Momentum Issue 2

momentum www.momentummagazine.co.uk

ISSUE TWO

magazine

>> INSIDE:

> Swimming:

( The ASA )

Swimming for All The benefits it can have

> Wheels Matters

> British Triathlon:

Pages 41 - 48

people with a range of disabilities

Supplement: Aug 2014 Inclusive Sport for

British Canoeing I Momentum

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There is something very special happening in the World of Paralympic Sport; of which few people, other than those involved, will be aware.

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he announcement in 2010 by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) that Sprint Canoeing would make its debut at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016 presented an exciting prospect for British Canoeing. The opportunity to get ahead of the rest of the world was seized, and the process of developing a Paracanoe Programme was initiated.

From that point the British Canoeing Paralympic Team has grown rapidly to become the World leading nation in Paracanoe. At the 2013 World championships in Duisburg Germany, the British Canoeing Paracanoe team dominated, taking medals in 9 of the12 events; 5 of which were gold.

With substantial support from UK Sport Lottery Funding, there is now a full time athlete group based at the British Canoeing High Performance Centre in Nottingham, supported by 3 coaches along with leading expertise in Strength and Conditioning, Physiotherapy and Sports Psychology.

Following the 2013 World Championships in Duisburg, the IPC announced that there would be 6 events at the Rio games, and the British Canoeing Paralympic Team are now firmly focussed on bringing home medals in all 6 events.

So what is Paracanoe?

There are 2 types of boat used: the Kayak Single (K1) propelled with a double bladed paddle, and the Va’a (V1) a traditional Polynesian outrigger boat, propelled with a single blade.

Races take place on a 200m straight line course in either 8 or 9 lanes. Starting from specially designed starting buckets, the paddlers go head to head, with races taking between 40sec and 1min depending on the class.

Athletes in Paracanoe fall in to 3 classifications; A, TA, LTA. A stands for arms and refers to athletes who only have significant use of their arms; TA refers to trunk and arms, and is the class for athletes with significantly impaired use of lower limbs; and LTA involves legs, trunk and arms, and is for athletes whose disability allows them some leg function.

There are currently 18 athletes on the programme and competition will be fierce for the 6 Rio places. One might expect this to create some tension within the training environment; however there is an extremely friendly and supportive atmosphere, with athletes recognising that a strong squad, although challenging, will

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ultimately help them all achieve their best performance.

The strong performance culture combined with a desire to remain ahead of the world mean that the British Canoeing Paralympic Team are leaving no stone unturned in the search for success. One element of this is the recruitment of further talent for the squad, and while Rio is getting closer, there is a still a window of opportunity for the right type of athlete.

There are no guarantees in high performance sport, but on current form it would look like the British Canoeing Paralympic Team are set to be a dominant force in Rio. For further details of the British Canoeing Paralympic Programme or the opportunity to be considered for their talent programme please contact: British Canoeing Paralympic Programme, National Water Sports Centre, Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham NG12 2LU

Email:

paralympic-talent@gbcanoeing.org.uk

Tel: 0115 982 2094

I Momentum

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Contents I Momentum

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35

With Thanks to: Level Playing Field, England Golf, The ASA, DSUK, British Triathlon, England & Wales Cricket Board, EFDS, oneathlete, WheelPower, Sport England, Dwarf Sport Association UK, UK Deaf Sport, British Blind Sport, CP Sport, WDSA (UK), LimbPower, Special Olympics GB, Disability Sport Wales, Scottish Disability Sport, Sport in Mind, Disability Sport NI, Xenca, Tourism for All & all advertisers.

Images Supplied by: www.professional-images.com, CP Sport (Front Cover) & thanks to all other image contributors.

Published & Designed by: Š Publishing Magazines Ltd www.publishingmagazinesltd.com Contact Us: Address Publishing Magazines Ltd 30A North East Business & Innovation Centre, Wearfield, Sunderland, SR5 2TH Telephone 0191 516 61 60

41

08 FEATURES >> 25 > The ASA

Swimming for All

41 > Wheels Matters 58 > British Triathlon 62 > Nutrition

Dan Smith: IFBB Wheelchair Pro Bodybuilder

64 > Disability Snowsport UK 77 > Accessible Holidays

NEWS >> 06

08 14

> Foreword

Barry Horne, Chief Executive (EFDS)

> oneathlete

3 Wheels. 3 Peaks. 3 Days

> Active Kids for All

Inclusive Training Programmes

23

> England Golf

35

> Level Playing Field

Deaf golf in the Brabazon spotlight The Football Supporter Experience

04 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Email (General Enquiries) info@momentummagazine.co.uk Email (Production/Artwork Enquiries) studio@publishingmagazinesltd.com Website: www.momentummagazine.co.uk Twitter: @Momentum_Mag Š Publishing Magazines Ltd 2014.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any way without written permission from the publisher. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and although every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate, the publishers take no responsibility for errors and omissions.

No responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for any claims made by the advertisers in this publication.

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For more information or arrange an assessment: Call 0845 2666 514 email clinic@ottobock.com visit us at www.ottobockuk/privateclinic

Foreword I Momentum

>> WRITTEN BY: Barry Horne Chief Executive, the English Federation of Disability Sport

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he English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) was delighted to be involved in the first Momentum magazine in June. What a great reaction it had! It was a real pleasure to read the fantastic range of articles on disabled people in sport and physical activity and see the wealth of opportunities around the country as well as the providers who work so hard to deliver successful programmes. In July, we were proud to give out copies at our Annual General Meeting, where Members who represent various sport and disability bodies joined us.

I know that Momentum has whetted your appetite for more news and opportunities and believe this second edition will not disappoint!

In addition to being a funded Sport England National Partner, the EFDS is a charity which provides a platform for collaborative working across England, across sports and the main impairment groups. As a Federation, we bring together our Members’ energy and expertise.

Momentum complements this platform for everyone to promote and share the great work taking place around the country.

Over the last few months, we have been involved in many discussions to maximise the potential for disabled people to be involved in and listened to in future policies in sport and physical activity. We continue to work with many providers to support them in their delivery as well as with Government to influence the changes needed.

I make no apology for repeating a statistic, which we must all keep in sight- until it is fully addressed. Disabled people are half as likely to be active as non-disabled people in sport or physical activity. This means, we still have a long way to go until we all get it right for disabled people to choose and continue to be active for life. Our recent Motivate Me report showed that disabled people want more opportunities that emotionally connect to their lives. More often than not disabled people are looking for

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opportunities, which are as likely to appeal to their non-disabled friends and family. Furthermore, disabled people want opportunities, which enable them to be active wherever and in whatever sport or activity they choose.

The word “fun” has come up a lot through the many studies we have undertaken.

Perhaps we in sport and physical activity need to understand what active “fun” really is, especially to the inactive disabled person. In reality- just like it is for non-disabled people- a tiny percentage of disabled people will want to be or reach elite standard. So, when we showcase or push PR around disabled people who are active in sport, we need to remember- not everyone is an aspiring or inspiring Paralympian! Perhaps we all need to agree as a nation that it is ok not to be talented- that being active can be enough.

EFDS is now in the middle of its next phase of research and insight work, building on the topics I have touched on above. We hope in the coming years that our insight can support providers to tailor the right sort of activities for every disabled person.

I hope you enjoy and share this edition of Momentum. Let’s make it an even bigger success than the last!

Now recruiting for September 2015

Play sport alongside your studies at the UK’s first Sports Academy for people aged 16 to 25 who are visually impaired The RNC Sports Academy: helping you achieve your academic and sporting potential Main sports: Football Goalball Golf Other sports include Boccia, netball and cricket

Expert coaches work with you to ensure you reach your full potential in your chosen sport

As a member of the UK’s first VI Sports Academy you will benefit from additional training in independent living skills, mobility and ICT - all tailored to suit your individual needs Call us to find out more 01432 376 621 or email info@rnc.ac.uk RNCHereford

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oneathlete I NEWS

Will Blanche’s man vs mountain challenge: 3 Wheels. 3 Peaks. 3 Days

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t oneathlete we’re incredibly lucky to work with inspirational individuals who really believe and live a life of no limits.

Around the end of February, we received a phone call from Will Blanche who has Spina Bifida. Will was training for a charity challenge to climb three of the highest mountains in the UK over 3 days using a modified hand bike. After hearing about the support we give to elite disabled athletes, including Richard Whitehead, Ollie Hynd and Libby Clegg, he wondered if we could help him to prepare for his challenge too.

Before speaking to us, it turns out some of the personal trainers Will had spoken to about helping him prepare for the challenge, taking into account his specific training needs due to his disability, had been a bit dismissive and said that they couldn’t help him.

At oneathlete, this is what we thrive on. We love the challenge of finding innovative ways to help disabled athletes reach their potential. So when Will contacted us our response was ‘absolutely, this is right up our street’.

About Will’s challenge

On 4 July 2014, Will set off on his charity challenge to raise money to support the Jessica Hope Foundation. Jessica was a very close friend and a bridesmaid at Will’s wedding. In April 2012, she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour and lost her battle a year later in February 2013.

They were due to start up Ben Nevis at 4.30am, but the weather forecast forced them to delay the start by 5 hours as

when they woke up they faced a very unwelcome and disappointing weather situation of gales and heavy rain. Despite a monumental effort and a climb to 2000ft, no one was going to be able to safely summit the highest mountain in Scotland on that day, so they had to head back down.

Will and the team went on to conquer Skiddaw and Snowdon and achieve their objective. Will is the first person to ever attempt the challenge on a hand bike and he did it all like a true hero.

Training Will for the three peak challenge

Gemma (sports physiotherapist) and Tim (strength and conditioning coach) met up with Will to go through a screening process with him and form the foundations from which we could work out any specific physiotherapy needs and could design the strength and conditioning programme. As every person is unique, the assessment process is really important so we can tailor our training programmes to meet each athlete’s specific needs.

Over the next 5 months, Will worked through a progressive and systematic programme of support including nutritional advice from Jacko (performance mindset and lifestyle mentor) on how to fuel up during the challenge.

A word from Tim about working with Will: “As far as our approach to training goes with disabled athletes, we’re not afraid to develop innovative ways to work with the individual to find the best body position, utilise equipment and explore what the athlete may or may not think is possible.

Will uses a wheelchair. In the gym he spent 95% of the time out of the wheelchair and

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the remaining 5% was entering and leaving the gym. Will hadn’t trained like this before, so his rate of progression has been incredible. He is an absolute dream to work with. Ready for anything I could conjure up for him, he would try his best and work with me to adapt it if required. It was a great partnership.”

About working with oneathlete, Will said: “It was great that I found a team who weren’t afraid to push boundaries in relation to my training requirements.

I could relate to this, as I believe in a life without boundaries. Their training programmes would challenge me as an athlete, but also challenged the team to design them. Having a disability should not be used as an excuse not to train or be seen as a barrier to being active. If you work at something hard enough you can do anything. I hope I’ve proven this through the training I’ve done and completing the challenge. Having Tim, Jacko and Gemma around me put me in the best place possible physically and prepared me for the challenge.”

