area was inspired by Steve Verkouter, a Belgian tennis coach who, until recently, was running tennis sessions in a refugee camp in Dunkirk, France. There, Steve worked with a deaf refugee who is now settled in the UK.

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 15% of any population will be people with disabilities, with potentially higher proportions among populations that have fled natural disaster, persecution or war.

That means there may be over six million displaced people with disabilities worldwide.

According to a BBC online article from May 2016, it is estimated that of the 1.4milion Syrians who have found safety in neighbouring Jordan, around a third had a serious health condition or disability.

It is clear to me that sport has a role to play in providing opportunities for refugees to be active and to be integrated into the community. This could be in a disability sports specific setting or a fully inclusive environment

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There is some good practice out there. The city of Paris has signed agreements with Taekwondo Federations to work together to empower refugees and displaced people, helping them stay fit and active through participation in the sport.

The project will use Taekwondo to immerse refugees into the local community, offering them a positive way to socialise, learn about the local area and cultural values and keep healthy through physical activity. Taekwondo is an inclusive sport so I anticipate disabled refugees will be embraced in the project.

there may be over six million displaced people with disabilities worldwide

As a result of stigma and discrimination or physical barriers, people with disabilities are often hidden in communities and may not have access to the same assistance programmes as others.

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with non-disabled people or a combination of both.

In 2015, the National Paralympic Committee of Rwanda sought to bring sport to the country’s refugee camps to raise awareness of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Around 200 people with impairments, mainly Congolese and Burundians, were identified in the Gihembe, Mahama and Nyabiheke refugee camps and sports such athletics and sitball, a sport similar to sitting volleyball, were introduced.

The Unió de Federacions Esportives de Catalunya (Catalan Union of Sports Federations - UFEC) believes in sport as a means to improve psycho-physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

It is carrying out a project in European refugee camps in which volunteer sports coaches conduct courses in order to train new volunteers in camps. Once trained, the refugees themselves will provide sports activities for children, teenagers and adults living in the camps.

magazine.co.uk

04/04/2017 13:54

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03/04/2017 14:53

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04/04/2017 15:18

SMART TECH

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magazine.co.uk

03/04/2017 16:12

MOUNTAIN TRIKE

Mountain Trike gives Amanda a life without limits

W

hile approaching 10 years’ service, Metropolitan Police officer Amanda Davidson sustained multiple back injuries at the hands of a schizophrenic patient during a domestic call and was forced to take early retirement.

“There were a few learning curves and a couple of incidents where Jupiter pulled the Trike over and I wore it as a hat, but apart from that there is no stopping us! It is hard work but it’s fun, keeps me fit and offers me the independence I was looking for,” explained Amanda, who is now 20 years into her retirement.

As Amanda explains, there were some positives. She met her husband the day she left London and the couple now have two teenage daughters.

“Nowhere is off limits now that I have the confidence to handle the Trike. Thanks to air suspension and hydraulic disc brakes I can travel in comfort and safety and it looks pretty cool too,” continued Amanda, who attaches the Trixie Deluxe Dog Walking Wheelchair Lead Set to allow her to steer, power and brake her Trike using the two levers, which also keep her hands clean and dry.

She takes up the story: “Life has not been smooth. I developed Lupus shortly after leaving, had a stroke at 38 and then the Lupus attacked the site of my spinal fixation. For the last six years, I have been using a wheelchair for anything other than light walking in the house. Anything more and the legs paralyze. The more often this happens, the higher the chance the paralysis will become permanent.

AMANDA HER IN

COMPLETES

FIRST HER

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“My body wasn’t playing ball but my brain was still as stubborn as when I was a copper. I then discovered Support Dogs and they inspired me. They train dogs not just for disabled people, but autistic kids and people with epilepsy. They truly change lives and they have changed mine.

Nowhere is off limits now that I have the confidence to handle the Trike.

“We got a Labrador puppy, Jupiter, who I hoped would become my support dog but I needed to walk him. Not fair weather walking - I wanted to go down the local country park, over the fields, everywhere that any other dog walkers could and I didn’t want an electric wheelchair to aid

me. I wanted to do it myself. A bit of a challenge, to say the least.”

Two years ago, she discovered Mountain Trike – an off-road all-terrain wheelchair which could be powered by Amanda using the unique lever drive system. It has transformed her life.

She has raised £1000s for Support Dogs and was the first wheelchair participant in the Fright Hike (18 miles in the dark around Sherwood Forest). She was also delighted to complete her first 10k wheelchair race in her Mountain Trike in an impressive one hour 33 minutes.

Amazingly, she reached the summit of Snowdon in her Mountain Trike – an outstanding achievement whose year-long organisation she describes as the most stressful but proudest thing she has ever done.

For more information please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk, www.mountaintrike.com or email info@mountaintrike.co.uk And if you’d like to read about Amanda’s inspiring Snowdon Challenge, see www.mountaintrike.com/snowdonshove-2016-support-dog-teams-climb.

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03/04/2017 16:15

HAVE YOU TRIED?

HAVE YOU TRIED

open-water SWIMMING? From still waters to choppy seas, the great blue sea is as full of opportunity as it is mystery.

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magazine.co.uk

04/04/2017 15:15

And if you are a competent pool swimmer looking for a new challenge, open-water swimming may be the next step for you.

So why not test the waters by dipping your toe in, diving in or taking the plunge and making a splash.

Just as the water appears to be endless, so too are the possibilities.

Beautiful, wide expanses of inviting water can be a fantastic way of exploring your adventurous side and connect with the great outdoors.

The increased risk factor of moving away from warm, chlorine pools may also interest keen swimmers with a touch of the daredevil about them. It is recommended that you are a strong pool swimmer before taking to the outdoors to be sure your swimming technique, strength and endurance is enough to carry you through the tougher conditions, and it is advised that you don’t head out alone. While this comes from a safety concern, it also adds a social aspect.

Another factor to know when preparing for the conditions is having the right gear.

Open-water swimming isn’t an easy ride, so remove any thoughts you may have of it being akin to splashing about with the jellyfish in tropical seas with lovely balmy waters in your bikini – you will need a wetsuit.

It can’t be stressed enough how vital the correct wetsuit is in keeping you safe, let

alone warm.

The insulation technology keeps your blood moving and protects your body from the shock of the plummeting sub temperatures while the fabric keeps you buoyant in the water to keep you afloat and in control, providing it isn’t too tight and becomes restrictive.

21st century sport science ensures that wetsuits are built with your safety and comfort in mind, but stylish options are available for the fashion-conscious amongst the swimming community.

Good quality goggles are also suggested and a swimming cap to ensure heat isn’t lost from your head.

As you build up your stamina and endurance away from the pool, you may find yourself with scope to expand your sporting prowess. Open-water swimming is one of the three triathlon events. Mastering enduring and battling the elements in open-water swimming is great groundwork to build your way up to a triathlon opening doors to develop yourself as an athlete, be that competitive, amateur or recreational.

If you are looking for something to train for or are already looking for events to take part in the Great Swim events are fast approaching.

Take part in the country’s biggest openwater swimming events by finding your nearest at greatrun.org/great-swim.

Stunning lochs and lakes can be your new gateway to nature as you swim with wild sea-life and explore the sensory aspects of the colours, the choppy, cold water and slimy, slinky sea creatures and plants.

SWIMS IN YOUR AREA Great North Swim

Lake Windermere Friday 9 June Sunday 11 The Great North Swim compromises a half-mile, one-mile, two-mile, 5K and 10K as well as a Swim250 event, where less confident or new swimmers can complete a 250-metre swim instead.

Prices for the Great North Swim range from £20-£85.

Great East Swim

Suffolk’s Alton Water, Saturday 17 June A half mile, one-mile, two-mile and a 5K costing from £28-£65.