Supporting the Jessica Hope Foundation

If you would also like to help the Jessica Hope Foundation continue to fund the fight to beat brain cancer in young people, text JESS16 to 70070 or you can donate and find out more online at thejessicahopefoundation.org.uk

If you want to find out more about working with oneathlete, visit oneathlete.co.uk

NEWS I Momentum

Another Milestone for Cricket WSP in Hampshire

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he ECB Whole sport Plan for Disability Cricket is expecting a major growth in opportunities for Adult (14 years plus) Disabled People to take participate in regular Cricket.

In Hampshire in addition to the strong well developed schools’ programme which involves close to 1000 children with disabilities a programme has been launched to involve disabled adults to become involved.

There are 8 school teams for Key Stage 4 which play in a round robin competition in curriculum time. This is run in 2 geographical areas with the winners of each playing a final at the historic Bat and Ball ground in Hambledon.

In addition 10 new adult groups have been set up. Last Sunday saw the inaugural

competition take place at the River Park Leisure Centre in Winchester with teams representing The Wildern and Thornden Eastleigh Multi Sports Clubs and the Winchester and District Sports Association for the Disabled (unfortunate acronym WADSAD). They are anything but sad.

A competitive afternoon saw the Wildern team triumph with a highly creditable score of 272. Most importantly all participants had a highly enjoyable afternoon.

Further competitions are planned as the numbers of teams increases. A further 15 groups are planned over the next year.

For more information contact: Jeff Levick (jeff.levick@ntlworld.com) or Simon Jones (simon.jones@ageasbowl.com)

Residential Sports Opportunities in Hereford The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) boasts facilities that hold their own against many competitive sports and conference venues across the UK. With fully accessible accommodation and catering to suit all requirements it’s easy to see why RNC enjoys an excellent reputation for hosting major national and international sports events. So if you are thinking about organising a residential sports event, why not pay us a visit?  Multi-sport facilities including netball, football, goalball and Boccia  Sports Hall – acoustically treated, anti-glare lighting  Astro Pitch – international level futsal pitch  Hydrotherapy pool and spa areas

 Fully accessible, ensuite accommodation  Conference and meeting/training rooms  Catering to suit all dietary requirements  Flexible, fully inclusive tailored packages

Let our friendly, experienced staff take the stress out of organising your event and make it the success you want it to be. Call us to find out more 01432 376 635 or email gardner@rnc.ac.uk The Royal National College for the Blind, Venns Lane, Hereford HR1 1DT Company limited by guarantee no. 2367626 Registered charity no. 1000388

www.rnc.ac.uk RNCHereford

@RNC_official

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CP Sport I Momentum

Cerebral Palsy Sport CP Frame Football Development

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ith the nation’s love of football the team at Cerebral Palsy Sport want to develop the game of football to be inclusive to all levels of ability.

There are many forms of football for all levels of ability, but observing the game at our CP Kickstart and Kick-Off Days it became apparent that there was an opportunity to develop a Frame version of the game.

On Saturday 7th June 2014, the team at Cerebral Palsy Sport held their first Frame Football Development Day. The day was hosted at St George’s Park, home of the Football Association, and supported by the Football Association and Sport England. In addition guests from Quest 88 were in attendance to observe the children in action and offer their feedback in regards to the ‘Frames’ being used by the children.

With 19 children, who are all frame users, in attendance the day provided a fantastic opportunity for Cerebral Palsy Sport to observe and gain feedback to support the development of the game.

More importantly, the young players ranging from 2.5 years to 14 years old all had the experience of taking part in

skills activities and small sided games at the FA’s National Football Development Centre.

Children were also treated to a surprise visit from England legends Terry Butcher and Graeme Le Saux, who dropped in to see what all the excitement was about.

Alison Talbot, Chief Executive at Cerebral Palsy Sport commented “We are very excited to be here today, at St George’s Park, the home of the FA, to work with the children and their families to develop the Frame version of football. A lot of good work has taken place in involving the less ambulant players in our Cerebral Palsy Sport CP Kickstart Football Days, but we believe that there is a need to add more structure to football for those who use a Frame, ensuring we can provide opportunities for all players to access a game suited to their needs.”

She continued “We’d like to thank everyone who has helped make today possible, including the Football Association, Sport England, all at St George’s Park, our coaches, our volunteers and of course, the team at Cerebral Palsy Sport. We really hope everyone has a great day.’

As part of our development day, we invited parents, companions and special guests, including our Sporting Ambassador for

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Football and Paralympian Leon Taylor, to observe the children taking part in a mix of skills, activities and small-sided games to help us to design a game specifically for them.

Leon was a Goalkeeper with the England Cerebral Palsy Football Team from 20032011 and competed in international tournaments across Europe and the rest of the world. Leon is delighted to be joining us today, adding “It’s fantastic to be able to get involved in helping develop and grow the Frame Football programme and inspire children and young people with Cerebral Palsy. Watching children get so much both physically and mentally from taking part in sport is so rewarding!”

The future of CP Frame Football is very exciting, and we are hosting an open event at St George’s Park on 17th August 2014 where we hope more Frame users will come along and give Frame Football a try.

We plan to present to the FA’s Disability Committee in the hope of forming an endorsed format of the game specifically for frame users.

If you love football and want to learn more about Frame Football and other Cerebral Palsy Sport activities, then please visit our website www.cpsport.org

SportsAble I Momentum

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nspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games or the 2014 Commonwealth Games to become an athlete, volunteer or supporter of disability sport?

Then join SportsAble - a nationally recognised multisports centre for physically and sensorially disabled people.

• SportsAble was an approved PreGames Training Camp for the London 2102 Olympic and Paralympic Games for archery and rifle shooting

Based in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead - but open to people from all over - the awardwinning SportsAble currently has 600 members. For just £40 a year they can enjoy 12 different sports and activities and benefit from the fun, friendship and opportunities that come with joining a specialist sports club.

• Membership is also open to families and friends of the disabled person and they too may participate in the sports and activities

What’s great about SportsAble is that it offers a mix of fun sports and dedicated pathway training sessions so members can choose how many sports they would like to do and at what level. To date, members have gone on to represent Great Britain an incredible 46 times across nine different disciplines and several medalled Paralympians, such as expert archer and gold medallist Kathy Critchlow-Smith, still train at the centre on a regular basis.

SportsAble is passionate that everyone has access to sport and therefore provides coaches, volunteers and plenty of adapted sports equipment such as: a fully equipped indoor archery and air weapons shooting range (with technology to assist visually impaired shooters); wheelchair accessible table tennis tables; adapted golf buggies; ball and stone ramps for boccia and kurling plus many adapted pieces of kit for field athletics. Socialising is even thought of with adapted fun sports, darts and pool table equipment plus wheelchair accessible tables outside on the terrace.

Some more facts about SportsAble: • SportsAble has won many awards, including an EFDS Star Club of the Year and Get Berkshire Active’s Club of the Year award

• Currently SportsAble’s members come from all over Berks, Bucks, Oxon, London, Surrey and as far afield as the Isle of Wight

• SportsAble currently offers: archery, air weapons, boccia, golf, new age kurling, sitting volleyball, short tennis, swimming, table tennis, ten pin bowling and wheelchair basketball. There is a programme to identify and add new sports all the time • SportsAble is the National Training Centre for Disability Target Shooting Great Britain and the home of the South and South East para table tennis squad • Members have represented Great Britain in 10 consecutive Paralympic Games since the club formed in 1975.

Several still train at the centre on a regular basis and many more are on a pathway to represent GB at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games • Following on from the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games SportsAble has seen an increase in membership applications from athletes and volunteers. Due to the rise in demand for more sports, more socialising, more often, SportsAble is launching a campaign to raise in excess of £5million to build a new disability sports complex in Maidenhead • SportsAble is a voluntary charitable organisation that requires a minimum of £220,000 a year to stand still.

Therefore, fundraising is ongoing and support from businesses, local organisations and individuals is eagerly sought • SportsAble’s large centre is perfect for events. Everything from weddings to board meetings, training seminars to concerts can be catered for

www.sportsable.co.uk 01628 627 690

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EFDS I Momentum

North East team lifts the Regional Trophy at the English Federation of Disability Sport National Junior Athletics Championships

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he North East team was elated to lift the Regional Trophy at the English Federation of Disability Sport National Junior Athletics Championships 2014. Their long awaited triumph came after 250 young disabled athletes competed in a full track and field programme at Warwick University. With numerous golds in their final medal count, North East’s points meant they overtook the competitive East region and claimed the Graham Bool Memorial Award.

The event was the climax of all the recent regional qualifiers held around the country and a chance to spot future track and field stars. Warwick University’s athletics stadium in Coventry hosted the renowned National Junior Athletics Championships on 12-13 July.

For over 25 years, the Championships have provided thousands of young disabled athletes with the opportunity to develop their talent and compete against their national rivals. The full programme ensures there are disabled competitors with a wide range of impairments taking part.

Many elite disabled athletes, who began their golden careers at the event, remember these Junior Championships fondly. Paralympians Hannah Cockroft, Shelly Woods, Aled Davies and Hollie Arnold used the event as part of their development in to become world-class athletes.

The Graham Bool Memorial Trophy is awarded to the region that accumulates the most points through individual performances. Last year the East region took the trophy from the reigning champions of two years- the South West.

The North East team were delighted to lift the trophy, in addition to one of their team, Bridgit Hobson, presented with the Lions Club International’s Endeavour Trophy. Bridgit had earlier impressed judges in the Powerchair slalom.

Lions Club International has been involved with the event since it began.

Their support through fundraising and volunteers has helped to deliver the national and regional events across England.

Ian Clare, Lions Partnership Officer said: “The National Junior Athletics Championships have helped to identify and develop new talent, as well as engaged many Lions members as volunteers. Our partnership confirms two area of commitment for the Lions Clubs’ in local communities- health and youth as well as encouraging fulfilling lives and empowering the next generation.”

Mali Oram (East) and Shelby-Louise Watson (Scotland) were given the top boy and girl of the championships respectively.

Both are fast becoming talented athletes to watch out for on the circuit. Their individual point scores over the weekend topped the other young athletes.

Jannine Walker, National Events Manager for the English Federation of Disability Sport, said: “What a weekend! We are always really proud to deliver this event, which is the annual highlight for many who enter year on year. It’s a great starting block for those

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disabled athletes who want to develop their talent and move up through the different pathways. Not only do the young people go home with medals and personal bests, but they remember an enjoyable weekend full of social interaction, confidence-building and loads of fun.”

The event is organised by Disability Sport Events, an English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) programme.

Disability Sport Events delivers a range of participation opportunities for disabled people to enjoy being active at all levels.

Over the years, the programme has been successful in building many partnerships across the sports sector. This has included partnerships with National Governing Bodies of sport, to support their events programmes to be more inclusive. The programme relies on money raised through corporate, trust and individual giving and the National Junior Athletics Championships is just one of the many opportunities available for sponsorship.