Suunto Great London Swim

Royal Victoria Dock in Newham, London, Saturday 11 June

Swimmers can choose from a half mile, one-mile, two-mile, 5K and 10K in the series’ London outing. Entry costs £32-£75.

Great Scottish Swim

Loch Lomond, Saturday 26 August

Scottish swimmers can enjoy a half -mile, one-mile, two-mile, 5K and 10K costing £24-£58.

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04/04/2017 15:15

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03/04/2017 14:54

SPORT AND FRIENDSHIP

Disability sport and friendship

By Michael McEwan

I MICHAEL MCEWAN Disability rights activist Michael McEwan is a gogetter whose efforts have introduced a team of people not only to the joys of disability sport, but also to a network of new friends.

t’s been well documented that people who have a disability find it difficult to make friends, lack the confidence to venture out on their own or secure employment. It’s crucial that we break down these social perceptions and barriers to demonstrate that a person who has a disability can still do a job and use the workplace as a launchpad that could lead to the forming of new friendships, bonds and relationships.

The same is true when people who have a disability take part in sports. Not only can participating in sporting activities have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, it can also broaden a person’s experiences and boost their confidence.

In both the workplace and on the playing field, people who have a disability can and do excel as part of a team for the greater benefit of themselves and fellow team members.

I’m talking from experience. From a young age, I loved football. As a schoolboy growing up in Scotland, I was keen to join a disability football team, but at that time there was only one north of the border.

So, we joined a football league in England and travelled south every second week to play. I The process of making new friends started slowly but I’m enjoyed it as I met new friends and took part now three years down the in the sport I loved, but line, have successful social interactions what I didn’t enjoy so daily, and can attend organised social much was the long bus journey every fortnight, events with very few problems. leaving Glasgow on Ryan Fleming, team captain a Saturday, playing a match the next day and travelling home on Sunday night.

Travel aside, it was a positive experience for me.

I attended a school for disabled children and it didn’t have a football team, so I approached the head teacher to ask if we could set one up.

She agreed, so I set to work on establishing the school’s first team – but I soon hit a snag. Due to school transport restrictions, the team would be unable to play after school, so we had to train

and play some matches at lunchtime to give students experience of teamwork.

When it was time for me to leave school, I agreed to return one day a week as the team’s volunteer coach and, in return, the school put me through my football qualifications.

When I made the transition to college, I used my newly-gained qualifications to coach the college team. This opportunity gave me invaluable hands-on experience.

Four years ago, a friend and I started up a disability football club in my local area of Giffnock, Glasgow. At first, it was set up just to have a fun kick about, but as the weeks progressed, the numbers grew.

After two years, we had reached the stage where we were seeking sponsorship and games.

That’s when we became affiliated with Giffnock Soccer Centre. We secured sponsorship from Community Care and now play in disability leagues in Scotland with their name on our strip.

Team captain, Ryan Fleming, says that he only began to build a social life when he joined the team back in 2014.

“The process of making new friends started slowly,” explained Ryan, “but I’m now three years down the line, have successful social interactions daily and can attend organised social events with very few problems.

“This has had an enormous impact on my life. I’m now in a happier place, enjoy interacting with other people and spending time with friends.

These are activities which used to be very difficult for me.”

That’s just one story. We now have in the region of 18 players and are still recruiting more.

Football and other sports are all about getting fit, meeting new friends and gaining the confidence to put disability aside and showcase our talent and teamwork.

If anyone needs evidence that disability sport can be a catalyst for friendship, look no further than Giffnock Soccer Centre.

magazine.co.uk

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| 41 04/04/2017 16:46

AZEEM AMIR

&

Trials triumphs From being accepted into uni to completing a 10k, Azeem’s been a busy man

AZEEM AMIR We first met blind football sensation Azeem Amir aged 18 in our December/ January issue, and now, Azeem joins us as a columnist to let us catch up with the potential internationalist and learn a bit more about what goes on in Azeem’s world.

I

n mid-December I went for my first trial in Hereford at the Royal National College for the Blind with England as I was put on an England emerging talent programme.

At camp, there are five disciplines of disabilities, so you have amputees, cerebral palsy, deaf, wheelchair and blind. Those who go up for England in each will meet for a four or five day camp and train with some of the best coaches in the UK. My third camp is in April and the final is in May and it’s taken from there. The programme is over two years and I’m on my first, so next year I go onto the second stage that leads to the international LD development squad. Hopefully 2018 will be a big year, that’s when I will be hoping to break into the squad – fingers crossed!

The first time I’ll visit St George’s Park where England train will be on May 6 with Merseyside. We’re in the Disability Cup Final which is the FA’s showpiece event with five finals in the different categories, but the main is the blind final, so we’re hoping to win that!

I’m raising awareness for the great work the Manchester Children’s Hospital do rather than money and we are going with the motto ‘If Azeem can do it, you can!’

I got five offers for uni and I now must decide between two - Salford which is about half an hour from where I live and Worcester. There are pros and cons for both so I’m deciding whether I can survive on my own or if I’d rather come home to

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a nicely cooked meal and warm bed! If I do my part of the deal and get the grade requirements, in August I’ll decide where I want to go. I’ll weigh everything up and ensure that wherever I go I get my degree. As a footballer, there’s only a certain length of time for your playing career, so you’ve got to think about after.

I was lucky enough to be sponsored by the Realising Dreams Foundation late last year.

For a five-aside pitch five minutes from my house, its £40 an hour, which is fine when you are splitting it between 10 players, but if it’s only me training it is hard for me to cover that cost, so the facility offered me it for £10 so I put that towards my sponsorship.

Without the Foundation, I would struggle.

I’m only 18 and studying, so it’s hard to find work and manage my time so it’s nice to have to not need to worry.

Recently at Manchester Metropolitan University I spoke to exchange students about blind football and led a session with them which went really well. They all got involved and at the end they were knackered!

Lastly, I’ve signed up for the Manchester 10K in May so I’ll be running that with my guide hoping to beat last year’s time. I’m raising awareness for the great work the Manchester Children’s Hospital do rather than money and we are going with the motto ‘If Azeem can do it, you can!’ and hopefully, we can inspire some of the quarter of a million people in Manchester that day!

magazine.co.uk

04/04/2017 14:05

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04/04/2017 16:23

Top of the table With the UK government blasting a number of football grounds for failing to accommodate fans with disabilities and lacking in accessibility, UK football grounds are heading for a more accessible future. Here, OnTrack speaks to Southampton FC’s Khali Parsons on what makes a stadium accessible and celebrates the grounds that are scoring highly on popular review site Euan’s Guide.

Southampton FC ST. Mary’s Stadium

S

outhampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium is one of the country’s most accessible football grounds and it isn’t hard to see why. It boasts a five-star rating on Euan’s Guide and the most wheelchair seats in the country, but it offers so much more to improve the visit of disabled fans. From the presence of accessibility stewards, changing places facilities, commentary and assistance processes for visually impaired fans, adapted refreshment facilities to even a free Dial-a-Ride service to get fans to the ground, the Saints are definitely marching on in accessibility.

Supporter relations officer Khali told OnTrack why it is so important.

“Across the Premier League all the CEOs have signed up to comply with the Accessible Stadium’s Guide by this August, which is a huge step to take because of how big a piece of work it is for everyone to commit to.

“At Southampton, we already wanted to commit to and comply with.

“Personally, I don’t think there should be any preface to the word ‘supporter’. A supporter is a supporter, not a ‘disabled supporter’ or a ‘female supporter’. But if

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someone needs a bit of additional assistance or some different facilities or help, advice or information to help them enjoy football then that’s what we are here for. You should be able to have a great experience at St. Mary’s whether you need additional assistance or not.