Volunteers continue to the lifeblood of the Disability Sport Events programme.

EFDS would like to extend their thanks to the hundreds of people in the UK, who continue to dedicate their time and energy to ensure this event is an overwhelming success.

If you are looking for a participation event to take part in, EFDS’s website provides a search page www.efds.co.uk/events Perhaps you are an organiser and would like to promote your activity to thousands of disabled people. You can also add your event on the EFDS website. www.efds.co.uk/events/post_your_event_ or_participation_opportunity For more information on EFDS, visit www.efds.co.uk

sports coach UK I Momentum

sports coach UK

Putting Coaching at the Heart of Sport

The Paralympics was a great platform to showcase disability sport. David Weir and Johnny Peacock are just two names who captured the public imagination, but how many Paralympic coaches can you name? Actually how many coaches can you name, full stop?!

Excellent coaches and coaching is important at all levels of sport. More than likely you just want to get better and have a good time with your friends.

It’s important that you have a positive experience each time you play sport. If you don’t you may just quit. sports coach UK Chief Executive Dr Tony Byrne backs up this view commenting: “At sports coach UK we believe that coaching is at the heart of sport. That is why we are committed to ensuring everyone receives excellent coaching every time.”

We know there are brilliant coaches out there leading great sports sessions for disabled and non-disabled people. They are the unsung heroes of sport, mostly volunteering their time.

However, there aren’t enough.

Sport needs more coaches, more coaches who have the confidence and knowledge to coach everyone, irrespective of their ability. We are working hard to achieve this and a key focus area at sports coach UK is to support coaches to coach more disabled people better.

How do we make sure coaches are confident in coaching disabled people? This is where we can help. sports coach UK has developed information and guidance for coaches around disability sport and sport for disabled people. This should help raise awareness amongst coaches, helping to create welcoming environments for disabled people at clubs and groups. Have a look at the sports coach UK website www. sportscoachuk.org for more details.

What about getting into coaching yourself? Never thought about it? Not enough confidence to ask? Get out there and give it a go. Currently most coaches are white, middle class men (and we value them as they do volunteer their time). However, if we want to get more people from different backgrounds into sport we need more coaches from varied backgrounds.

If you are already playing sport chat to your coach and see what’s involved and how you can start off. The best way to begin is to assist your coach.

This could mean setting up the cones, getting the kit sorted, or asking your coach to set you up with a small group to support during a skills session.

If that goes well maybe have a look at the ‘First Steps into Coaching’ workshop from sports coach UK that introduces what a coach is and does. If you still fancy it look at taking a coaching qualification (through your sport’s governing body) to develop your knowledge and confidence. To make it even easier sports coach UK has created a webpage called ‘Come into Coaching’ with information and resources on starting coaching.

© sports coach UK

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ver wish you could have a coach who could support you better and help you develop more as a player? Ever thought about becoming a coach? sports coach UK might be able to help.

More information Become a Coach If you are interested in coaching take a look at sports coach UK’s ‘Come into Coaching’ webpage that contains useful information and resources: www.sportscoachuk.org/come-into-coaching

Become an Inclusive Coach If you’re already a coach but looking to become more inclusive in your coaching take a look at sports coach UK’s ‘Improve My Coaching’ section on the website.

This section points you in the right direction for information and training that can enhance your skills and techniques, including confidence building workshops such as: • How to Coach Disabled People in Sport • Inclusive Coaching: Disability • Effective Communication: Coaching Deaf People in Sport To find a workshop near you visit www.sportscoachuk.org/workshopfinder

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Active Kids for All I Momentum

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he English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is working in partnership so more disabled people can enjoy sport and physical activity.

Under the banner of the successful Sainsbury’s Active Kids initiative, two training programmes have been established to develop inclusive physical education (PE) and sport for disabled people.

Inclusive PE Training “Always make me feel involved and don’t leave me sat on the side lines” “Adapt PE lessons so it’s not obvious and everyone in the class gets something out of it”.

Statements such as these above, made by young disabled people when asked about their PE experiences, show that more can be done to ensure all young people benefit from high quality, inclusive PE. As a result, the Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive PE Training Programme was created.

Sainsbury’s

Inclusive Training Programmes The free training consists of a workshop supported by online resources, which provide teachers with the skills to ensure all pupils are engaged and make good progress within PE. To date, 2,880 teachers have attended one of 190 free workshops across the UK. So far, these courses have benefitted an estimated 68,000 young people as well as having an impact on attendees’ confidence to deliver fully inclusive lessons.

The responses from teachers have been positive: “I have gone from having little knowledge and confidence in how to make PE totally inclusive to having lots of ideas and strategies to take into the classroom” “A very thought provoking course. It made me re-think my PE lessons to include everyone.”

This free initiative, which is a Paralympic legacy programme, provides training to teachers and staff working in mainstream schools across the UK.

If the teachers and school staff you know would benefit from support to provide a high quality PE curriculum for all young people, please contact EFDS for further details and to book a place on the free training.

Barry Horne, Chief Executive of EFDS explains:

Inclusive Community Training

“A young person’s experiences at school has a significant impact on how active they are in adult life. As a result, high quality, inclusive PE is essential to inspire and encourage young disabled people to lead a full and active lifestyle through sport. This is an invaluable and freely available training initiative, designed to improve teachers competence in providing fully inclusive and positive PE experiences to all young people.”

A low cost training initiative for those who: • Represent a community based organisation or group where the focus is not currently as a sport or physical activity provider • Have direct contact with disabled people of all ages • Have the opportunity to introduce

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physical activity and sport to disabled people.

The programme aims to create new opportunities for disabled people to access physical activity and sport by providing training to those who support disabled people of all ages in the community.

10,000 support workers, parents, carers, healthcare professionals, volunteers and community based groups in England will benefit from the training by October 2016.

Already, over 200 people have attended a workshop and feedback has included: “Very good indeed, it felt really clear how step by step you can adapt, tailor and modify your activities” Attendee, WhizzKidz “Fun, easy to understand first step to leadership” Attendee, Sport Cheshire.

“It changed my views and interest to try and be more involved with creating physical activity opportunities for disabled people” Support worker, Nottingham.

The training consists of a three hour practical workshop supported by online resources, which costs £10 per person (subsidies may apply). It is designed to improve skills, know-how and confidence in delivering sports based activities to disabled people.

Further information

For further information about either the Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive PE or Inclusive Community Training Programmes, including details of how to book a place on a workshop, please contact EFDS. Email: AK4A@efds.co.uk or telephone: 01509 227751.

Be Empowered, Feel Great, Look Great We all want to look good and feel positive, both of which rely on us feeling enabled and empowered. Conventional wheelchairs fail to offer these benefits so we decided to re-invent the wheelchair.

Carbon Black is the result of a seven year development combining leading F1 composite engineers, top designers and active wheelchair users.

Never before has a wheelchair received such a high level of design and development. The result is a chair that epitomises minimal, low impact simplicity.

Outside the “less is more” form means more person less wheelchair is the reality. The discreet height adjustable and interchangeable backrest offers postural support and comfort beyond the conventional. The ergonomic carbon pushrims give a pleasing tactile grip for effortless pushing.

Within, Carbon Black has all the composites engineering akin to a formula 1 race car resulting in unparalleled energy efficiency, outstanding strength, minimal weight and a smooth vibration absorbing ride. This all cocooned in carbon fibre, a material that doesn’t scratch the users car or damage their home and is warm and pleasing to the touch.

The sleek sexy style is far removed from the conventional wheelchair as we know it.

Every chair is built bespoke to the customer’s size and configuration needs. Every chair is hand built in the UK by expert carbon fibre engineers.

The minimal form of the carbon fibre monocoque gives the user easier access for transfers and a very compact, light chair to lift and stow in the car.

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS

But the journey to develop the ultimate wheelchair had a deeper challenge than to create a technical marvel. The challenge was to empower the user and create positive perceptions towards them and their chair.

Today Carbon Black is changing how many view the wheelchair, no longer a style stifling medical device but a stylish accessory that draws positive admiration from all who see it.

The Carbon Black team are highly experienced and available to answer your questions and carry out a no obligation demo.

Visit our website: www.carbonblacksystem.com for more information and to arrange a demonstration.

Live On The Edge I Momentum

Learn how to move more efficiently, feel better and go further...

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rigger Point Performance is a lifeenhancing brand that concentrates on providing innovative solutions for those in need of a lifestyle change, performance enhancement, or general wellness. Trigger Point reaches a broad population, ranging from athletes seeking improved performance to inactive individuals seeking better movement.

Cassidy Phillips, Founder & President, started Trigger Point Performance after he was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

He made it his mission to understand muscular structure and the regeneration of dysfunctional muscle tissue, which led to his development of the products, education, and methodologies. Phillips conducts seminars and teaches courses on the benefits of self-massage to fitness professionals across the globe.

Trigger Point Performance offers a line of deep tissue massage products in their performance kits and the popular GRID® foam roller, all of which are designed to mirror the feeling of a human hand for a more authentic massage.

Trigger points are hyperirritable bundles of tissue that form in muscles. Myofascial Compression™ Techniques are Trigger Point Performance’s revolutionary form of self-myofascial release (or self-massage), defined as building compression in a targeted muscle and moving the distal limb through a range of motion that replicates everyday function. The goal of MCT™ is to systematically restore tissue elasticity and enhance fluidity and function, which may result in pain reduction, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.

Daily activities such as sitting at a desk, driving, and going through repetitive motions can elicit chronic stress in the muscles. This stress can lead to decreased range of motion, muscle imbalances, and even pain or injury. The Trigger Point products are designed to alleviate these minor aches and pains and to empower people to take care of their bodies. The benefits of foam rolling include improved circulation, increased range of motion, and lengthening of short or tight muscles.

The GRID® foam roller differs from ordinary foam rollers because of its patented design. The GRID® foam roller has three Distrodensity™ Zones that mimic the feeling of the human hand: low & flat like the palm, high & firm like the fingertips, and medium & tubular like the fingers and thumbs [an image would be good here]. Its EVA foam and hollow design make it environmentally-friendly and easy to transport. The GRID® foam roller comes in three sizes, including the GRID Mini™ foam roller: the most travel-friendly foam roller on the market. The performance kits, such as the Total Body Kit or the Ultimate 6 Kit, are comprised of rollers and a massage ball made of a patented material that changes shape every five to seven seconds.

Trigger Point has also expanded into the world of recovery with the Cold Roller™, which combines cold and myofascial compression. Since education is the cornerstone of Trigger Point Performance,

16 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

consumer-friendly guidebooks and DVDs are available for each product.

Tigger Point Performance is one of several specialist brands distributed by Live On The Edge throughout the UK & Europe.

Director – Alistair Crawford commented: “We strive to find new innovative products to bring to the UK retail market that will enhance our well-being and love for sport.

Our philosophy is to work with like-minded companies, athletes and sports enthusiasts that wish to enhance their performance well-being and Trigger Point has engaged with a broader range of people, it is a lifeenhancing brand”. The GRID® foam roller is widely used across many sports athletics, football, basketball, crossfit , triathlon, cycling and rugby and is one of the key pieces of kit you should always have in your kit bag!

Contact Information: www.live-on-the-edge.com email: info@live-on-the-edge.com Tel: 0131 344 4730

Bodyflow Therapy I Momentum

Bodyflow® Therapy: Used by Lymphoedema Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Professional Sporting Organisations around the world to aid in patient & athlete tissue recovery. / AUTHORISED BODYFLOW CLINICS After evaluating Bodyflow Therapy by conducting internal case studies within their own clinical environment, many leading practitioners and sports trainers from around the world have now incorporated Bodyflow Therapy as an adjunct Therapy for both their respective patients and professional athletes.

/ APPLICATIONS ‘Bodyflow electrotherapy devices have a specific frequency that targets the ‘smooth muscle’ found in arteries, veins & lymphatic vessels.

Clinical trials and case studies have shown Bodyflow treatments to be a safe and effective adjunct to recovery. Around the world Bodyflow has become a ‘gold standard’ treatment modality for many top sporting teams and organisations.

Bodyflow devices are now being used to assist in the management of the following conditions, all of which benefit from increased circulation and/or lymphatic drainage: - Post-operative swelling - Lymphoedema (Chronic swelling) - Sports Injuries - Post exercise recovery - Wound healing - DVT prevention

“ I have been using the Bodyflow system in my clinic in Brisbane for the last 3 years.

Myself and all of my staff have found it a useful treatment tool for any sort of subacute or chronic oedema. Recovery times for these patients have dramatically improved.

It has opened up a whole new demographic of patient to our clinic and has also given us a real point of difference to other health providers in the area. This has resulted in an increase in patient numbers and there has also been increased “passive” revenue due to the number of patients who are renting the portable units for home use on a weekly basis.”

Roger McIntosh / Principal Physiotherapist / North West Physiotherapy / QLD Australia

PROFESSIONAL SPORT Bodyflow Therapy is now used by professional sports teams, athletes and institutions around the world such as EIS, EPL, NBA, NFL, Pro Cycling, AFL, NRL & Olympic nations, just to mention a few. “ Having used Bodyflow extensively in the past and being aware of its benefits for lymphatic drainage for sports performance recovery and injury recovery I was delighted to continue this relationship with Perform at St George’s Park. With the number of professional footballers attending St George’s Park for periods of intensive rehabilitation Bodyflow is a key part of our management of inflammation in injury and recovery post sessions. While the players are residential for their rehabilitation it allows us to use the system a number of times a day to optimise the benefits it may have.”

Steve Kemp / Elite Football Physiotherapist / Perform at St George’s Park

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/ PROFESSIONAL RECOVERY “ I’ve been using Bodyflow for the past year to help me overcome some injuries and the results in terms of reducing swelling have been fantastic. I also find it very useful after high intensity sessions to help me recover and train or race at my peak. The treatments are simple and really do make my legs ‘feel lighter’ . . . Thanks Bodyflow! ” Felicity Abram / Professional Triathlete

/ TESTIMONIAL Emma Wilson, 29, BTK Amputee.

When I was asked to test the Bodyflow system I was ready to try anything which might help with my stump I am a BTK amputee (lost left leg 3 years ago) my leg and stump ache a lot and the only relief is normally to elevate it. The Bodyflow is easy to use with simple controls to control the intensity of pulsation. The sensation of the pulsation is pleasant, like a mild massage so it’s ideal for use on a stump. I used it at level 10-12, but you can adjust the intensity during the 20 minute treatment. After 20 minutes I removed the gel pads and measured my stump, it was a little smaller and looked a lot less swollen. What really impressed me was how my stump felt, once I put my leg back on it felt a lot lighter and was noticeably less swollen, while the pain did not stop it did decrease so much so that I didn’t need to take pain killers.

We’ll be running a comprehensive review of the Bodyflow Therapy devices in the next edition of Momentum magazine. In the meantime Bodyflow offer a free trial of the device to our readers with those interested encouraged to contact UK Sales Director Steve Jones on 07710 532963

/ Find out more: website : www.bodyflowinternational.com email : info@bodyflowinternational.com twitter : @bodyflowint

England & Wales Cricket Board I Momentum

field, achieving both men’s and women’s victories in ICC Global Events, three consecutive home men’s Ashes Wins, three women’s Ashes wins, an Ashes victory in Australia, and victory in India. But if you ask him which area of the game has given him more satisfaction than most you might be surprised by the response.

Disability Cricket: Written by David Collier, Ex-Chief Executive of the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

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n the middle of July, David Collier announced that he had decided to retire as the Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) at the end of the 2014 season after a hugely successful decade in the role.

According to ECB Chairman, Giles Clarke, “David has overseen one of the most successful periods of development, playing success and growth for cricket in the history of the game.”

Indeed, during his ten year tenure, Collier has seen much success on the

“I have been fortunate to the lead the ECB during a period of great success on the international stage” said Collier “but what is perhaps less recognised, is the level of development and some of the achievements that we have enjoyed across the grassroots game – in particular in providing more opportunities for disabled people to access cricket.

“One of my lasting memories from my time at ECB is presenting the shirts and caps to our national Learning Disability squad before they departed to South Africa for the first ever international tri series (between England, South Africa and Australia) for cricketers with learning disabilities in 2005.

There is something very special about receiving your first England cap and I felt very honoured to present it to the Learning Disability players on that day.

“I’m really pleased that ECB is now recognised throughout the cricketing world as the leader in providing opportunities to people with disabilities to access the game.

We’ve been able to use our influence on the world stage, and working with the ICC, have been able to encourage other nations to follow our lead. This is something that we should be very proud about.”

Ian Martin, ECB’s Head of Disability Cricket added: “Having the full support of David and the ECB Board since I have been in post has been instrumental in me being able to effectively deliver my role and develop the game for people with disabilities. I feel very passionately that ECB should be setting the standard for disability sport provision, and every day we are working hard to do just that.

“We now have a performance pathway in place for players with eligible disabilities to progress up to England level across four national disability squads. The

20 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

bigger challenge from this point is to provide access to the sport for people with higher levels of disability. I want to see all disabled people coming to our sport and having a positive experience. Not everybody wants to access a performance pathway or play international cricket.

The vast majority will want to play recreationally and cricket is perfect for this, because it is very adaptable to meet all types of impairment needs.

Martin added: “If you have a set of stumps, this could be a box or a wheely bin, a batter holding a striking implement, which could be a tennis racket, a cricket bat or even an umbrella if necessary, and you have a bowler delivering any type of ball, then you’ve got a game that is instantly recognisable as cricket. The equipment can be whatever is appropriate and available for the individual or the environment in which you play – the main thing is that you are playing. It’s a myth to think that cricket is a not a game that disabled people can enjoy.

“Through our partnerships with the Lord’s Taverners and Sport England we are able to distribute a range of adaptable equipment to organisations who wish to offer cricket to the disabled community.

These organisations could be a cricket club, but equally important is providing opportunities for disabled people to play the game in their own environment, so we are happy to provide equipment to day centres for example.

“If you are interested in finding out more about delivering disability cricket, and what equipment might be on offer, please contact your local County Cricket Board, who will be able to discuss your requirements and advise on different formats of the game.”

For further information please contact disabilitycricket@ ecb.co.uk

England & Wales Cricket Board: www.ecb.co.uk/development/disability-cricket Email: disabilitycricket@ecb.co.uk Blind Cricket England & Wales www.bcew.co.uk England Cricket Association for the Deaf: www.ecad.hitssports.com/home/default.aspx British Association for Cricketers with Disabilities www.bacd.co.uk

Cricket Federation for People with Disabilities www.cfpd.org.uk Table Cricket, Community & Schools mark.dowling@cpsport.org john.sullivan@lordstaverners.org

Cricket I Momentum ACCESS CARD

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Your name Here

Young people prove to be the heroes in Disability Sport Programme

disability sports programme called, ‘Hit The Top Heroes’ (HTTH) being run by UK youth charity, The Change Foundation, is seeking to inspire and engage with over 1000 young people with a disability aged under 13, their parents, teachers the benefits of participating in disability sport.

The Change Foundation, is a UK youth charity that uses sport and dance to change the lives of marginalised and at risk young people.

The HTTH project is being delivered by five young leaders and coaches (the Heroes!) each with a variety of disabilities. A key part of the programme has been

the Multi-Sports festivals that have been organised and so far taken place at iconic sporting venues such as The Copper Box, Lord’s cricket ground, The David Beckham Academy (London) and The National Sports Centre.

These festivals have involved young people taking part in and enjoying cricket, football, rugby, indoor rowing, athletics, indoor cycling and even some boxing! The festivals provide a supportive competitive environment through which young people can test their skills against others. Work is also being done in mainstream schools, to experience what it is like to have a disability.

For more information visit. thechangefoundation.org.uk

Durham Cricket Board Disability Cricket Hubs

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urham Cricket Board is excited at the opportunities currently being developed throughout the North East for the expansion and creation of a disability Cricket Hub network.

Throughout 2014 and 2015, five Hubs will be created and where it exists these hubs will build upon existing provision currently ran

by DCB. The hub sites are a fantastic way for children to meet and play with their peers. They are open to any disability as sessions are catered to meet the specific needs of the participants.

There will be a central hub based at the Riverside in Chester-leStreet, Northern Hub based in the Gateshead area, An Eastern Hub Based in the Easington/Peterlee

area, a Southern Hub Based in the Stockton Area, and a Western Hub Based at Barnard Castle.

These hubs will be supported by our schools coaching programme which currently delivers Table Cricket in the Winter and kwik/ softball cricket in the summer across 13 SEN Schools/SEN units in primary and Secondary schools across the county.

Festivals are held in the North and the South of Durham for each discipline and have proved to be a huge success for all involved.

For More information as to how you can become involved please contact : Durham Cricket Board on 0191 387 2868. Email – steven.bell@durhamccc.co.uk Twitter @DurhamCricBoard Facebook: Durham Cricket Board

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18/10/2013

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England Golf I Momentum

© Leaderboard Photography

Deaf golf in the Brabazon spotlight

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eaf golf will come into the spotlight at the Brabazon Trophy, held at Seaton Carew in County Durham.

The competitors at the event – one of the Majors of amateur golf – include 18-yearold Paul Waring of Felixstowe Ferry in Suffolk, who has been profoundly deaf from birth.

The host club also includes a group of deaf golfers among its members and its plans for a new practice area will include facilities for deaf golfers and those with other disabilities. Seaton Carew treasurer Jim Cockburn remarked: “Everyone and anyone is welcome here, we include everyone.”

Paul is a scratch golfer who secured his first appearance in the Brabazon – the English men’s open stroke play - with a two under par score and a share of second place in the Southern Qualifier.