“On our website, we have broken down

football, I think there’s always ways to improve accessibility.

“The physical ‘building’ of the ground is accessible, but accessibility also covers so much more, from our website, staff training, facilities. You could build the best, most fantastic stadium in the world but if your staff aren’t empathetic, then you’re not going to be giving your best.

The physical ‘building’ of the ground is accessible, but accessibility also covers so much more, from our website, staff training, facilities. accessibility into different headings to make it easier to find the information, but we also have our access statement.

It’s an evolving piece because things develop as we learn and understand more. We enjoy learning by engaging with disabled fans and their families and different organisations and groups, so we don’t think that there is an end date to accessibility. If fans are here and loving

“If a stadium is over 100 years old, it may be difficult to make it accessible, but if your people, policies and processes work, you could actually be better than some of the other more modern stadiums.

“I think the next step for our access statement is adding lots more visual prompts, photographs mapping the journey when you’re talking about how to get here, the entrance and facilities, so that may help anyone from people with autism or anxiety disorders.” ›

magazine.co.uk

04/04/2017 15:09

STADIUMS

Manchester CITy FC Etihad Stadium

Manchester City offers accessible football viewing across the board, with several fantastic policies implemented not just in the Etihad Stadium, but across the entire Etihad Campus.

With wheelchair accessible seating, accessible entrance and parking, audio visual commentary, induction loops and assistance dogs welcomed amongst other great support systems, Manchester City is another club leading the line.

Elliot Ward of City said: “We’re very proud to be fully compliant with all Premier League regulations. We are up-to-date with all the requirements and we’re very happy that fans who are disabled enjoy the match day with us.

“In the Etihad Campus, the Etihad Stadium is adjacent to our training ground; the City Football Academy Stadium is our 7000-capacity stadium where we host youth and women’s games

and in there we have disabled seating and a range of disabled access options for that ground too, built on the model of the Etihad, but smaller.

“We have blind and audio commentary in that stadium too, so even in our women’s games we have that for their Champions League games, so it’s our access provision across the whole campus for a range of different games.” 

Image: James Carr Photogrpahy Ltd

CELTIC FC

Celtic Park, Glasgow The home of the Scottish Champions proved popular amongst Euan’s Guide users, coming in with fivestars. Inside the 60,000-seater stadium can host 130 wheelchair users and has 126 seats designated for carers and 38 seats for fans with visual impairments who can make use of the two audio description commentators. With level access and wide doors into the ground and disabled parking, getting there throws up few problems.

Accessible toilets are available to use without sourcing a key and staff are positioned on hand around the ground to ensure any problems can be dealt with.

Celtic Park also homes the UK’s first safe standing area in the lower tier between the North and Lisbon Lions stands. For more information on the accessibility and safety of this, contact supporter’s liaison officer John Paul Taylor on jptaylor@celticfc.co.uk.

Elsewhere in England on Euan’s Guide, Manchester United’s Old Trafford, Liverpool’s Anfield, Everton’s Goodison Park, Notts County’s Meadow Lane and Tottenham Hotspurs’ White Hart Lane all got full marks from keen reviewers.

See www.euansguide.co.uk

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04/04/2017 16:49

LONG JUMPER

Ryan RagHoo For long jumper and sprinter Ryan Raghoo, finding a place in sport didn’t come until he was 18-years-old.

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magazine.co.uk

03/04/2017 16:36

RYAN RAGHOO

W

ith bad memories of competing on uneven playing fields in primary schools and being excluded from PE in high school, Ryan fell into a trap of self-hate, anger and frustration leading to an obsession with body building.

RYAN HAD

INITIALLY BAD

EXPERIENCES

me as disabled. They’re aware I have a disability and compete in parasport and I have some struggles. However, they see me as Ryan nothing more, nothing less, the hardest worker in the group. Being in an environment where I’m equal has meant the way I see myself has changed, I don’t let the fact I have a disability define me because this is not how they see me. My confidence has grown a lot.”