The championship will be just the beginning of a high-profile month for Paul, who will go on to represent England Deaf Golf in the World Deaf Championships in Michigan, USA, from July 12-18.

He is already the European Deaf Champion and his schedule reflects his ambition: “to

be a successful amateur and then to play on the European Tour.”

Paul’s route to the top of the game puts an extra emphasis on communication.

He explains the issues created by being deaf: “It makes learning more difficult as communication with your coach has to be different, for them and you. And, if you can’t hear the difference in a good and bad strike, or how a bunker shot should sound, you have to rely on the feel of the shot.”

That means lots of practice and a good relationship with the coach: “Both my previous coach, Kevin Lovelock, and my current coach Graham Walker (the England Golf men’s coach), have been brilliant with me,” said Paul.

There’s also the issue of communicating with playing partners. Paul uses a combination of lip reading, signing if appropriate, and gestures.

He encourages other deaf people to play golf, remarking: “Why not? It’s great fun and you get to meet lots of new people.”

Paul started playing golf when he was 12, encouraged by his father, and has represented Suffolk at every level from U14 upwards. He’s been a regular at England Golf boys’ events and at other prestigious junior competitions and this year, is playing more men’s tournaments.

He has an impressive record in deaf golf.

As well as his European individual title, he helped England win the team event in Finland and, also last year, he won the England Deaf Golf Open, the Spring and Autumn Tournaments and the Order of Merit.

At the World Deaf Golf Championships, Paul played his part in the Men’s Team finishing second to the USA whilst Michael Burris from Forrest Hills Golf Club in Gloucstershire came 3rd in the Men’s Individual Event, edging out Paul on countback. That was the first podium finish by an Englishman in over 15 years.

The tournament also saw England have its first Seniors team and include a female deaf golfer, Donna Morris, for the first time in 15 years, finishing a creditable 11th.

England Golf is committed to increasing the number of deaf and disabled people playing golf. If you are interested in getting started then please contact England Golf on development@englandgolf.org or call 01526 354500 to find out how to get involved.

Get into golf

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 23

Embody I Momentum

GIVING EVERYONE THE CHANCE TO DANCE

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mbody Dance Company gives hundreds of dancers with disabilities the opportunity to participate in weekly dance classes.

Embody Dance founded by young dancer Emma Breeze, is breaking boundaries through its innovative and refreshing approach to dance and disability.

Emma has designed Tiger Feet dance classes specifically for children and adults with both learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Tiger Feet classes are exciting, fresh and exhilarating.

Tiger Feet classes cater for all ages and abilities including dancers in wheelchairs, dancers with many additional needs and of course- all support workers who can’t help but join in!

by those who attend the classes, as experienced by Jill Hinde from Coventry Mencap, ‘Since the start of Tiger Feet we have seen a vast improvement in people’s ability to complete quite complex routines and the readiness to learn new moves.

Concentration, stamina and strength has also been improved’.

The parents of a child who attends Tiger Feet classes exclaim. ‘Dancing has improved all aspects of our Daughter’s life and she loves it so much. She is a far more confident child now thanks to dancing and absolutely adores Emma’.

Embody Dance strives to continue to build on their success as they expand and create new classes. At a recent exhibition aimed at parents of children with disabilities, Embody were inundated for requests for new classes in new areas that they had not even previously considered.

As Embody continues to grow further, they hope to take on more teachers and apprentices like Holly, to reach greater numbers of children and adults with learning disabilities, in order to ‘Give Everyone the Chance to Dance’.

Embody are extremely excited to have recently taken on Holly, a young dance teacher apprentice with Down’s Syndrome, whose placement has been sponsored by Coventry Mencap. Holly assists with classes and is a fantastic asset to the team. Holly would like to continue to work in dance and performing arts as she gets older.

It is paramount to both Emma and Embody that all classes are accessible to everyone.

Embody has established over 20 Adult Tiger Feet classes across Warwickshire and the West Midlands, as well as Pre-school Tiger Feet, and After-school Children’s Tiger Feet. Embody also teaches Tiger Feet classes within Special Schools. The company works with many local and regional organisations to create classes in the community and in care settings.

The impact of Tiger Feet can be seen

Would you like to become a Tiger Feet teacher? If so contact Embody today!

Tel: 07533916231 Visit our website:

www.embodydance.co.uk/tigerfeet

24 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

The ASA - Swimming for All I Momentum

The ASA

Swimming for all

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earning to swim provides everyone with vital skills to help with survival and this is no different for those with a disability or special educational need.

There’s no need for anyone to miss out on all the fun and skills that can be gained by getting wet - one of the great things about swimming is that it’s a fully inclusive activity for everyone and a good way for families to have fun together.

Benefits of swimming First and foremost, learning to swim is a skill that could ultimately save your life.

And as drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death in children, it is absolutely vital that every child in particular has the opportunity to learn to swim and gain water safety knowledge.

Swimming provides a lot of pleasure – it’s a great leveller and is a lot of fun within a non-competitive environment, as when in the water, everyone feels they can be equal.

It’s also a good socialising and confidence building opportunity. Disabled swimmers say that one of the great things about swimming from an early age is the new friends they made. They also say that it gave them a massive boost in confidence and really helped with social skills and communication.

The support of the water means that it can greatly aid therapy for those with physical disabilities. It is often prescribed for those with a physical disability as a form of therapy because the water is weight bearing.

Added to that, the sensory element of the water has been shown to stimulate interaction in those with emotional, behavioural and communication disorders and neurological conditions such as autism.

Contact your local pool and find out if they run swimming for disabled sessions. And if you’ve never learned to swim, why not start now? Use our handy poolfinder at www.swimming.org/poolfinder

Are you a talented swimmer with a disability?

British Para-Swimming is continually on the lookout for new talented swimmers.

There are a number of initiatives running to get swimmers with a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment involved in disability swimming and on the pathway to the podium.

Talent Identification Days These are days where swimmers can be tested to see if they meet the criteria to become a Para-Swimmer. The next one is at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London Aquatic Centre on 30 August 2014, 12.451.45pm.

You need to be able to swim at least 25 metres and be keen to take part in competitive disability swimming.

You should also be new to disability swimming, i.e. not been through a talent assessment session previously or been classified. To find out if you are eligible fill in the application form by 22nd August 2014 online at www.swimming.org/ disabilityswimmingtalentID. For any queries please email disability@swimming.org

A Vision For Rio Do you fit the requirements of a visually impaired swimmer and have the potential and motivation to represent GB at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games? British ParaSwimming have teamed up with UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport to search for strong swimmers aged 12–25 years as part of their ‘A Vision for Rio’ campaign.

Swimmers should be competing to at least county or regional level with reduced vision - defined as being unable to see beyond the top letter of an eye chart with their most effective eye, whilst wearing glasses. Find out more at www.swimming. org/disabilityswimmingtalentID

Further information The ASA is the national governing body for swimming and its associated disciplines in England.

If you are looking for a swimming club, ideally you should get the same opportunities as non-disabled swimmers as part of a mainstream swimming club. But there are also disability swimming clubs that specialise in working with swimmers with disabilities, usually for recreational purposes only.

Great first points of contact are a network of specialist hub clubs. These are local swimming clubs that work in partnership with the ASA to provide an assessment opportunity for swimmers with a disability.

An interactive map of hub clubs is on our website.

Everything you need to know about swimming with a disability, including how and where to learn to swim, joining a club, information for parents of children with disabilities and tracking down your nearest pool is on our website at swimming.org/ go/disability

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 25

Starfish School of Swimming I

Promoting integration and an awareness of disability swimming

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tarfish School of Swimming Ltd opened its doors in April 2006 with an ethos to provide private swimming tuition in the local community specialising in children with additional needs and disabilities whilst promoting integration and an awareness of disability swimming.

Since opening the school has gone on to provide swimming provision for over 1500 children a week. Using specialist techniques and attending various training courses all staff have awareness and experience of working with the children

and we feel this puts the parents mind at ease.

Swimming is a vital life skill that all children should have the opportunity to participate in however when you have a child with a disability finding a specialist provision can prove a challenge.

Starfish prides itself on being one of a very few private swimming schools in the North West qualified to teach children with additional needs and disabilities. We have a varied and energetic approach to all our lessons as experience has taught us it is the best way.

There is a passion behind the ethos and that is that all children will be catered for and all children and their families will feel welcome and understood regardless of their difficulties.

The ethos definitely works and enables able bodied children to understand disabilities and how they can affect people differently.

Operating over 12 hours a week for private tuition the school teaches 120 children with additional needs and the number grows month on month. Class sizes are small and once the children grasp the skill set required they progress to mainstream groups if their ability permits them to do so.

The school is a small community who share experiences and knowledge and definitely

26 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

promote their passion for teaching children within the community. Whilst teaching Starfish always abides by its acronym: Swimming tuition with a difference Talented teachers, with patience, expertise & understanding Achievement for all children is essential Reputation means everything, always encourage feedback Fun approach learning through play Innovative methods of teaching Specialists in children with additional needs and disabilities Happy, safe, caring & loving environment for all children to learn to swim.

Starfishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience and knowledge of teaching children with disabilities is vast and we never turn anyone away regardless of their ability.

For more information on Starfish and how to book a place please visit www.starfishschoolofswimming.co.uk or call 0800 996 1760.

Contact us Freephone: 0800 996 1760

Email: info@starfishschoolofswimming.co.uk

Web: www.starfishschoolofswimming.co.uk

Swimtime I Momentum

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Inclusive lessons to teach life long skills

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wimtime has been teaching people to swim for more than 15 years, all over the UK.

Our approach is simple – to include children of all abilities, wherever possible. This keeps young people active and gives everyone a sense of inclusion and shared achievement.

The teachers are trained to teach all abilities and we’re proud to include disabled children in groups with nondisabled children. Through encouraging participation in group swimming lessons in this way Swimtime has established a fantastic programme that delivers fun, confidence and competitiveness – things that are integral to the lives of all young people.

This approach began back in the early days of Swimtime with Sean, who joined a class at the age of 10. At the age of 20 he now takes part in various sports, including golf.

Seeing Aheed walk unaided in the swimming pool was such a great, emotional moment for us all Aheed’s father, Milton Keynes

It’s one of

Our teachers are used to working with children with a range of disabilities, from physical impairments to intellectual disabilities, in their group sessions.

Children who may need a bit more support can also have a parent or carer in the water with them.

Aheed has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair to get around. He enjoys regular 1:1 lessons with swimming teacher, Ley Moffat. Aheed who is 12 years old has recently achieved his 5-metre swimming award.

“

On the days that Sean swims he has better posture and walks better as his muscles are able to work effciently due to the stretches he gets from swim therapy. When he was little it was the only exercise he could do himself (with supervision) and he benefited immensely.