Here, the Bio Synergy W I T H S P O R T B U T HAS TURNED THAT ‘Enabled Athlete’ AROUND tells us of his road to international sporting success and why he is Ryan, a qualified basketball coach, also works working to help children with disabilities as a sports facilitator, leading sessions in access sport. schools to help make sport accessible.

“When I was growing up my experience of sport was totally negative – largely due to the fact many people around me didn’t understand cerebal palsy, or they weren’t willing to put in a little extra effort to get to know what I could/couldn’t do and find an approach that worked for me,” began Ryan.

“I’d always enjoyed watching sport – especially the Olympics. I came to Brunel University ready for a fresh start; initially I was turned away and they didn’t do disability sport, however my persistence led to me meeting my coach Harry King.

“My first season was full of highs and lows but when I look back on it this was special.

“2016 was my breakthrough year in the long jump. Having started training as a jumper in December 2015 my PB went from 2.80-4.61 and by February 2016 I’d qualified for the Rio Paralympics.

“Last year I won the Asian Sports Personality of the Year 2016. From a personal perspective this was massive. Within the Asian community disability is very heavily stigmatised. I was honestly overwhelmed to be nominated in the first place and never expected to win.”

Ryan trains at Brunel University alongside able bodied athletes, but he explains nobody sees any difference.

“I am not treated differently - they don’t see

“I joined Sports4schools in May 2016 after being recommended by a friend.

“For me I see my role as an educator, I’m not trying to be inspirational. Some schools have changed their accessibility after a visit, others have made disability sport part of their curriculum. I enjoy seeing change and being able to be a positive influence, someone that young people can look up to and help other ‘Enabled athletes’ on their journey via mentoring, advice and support,” he said.

Being in an environment where I’m equal has meant the way I see myself has changed, I don’t let the fact I have a disability define me

On the sporting front though, he isn’t losing focus and still has his sights set high.

“The World Championships come to London this year and it would be incredible to be a part of a home championships. This probably won’t happen again in my lifetime. Right now I’m just training hard, keeping my head down and putting in the work.

‘In the next few years there are European Championships in 2018, Worlds in 2019 and then the Paralympics in 2020, this is what I’m working towards.”

magazine.co.uk | 47

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MARATHONS

MARATHONS OnTrack gives you the low-down on forthcoming UK marathon and half marathon events.

DEEP RIVERROCK BELFAST CITY MARATHON

Bank Holiday Monday, May 1 More than 17,500 participants are expected to hit the streets of Belfast for the city’s marathon, now in its 36th year. The official nominated charity for the 2017 event is Mencap. The Belfast City Marathon wheelchair event, described as a tough course, has become increasingly popular with competitors in recent years. It follows the same route as the main marathon race and the team relay event and finishes on Ormeau Park embankment. belfastcitymarathon.com

ST ALBANS WHEELCHAIR HALF MARATHON

Sunday, June 11

Starting and finishing in Verulamium Park, the St Albans Half Marathon will take you through the stunning country lanes of St Albans. Although you may come across the odd hill, the view from the top makes it worthwhile. Known as ‘the friendliest half marathon’ in the area, marshals will cheer participants on and entertain with their fancy dress. stalbanshalfmarathon.co.uk

PERKINS GREAT EASTER RUN, PETERBURGH

Sunday, October 8

This year’s Perkins Great Eastern Run route is the same as in 2013 following feedback from participants and key organising partners. The new route gives people better spectator views as well as participants a chance to improve on their previous personal best times. The route takes participants through a section of the city centre, which is unusual for a half marathon and is one of the unique aspects of the course. Spectators can enjoy stalls, refreshments and a continental market at the Embankment and the city centre shopping area is only a five-minute stroll away. Participants will be met by stewards at the finish line, who will direct them to bottled water points, medals, technical t-shirts, goody bags, refreshments, baggage collection and a changing marquee. perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk

magazine.co.uk | 49

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