Sean’s mother, Cheshire

28 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

”

”

“International events like the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games show just what can be achieved by young people of all abilities and it’s great to see so many children, whose disabilities can restrict them in other parts of their day to day lives, participating in group lessons. Water is therapeutic on many levels.

Linda Price, Swimtime.

For further information about Swimtime lessons in your area go to www.swimtime.org and use the postcode search. @swimtime group

Arena I Swimming

Arena:

aquatic participation for all

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s an activity swimming offers physical, mental and social benefits for every one of all ages and abilities. The goal of the swimwear brand Arena is to promote aquatic participation for all, providing products that match and exceed expectations irrespective of whether you are an Olympic or a recreational swimmer.

Italian textiles designs created from cutting edge fabrics means product will both look great and give a fantastic fit for a pleasurable swimming experience.

Newly developed fabrics such as Max Life, a revolutionary and innovative material, guaranteeing extraordinary resistance to chlorine making it most durable material available. The Max Life suit moulds to the body allowing freedom of movement, resists abrasions and piling but still feels smooth to the touch. Our current AW14 collection as featured above is now available in store with bold prints in a variety of colours and back shapes for the ladies.

#GO

There is hardware tested and developed in conjunction with our elite team of athletes, including UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, to give a broad range of training aids to support physical training and swim stroke development. England and Scotland 2014 Commonwealth Champions Fran Halsall and Hannah Miley are members of the Arena Elite Team and Arena are proud to be the aquatics partners of the 2014 Team England in Glasgow.

For example one of the latest is the new Freestyle Breather, which is a completely innovative product, designed to give confidence by preventing or reducing water inhalation. This is achieved by guiding head alignment while swimming that in turn creates a larger air pocket around the mouth and nose.

There are goggles with an easy adjustment system that can be altered while wearing them. They are made from liquid silicone which is indisputably the best material available as it offers a super soft feeling

RANOMI KROMOWIDJOJO (NED)

Olympic champion 50m and 100m Freestyle

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30 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

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32 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

STA I Swimming

Teaching Swimming for Fun and Achievement

By Joan O’Sullivan STA Tutor and Head Coach for Kilmarnock Jets Swim Team

S

TA recognised many years ago that there was a growing need for organised, safe swimming sessions in a pool environment.

As well as these safe sessions, it also recognised that there was a need for qualified teachers and assistants who can ensure that children and adults with disabilities gain maximum participation, enjoyment, fun and achievement.

To meet these needs, STA has developed a training and awards programme for those who teach, coach and assist people with disabilities, which are widely used by trained Swimming Teachers.

The STA Level 2 Award in Aquatic Teaching People with Disabilities (QCF) provides our teachers, as well as Assistants, with the knowledge and a formal qualification from a certified course that ensures best practice when it comes to working with those with disabilities. It also includes the knowledge and techniques needed to deal with assistance that may be required by individual swimmers in or out of the water.

At club level, STA’s programmes allow us to map development of our teachers and coaches through the continuous CPD programme, as well as our swimmers through the International Learn to Swim Programme (ILSP). The ILSP has a mainstream core series and a specialised branch: the Rockhopper and Penguin series.

The Rockhopper series enables swimmers to learn water skills and to gain recognition for their own individual achievements such as breathing skills, floatation, propulsion and watermanship skills at various levels. In the Penguin series, swimmers can be rewarded for distance swims from 5 metres to 400 metres.

Structured programmes such as these allow us to map progression for all our swimmers in relation to their ability, and they enable us to teach and coach swimmers within their own personal parameters.

We can introduce various disabilities from grassroots one-to-one sessions into class group sessions that incorporate a progressive pathway for swimmers to compete at local, regional, national and international level.

Student Success Fiona Dawson is 33 years old and has Down Syndrome. She started swimming with the Kilmarnock Jets Swim Team in 2008 and although Fiona could swim unaided, she has progressed through the Rockhopper and Penguin awards and is now on STA’s mainstream International Learn to Swim Programme, progressing through the awards.

Fiona has been selected to swim with the GB Down Syndrome Team and holds the European Down Syndrome Record for the 200m individual medley. Later this year, Fiona will also represent Team GB in Mexico.

Kayleigh Haggo is 14 years old and has cerebral palsy of quadri-paresis. She started swimming with Kilmarnock Jets Swim Team in 2010. Like Fiona, Kayleigh could swim unaided and has also progressed through

STA’s Rockhopper and Penguin awards, and is in the STA International Learn to Swim Programme.

Kayleigh has just been classified through British Swimming and now trains with the West of Scotland Regional Squad.

TOP TIPS: • Concentrate on what the swimmer is able to do rather than their restrictions • Every swimmer is an individual with specific needs • Consider their swimming experience to date • Consult with others • Keep steps small and reinforcement may be needed • Know how their impairment affect swimming • Inclusion with others enhances social experiences • Involve swimmer through discussion • Praise and feedback • Adaptation of skills and equipment use.

Disability swimming is there for all and STA makes it easy, accessible and achievable.

About the Author, Joan O’Sullivan Joan O’Sullivan has been involved with swimming for 40 years: in her early years she was a competitor, then trained as a teacher, progressing to coach level, specialising in disability swimming.

For the last 27 years, Joan has volunteered as Head Coach and Team Manager for Kilmarnock Jets Swim Team, where there are 60 swimmers. Their ages range from five years to 66 years and they have a wide, varied and some complex disabilities. Joan is also responsible for training the volunteer teachers and assistants who work with the club, and works closely with STA as a Tutor and Trustee on the disability swimming teaching and awards syllabi.

For further information visit www.sta.co.uk/sta-aquatic-teachingpeople-with-disabilities/

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 33

Swimming I Momentum

Floatsation:

Independence for all abilities in water

F

loatsation® (formerly known as Original Floatsation and New Age Floatsation) is the original; unique matrix of balls giving total support and independence in water for all abilities, disabled and non-disabled alike.

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Floatsation aids allow swimmers with Special needs to be independent in the water.

They help create a safer centre of gravity and can provide an effective learning curve towards becoming an independent swimmer.

The effectiveness of each buoyancy aid keeping the swimmer in the water instead of above the water helps to boost essential water confidence.

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”

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Floatsation® can enable everyone to have fun in the water in a safe and confident way. It enables users to have fun while still allowing them to develop: Confidence, Increased Self Esteem, Independence, Aquatic Skills, Water Awareness, Spatial Awareness, Team Skills, Relaxation in Water, General Relaxation & Safe exercise in water for all abilities and ages.

Floatsation® products include The Big Citrus, The Citrus, The Citrus Burst & The Citrus Flexi-Tube.

Floatsation® is a unique matrix of balls giving total support and independence in water for people of all abilities, disabled and non-disabled, young and old.

Re-developed by Martin Mansell, 9 times Paralympic Swimming medals.

The Floatsation® product range has wide applications both in the leisure market as an inclusive swimming/floatation aid and as hydrotherapy aid in the pool. The products enable independence in the water acting as an exercise unit and an aid to relaxation at the same time; as well as being a fun toy in the water for all.

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More Rehab offer a high quality multidisciplinary therapy service to patients that require specialised neurological or respiratory care.

The specialised services we offer include: • Hands-On Therapy • Exercise Programmes • Hydrotherapy • Electrical Stimulation (Upper & Lower Limb) • Gymnasium Work • Splinting (Upper & Lower Limb) • FES Bike Assessments & Programmes • Carer Training • Amputee Rehab • Accommodation Assessments • Equipment & Aids Assessments including wheelchair & posture • Vocational Rehabilitation and much more, please contact us for more details.

We have clinics in South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and the surrounding areas.

We are happy to do visits to your home, school or work place.

Tel: 0114 2353150 Web: www.morerehab.com 34 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Level Playing Field I Momentum

The Football Supporter Experience: Ipswich Town FC..35 years later

J

amie Beddard, director, actor, writer, trainer and consultant is an avid Ipswich Town Supporter.

In 2012, he directed ‘Breathe/ Battle for the Winds’ an outdoor spectacular in front of 15000 people on Weymouth beach, heralding the opening of the sailing events for the Olympics.

He also won the Premiership’s supporter of the month in 2000.

This community generates the revenue, spectacle and atmosphere that are the lifeblood of professional sport. Therefore, clubs and authorities should have vested interests in encompassing as broad a community as possible. For disabled supporters, facilities, access and attitudes have improved, but heralded examples of good practice continue to suggest exceptions rather than the rules. This advocacy of Level Playing Field is critical to ensuring football, and sports in general, accept their responsibilities, and treat their communities with the care and respect they deserve.

Last night began my 35th season, following the hapless fortunes of Ipswich Town FC, with a pre-season match against the mighty Braintree Town. My first visit to the sun-drenched Amlin Stadium, alongside 476 hardy souls gathered for little more than an elaborate kick-about. I wondered whether there may be better ways of spending my downtime? No, of course not; what better place to embark on the new season. And ticking-off a new ground, to boot. ‘Ticking-off’ is a recurrent theme of the football itinerant – grounds, countries, pies, trains and public houses.

In 1978, my fate was sealed as Ipswich and Arsenal, met in the FA Cup Final. A minute before kick-off, my Dad asked the fateful question, ‘Who do you want to win?’

Ridiculously I picked the team located 80-miles away from my Islington home.

The following 90-minutes went splendidly, with a glorious 1-0 victory, blue-and-white ribbons adorning the Cup. Subsequent decades have been an unmitigated disaster.

Arsenal have won numerous trophies and plaudits, played the beautiful game and decamped to the amazing and accessible Emirates. Cheers permeate my living room, cars litter my street and their bouts of discontent appear ludicrous. They should try traipsing around the lower leagues in a daze of football mediocrity!

I have always been a spectator, rather than active participant of sport. Hard work and prowess rarely collude in my world. The incredible antics, sacrifices and spectacle of Paralympians, and to a far lesser extent, professional footballers, are invariably accompanied by hot Bovril and suspect burger. My comfort zones are confined to the stands, amongst the melting-pot of desperados seeking camaraderie, escape, and occasionally, entertainment.

Luckily, the on-field fare is only one component of the supporter experience.

Since the early 1980s, when I began travelling home and away, the Town have been responsible for many unique and unforgettable moments. Sloping out of residential school in Tonbridge on

Saturdays, train up to London, crossing the capital, train to Ipswich, and return journey following yet another inglorious defeat before creeping back undetected. I am yet to ‘tick off’ every game in a season and half-a-dozen shy of the 92-club total.

The heady days of European football appear over, and trips to Torpedo Moscow, Helsingborg and Inter Milan seem increasingly distant memories. From the dazzling Red Square to the dilapidated Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, the cathedrals of the Duomo and the San Siro in Milan, to Scandinavian debauchery in Helsingborg, my travels have given unique insights and experiences.

Next stops, Colchester and Wigan!

Ipswich Town have been a constant throughout my life, for better, or normally worse. I have met people from all walks of life, been to weird and wonderful places, experiencing the highs and lows only an embittered football supporter would appreciate. Having recently become a Trustee of Level Playing Field, I am determined that sporting arenas and experiences should be the preserve of all.

Inclusion and access is critical to ensuring ‘the sporting community’ is fostered, and becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

This would constitute one big ‘tick’ in my book.

For more information about Level Playing Field and its works, visit: www.levelplayingfield.org.uk, email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or call 020 8621 2403.

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 35

Foundation of Light I Momentum

Improving participation through education

A

ground-breaking education programme is paying dividends for schools and pupils in the North East, breaking down barriers to inclusion and raising understanding of what life with a disability is like.

The Foundation of Light, the registered charity of Sunderland AFC, launched the Disability Awareness programme at the end of 2012 with more than 350 youngsters taking part so far.

Through a combination of classroom and activity sessions held over eight weeks, youngsters are introduced to a range of disabilities, with play and football being used to help them develop their understanding of each.

If the school chooses to, they can extend the programme to nine weeks, putting their pupils through the nationally recognised EDI Level 1 Disability Awareness qualification.

Jamie Wright, Director of Football Development at the Foundation of Light comments “with most people, their attitude towards disability is that they want to understand more but don’t know how to go about it or who to ask. We put together a programme that introduces

disability in a simple and fun way that can be tailored to the age group and pupils, teachers and schools have really taken to it.”

So far the programme has been delivered in over 15 Primary, Secondary and Special Schools across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham with fantastic feedback from teachers.

At each weekly session, pupils are introduced to a specific disability and discuss how this may affect a person’s ability to communicate and play games.

The group then take part in games using items such as goggles that provide visual impairments as a way of experiencing what it is like to live with that disability.

One teacher in a Houghton-le-Spring school said in their feedback “(the programme was) insightful for the children – gave them experiences and awareness of others and an opportunity to develop empathy.”

Another teacher, from a Sunderland School commented “It’s given them (the pupils) a much clearer idea of how disabled people can do the same as themselves. It’s helped them understand the needs of some children in their class.”

As well as being delivered in schools, special Disability Awareness sessions have

36 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

been run with teenagers attending the Foundation’s Kicks programme as part of their summer activities. Run in a single four hour session, the teenagers took part in a condensed version of the schools’ course completing two hours of theory work and another two hours of practical application.

Disability Awareness has also become a feature of the Foundation’s highly successful Coaches’ Clinic with more than 40 coaches attending sessions dedicated to coaching those with disabilities.

Jamie adds “most coaches and teachers want to develop and improve the way they communicate with their players. We added Disability Awareness to our Coaches’ Clinic as we felt it was the next step in helping coaches assist those with disabilities get the most out of sport.”

The Foundation of Light has now launched a Coach CPD (Continuous Personal Development) programme, dedicated specifically to raising further awareness, with a different disability being covered at each monthly session.

The programme is even being expanded to incorporate Mental Health Awareness.

For more information about the Foundation of Light and their range of disability programmes call 0191 5515191 or email info@foundationoflight.co.uk

Raising Awareness and participation in Disability Sport Villa in the Community launched as a charity in October 2013, with an emphasis on increasing engagement with the local community, and to widen the provision of the outreach programmes that the club already engage in. In the first year, one of the big focuses has been to increase participation within disability sport, both in football and in other sports.

Villa in the Community were also invited to take part in NAIDEX this year, a disability exhibition at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre that attracts over 10,000 people every year. Villa legend Ian Taylor came down to talk about our projects and demonstrations were held with some of the local children that the club work with in golf, badminton, hockey, football, Powerchair football and visually impaired judo.

Over the next few years, the goal is to expand provision and to bring more sports into the inclusive programme, and develop the various football opportunities available.

Villa’s Football Development Disability Coach Nigel Macrow has been working with schools and groups in the local area for many years, coaching young people with varying degrees of ability including those with visual impairments, physical impairments and learning difficulties. As well as coaching in disability schools, Nigel often works with children identified as SENs in mainstream schools, to improve their skills through sport and football-related activities. This year he will be increasing the club’s powerchair football provision within schools to cope with demand and establish a pathway into the club’s associate powerchair football side the Villa Rockets. Nigel also coaches several AVFC pan-disability teams who are entered into the Birmingham FA Ability Counts League. The teams are very successful and have won the league numerous times under the guidance of Mr Macrow.

As well as football, the club has maintained a disability sport section as part of the Premier League 4 Sport project, aiming to keep young people aged 14+ active and involved in a whole variety of sports. This year Villa in the Community added a badminton session to the judo session that was previously part of the disability provision with PL4Sport. From September golf and tennis will be added, with a view to having a disability session in 6 sports (other than football) by the end of 2015.

In November 2013, Aston Villa took part in the inaugural Birmingham Disability Sports Fest, hosting taster sessions for new participants in Powerchair Football (with the Villa Rockets) and Pan-Disability Football. In July 2014 the club took part again, adding Badminton to the programme. With the addition of the new sports in September, the club hopes to be able to provide even more taster sessions in the festival and get more young people with disabilities playing sport.

Villa Park’s Indoor Academy hosted what is believed to be the world’s first frame-only football match in May. Two fourversus-four matches took place at Villa Park’s Indoor Academy last month as part of a Birmingham FA Ability Counts Football event. The matches were organised by Coundon Court Football Club.

This year has been a big year for the club, with the launch of the charity and the expansion of disability provision, the aim is to grow the projects substantially over the next few years to reach as many young people as possible and introduce them to the sporting opportunities out there for those with disabilities.

In order to do this Villa in the Community requires funding to make things sustainable and to allow the charity to expand its outreach into the community by acquiring more disabilityspecific equipment and increase the capacity of its coaching staff.

With more support the future looks bright for disability sport at Aston Villa.

If you would like to find out more about our projects or you would like to help us raise money to support and expand our disability projects, please email vitc@avfc.co.uk or call the Villa in the Community team on 0121 327 2299.

Football I Momentum

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38 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

MFC Foundation I Momentum

to the second year of delivery, commencing in September 2014 and we hope to engage even more participants in this brilliant programme.

“With disability sport very much in the spotlight through the Olympics and now the Commonwealth games, we hope to increase the numbers participating in year 2 and make this opportunity available to as many people as possible.”

Building stronger local communities through education and sport

M

FC Foundation is Middlesbrough Football Club’s independent charity, set up

by Chairman Steve Gibson in 1996. MFC Foundation uses the power of the MFC brand to engage with the community to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people and adults to maximise their potential to achieve.

Our vision is to raise aspirations and build stronger local communities through education and sport.

MFC Foundation delivers across 6 themes; one of which is Disability and Diversity. In late 2013, MFC Foundation was successful in achieving funding from the Football Association in partnership with York City in the Community and North Riding County Football Association (NRCFA). The funding has enabled MFC Foundation to deliver football to people with disabilities; physical and learning disabilities and individuals who are affected by their mental health.

As well as engagement in football sessions, all delivered by qualified MFC Foundation coaches, the individuals and groups that take part can play in local leagues and gain funding to upskill members of the group to become football coaches themselves.

Within the first year, the project has engaged over 350 people in football sessions, developed six new FA Level 1 coaches, run 6 tournaments giving people the chance to play competitively and created 8 new disability football teams within the region. The tournaments, the majority of which have been run at MFC Foundation’s state-of-the-art Herlingshaw Facility in South Bank, offer competitive opportunities for school, college, community and adult disability groups from the local area.

Helena Pinder, MFC Foundation Manager comments “as an organisation our aim is to provide opportunities for all and this funding has helped us engage people with disabilities and widen our reach locally.

As well as engaging people in football we have also helped developed their skills and increase their opportunities which have become a fantastic benefit of the programme, for those who have been involved. We are very much looking forward

Within year two of the programme, MFC Foundation hope to further the success levels delivered in year one by increasing the amount of disability teams within the area by linking them with already existing football clubs. “We understand the importance of being able to play against other teams and having the chance to take part in competition. It is key aim of MFC Foundation to provide these opportunities and by linking disability teams with already existing football clubs, it helps the team to become part of an already existing, successful set up.”

MFC Foundation are welcoming enquiries from new organisations who would like the opportunity to take part in our disability programme.

“We believe this programme can have a key impact on individuals taking part and we hope to continue the success of our first year into year two. We are always keen to work in partnership with organisations who work with disability groups. We believe we have something unique to offer.”

For further information about MFC Foundation’s disability programme, please contact us at enquiries@mfcfoundation. co.uk or call 01672 757674.

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 39

Leicester-Shire & Rutland I Momentum

Equality of opportunity is at the heart of all sport and physical activity provision within Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland

L

eicester-Shire & Rutland Sport (LRS), one of a network of County Sport Partnerships (CSP), is striving to make Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland the most sporting and physically active place in England by 2015.

Effective partnership working is key to ensure measurable impact and successful delivery of programmes, and Ellesmere College is one such partner. Through collaborative working, interventions are in place to improve the offer for disabled people with specific networks and projects set up within education and the community, together with specialist workforce development and leadership programmes.

Sport England is funding a 3 year community based project to support the development and expansion of community provision. Key to this has been building sound working relationships with a range of partners and community groups

to consider how opportunities can be improved. Success has already been seen through engagement with local authority sport and physical activity teams, through the development of specific action plans to enhance their programmes and improve access to leisure facilities.

Workforce development is high on the agenda to support this and there is a comprehensive Workforce Education programme offering a range of courses to support delivery in a variety of settings.

Within this a successful leadership programme has provided the opportunity to achieve the skills and confidence to support delivery within schools and the community.

This commitment to being inclusive contributed to LRS being recognised as ‘Leading the Way’ when they picked up the national award last year for the delivery of the Sainsbury’s School Games Programme. Building on this success, 2,145 young disabled people competed within this year’s programme. GB Paralympian Sam Ruddock, a member of the LRS Board and an LRS School Games Ambassador, whole heartedly supports the development of competitive opportunities for young people. Sam said, “It’s a joy to watch these young people, of all abilities, compete, have superb fun whilst doing it and crucially, develop the moral fibres that can only be roused through competitive school sport”.

LRS Sportivate funding has enabled 733 young people to participate in a range of dedicated disability projects one of which,

40 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

run by Charnwood Trampoline Club, was visited by GB Paralympian Ellie Simmonds who said “I’m passionate about inspiring other people to be involved in sport and I have really enjoyed meeting everyone today”.

Talented young athletes can benefit from support through GO GOLD, the LRS Talented Athlete programme. Tennis player Matthew Chilvers, a GO GOLD Special Olympian who competed at the 2013 Special Olympic National Games in Bath, continues to improve his performance and has since represented GB at international competitions. Matthew said “Last year was an amazing year and it would not have been possible without support from Leicester-shire and Rutland Sport”.

You can find out more about us online at:

www.lrsport.org @LR_Sport /lrsportcsp

WHEELS Registered Charity No: 1116988

©

MATTERS www.wdsauk.co.uk

In this Issue of Wheels Matters!

Meet Tedwood Bear and hear about his exciting launch into the world of wheelchair dance The WDSA’s BIGGEST Announcement of the Year: Strictly Come Wheelchair Dancing Event! Take Part Now!!!

Our groups keep us going. Meet the thriving WDSA dance groups!

Have you got what it takes to be a Wheelchair Dancer? Calling all novices to enter our Strictly Event.

Meet our team.

Get to know the WDSA.

Our Lovely Patrons- Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton

CONTENTS 02. Introduction to WDSA (UK) & Momentum 03. The Tedwood Club

Introduction to WDSA (UK) & Momentum The Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (WDSA) is the national charity and governing body for wheelchair dance sport and recreational wheelchair dancing within the UK. The aims of the WDSA (UK) are to promote and develop wheelchair dancing as a sport and leisure activity across the country and to raise the standard of instruction and competition in the UK and internationally at all levels. They also aim to make dancing fun and exciting for members and workshop participants, so that people who do wheelchair dance are proud to say “I can do that!”

We aim to make Wheelchair Dance available to every wheelchair user in the UK. Our most recent step in our long term mission is our collaboration with Momentum Magazine. As the most reputable and informative magazine on disability sport we are honoured to publish our 8 page

‘Wheels Matters’ Magazine as part of ‘Momentum’. Thanks to the continued support we have had from Momentum you can expect to hear a lot more from the WDSA in future publications.

It has been a while since our team at the WDSA have had an official publication of ‘Wheels Matters’ out. After all this time without publishing anything in print for all of our supporters (current and future) we have A LOT to talk about.

The WDSA (UK) has been growing and transforming as more and more instructors get trained, groups get set up and members join.

As we are getting bigger as an Association, we are working with partners to offer more opportunities to our members and instructors including more events and activities.

Coming up we have a number of important milestones. In October there will be the final instructor course of the year, held in Bedfordshire. We also will be announcing our regional competitions in March and June and our national competition in October 2015 as well as in June 2015 we will have our Strictly Come Dancing Wheelchair event, “Wheel Come Dancing”. This event marks the WDSA’s biggest fundraiser to date. The event will showcase performances and competitive performances from a wide selection of Wheelchair Dancers from across the UK. The evening will be full of exciting activities, as well as a 3 course meal. More information can be found on page 5.

02 I WHEELS MATTERS I www.wdsauk.co.uk

04. Our Groups 05. WDSA (UK) Strictly Come Dancing Event 06. Meet the Team 07. Meet Tedwood Bear 08. Allied Mobility

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Photos taken by Adam James, Photography contact: adam-james-photography@gmx.co.uk

The Tedwood Launch

At the WDSA we have been busy getting our Wheelchair Dance Kids Club up and running. We have always prided ourselves on offering a service that is completely inclusive and welcomes people of all different backgrounds and abilities. As part of this philosophy we decided that not only should wheelchair dance be available to adults around the UK but it should also be offered as an activity for children. To try and achieve this we have been running taster sessions at special needs schools and trying to get activity leaders trained so that they can confidently run wheelchair dance groups in schools.

Our inspiration came from one of the most unlikely of sources. We were contacted by a young girl who loved Teddy Bears but couldn’t find one that was soft and cuddly that, like her, was a wheelchair user. We were so touched by this that we turned around to her and said, ‘you can’t find one, that’s not a problem. We will make you one.’ After a period of designing and planning, our ‘Tedwood’ bear was born.

We liked the idea of our Tedwood so much that we decided to make him the new mascot for our Wheelchair Dance Children’s Membership. Tedwood now runs his own blog of everything he gets up to on his adventures. He

also has his own website with all the information you could possibly need about Tedwood and our children’s membership. Tedwood first sprung into life at our launch event. On May 31st Lakeside School, in Welwyn Garden City, were kind enough to have us hold the launch of Tedwood bear at their school.

The day was filled with fun activities including the chance to not only meet Tedwood, but to dance with him too.

The event welcomed Tedwood into the world of wheelchair dance as he met some of the children who he was going to support in his club. Not only did Tedwood have a good time but all the children who met him had a wonderful time too. As everyone got involved dancing with Tedwood it became clear that he was a real hit with the children who wanted to try wheelchair dance. After such a successful introduction into the world of wheelchair dance, the future looks bright for our Tedwood bear.

Tedwood bears and memberships are available for purchase online at http://wdsauk.co.uk/store/ For future Tedwood news and to read his blog please visit: http://www.tedwood.wdsauk.co.uk

A word regarding our instructors...

At the WDSA we dedicate ourselves to training new wheelchair dance instructors to run their own groups.

When we see a number of instructors we have trained running their own thriving wheelchair dance groups it gives us inspiration to continue our mission to set up as many groups as possible, in as many different locations as possible. Therefore, we need to extend a big thanks to all our current affiliated wheelchair dance instructors who are doing their bit for wheelchair dance in the UK. We really do owe a great deal to the individuals who are kind enough to offer their time to provide wheelchair dance sessions that offer so much to the participants who attend them. In this light we would like to introduce you to a few of our groups and their dedicated instructors.

Continued on Page 04 >>

Follow Us: @WDSAUK I WHEELS MATTERS I 03

Our Wheelchair Dance Groups (Just a few)... new, exciting productions. For more information and to read some really glittering testimonials from the group’s members please visit the website, www.wheelydifferent.com.

First up we have Wheely Different (Instructor Elaine Ball) …

Kidderminster Town Hall will soon be the venue for a new group of wheelers!

Elaine Ball (level 2 instructor) is set to roll out classes in conjunction with a theatre company for adults with disabilities that she runs with her daughter, Ellie Mouzer. The Wheely Different Theatre Company performed its first show before the public in April 2014 and is already in rehearsal for the next show in 2015. Classes will lead to performances in the show. Dates are still being finalised but as we go to press, Elaine has had confirmation that her work with Wheely Different has been recognised by local District and County Councillors who will be funding a suitable wheelchair for instruction purposes.

Dates will be published on the website as soon as confirmed. www.wheelydifferent.com Elaine is one of our most creative and innovative wheelchair dance instructors. ‘Wheely Different’ truly live up to their name as a group that have been pushing wheelchair dance to its artistic limits and in the process, they have really engaged their members. As one of our groups that work towards performances we are really proud to be affiliated with Elaine and ‘Wheely Different’. We hope to see more from them in the future as the group progresses with

Wheel Keep Dancing Wheel Keep Dancing is the first wheelchair dance group in Dorset teaching Ballroom and Latin dancing.

Its founder and instructor Glenn Bayliss, who has a disability himself and Angie Golding, assistant instructor, both qualified to teach wheelchair dancing with the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association UK (WDSA UK).

The first classes started in Dorchester in September 2013. The regular class became very popular. We now have a new venue that meets our needs and we are holding four workshops in July before starting weekly classes again in September.

Over the past 8 months Wheel Keep Dancing has been asked to visit several different care and residential homes across the county to involve residents in our activities programmes. We have demonstrated wheelchair dancing and the residents and staff have taken part too. We attended a local tea dance hosted by the NHS Mental Health Team. It was supported by residential homes which we had visited along with staff, family members and members of the general public. It was wonderful to be able to assist them in sharing a dance floor with all the other dancers in a St Bernard’s Waltz.

To find out more about Wheel Keep Dancing please contact Glenn or Angie on 07570404509 or email wheelkeepdancing@hotmail.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ wheelkeepdancing or follow us on Twitter @wkddorset

04 I WHEELS MATTERS I www.wdsauk.co.uk

Mayflower Dancers Mayflower Dancers is one of our younger groups, just about reaching its first birthday. The group has come a long way since it was first conceived, largely due to the hard work of Marjorie Corner, the founder and instructor. Marjorie has worked with a large variety of dancers with a range of different disabilities.

“I could never have expected the group to move in the direction it has but feel privileged to provide a valuable service” The work Marjorie does is testament to the diversity of wheelchair dance. In her period as a qualified wheelchair dance instructor she has encountered people of all different walks of life. She has opened her group to care homes, providing a solution to those individuals who often lack the opportunity to get exercise or participate in a creative communal activity.

Marjorie’s work with care homes really emphasises the charitable side of the WDSA. This is important as wheelchair dance has helped so many people to feel enabled by their chairs instead of held back. Our aim is to offer the chance to experience this feeling to every wheelchair user in the U.K. and we can only achieve this by training more instructors.

Marjorie’s group, The Mayflower Dancers, hold their sessions every Wednesday, 14:30-16:30 at The Life Centre in Plymouth.

You can contact the Mayflower Dancers via email mj.corner@btinternet.com How to become involved!

If you would like to become a Wheelchair Dance Instructor and set up a group in your local area then please get in touch with the WDSA regarding instructor courses.

The next course will be in Bedfordshire on 27th October. For more information or to become a member please e-mail: info@ wdsauk.co.uk or call: 0300 111 30 45

A BIG Announcement...

The WDSA team are planning for a number of events next year, one of our BIGGEST events we will be holding, will be our very own Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser On the 19th June, 2015 at The Auction House in Luton.

This event will comprise of Novice/ Beginner dancing pairs from across the UK competing to be the best, as well as showcasing of what the UK has to offer around Wheelchair Dance and Wheelchair Dance Sport.

The event which already has one Sponsor Allied Mobility (more details will follow soon) will include a 3-course meal, as well as showcase dance performances and guest speakers. On the night we will be looking to raise as much money as possible to help enable us to continue to run competitions and training courses to a wide range of people to be involved in the sport of wheelchair dance. But before any of this can happen we need to raise all the required funds which means we are calling on every supporter, member or friend of the WDSA (or in fact anyone who is interested) to come to the event and give your support to the WDSA. The event will all be for charity and we will also be supporting other charities as they enter couples who will have the right to donate to any charity of their choice.

How Can You Get Involved?

We have already got a few couples confirmed but there are still spaces. We encourage anybody who is interested to get involved and sign up as a contestant. We can either pair you or you can sign up as a pair. Alternatively if you would just like to come and watch Tickets are now for sale on the WDSA website at www.wdsauk.co.uk/ store At the moment we are offering

WDSA (UK)

Events and Opportunities a ticket for ÂŁ27 which includes an evening of gourmet meals, wheelchair dance showcase and the chance to experience an exciting and oneof-a-kind event. We can potentially negotiate group booking discount.

If you are interested in attending or participating in this event and want more information then please e-mail george@wdsauk.co.uk Wheelchair Dance Sport UK Competitions Alongside the above event we will be looking to run 3 Competitions next year, these competitions will enable the WDSA to start progressing the competitive side of Wheelchair Dance Sport in the UK. These will be the only three official Wheelchair Dance Sport competitions in the UK for 2015, and will give those members of the WDSA an opportunity to compete and start to progress in this exciting sport from local level right through to competing at IPC level competitions the choice is yours!

If you would like more details on these competitions please look at the events page on our website wdsauk.co.uk or

call the WDSA team on 0300 1113045 or email info@wdsauk.co.uk Sponsorship of the WDSA The growth of the sport of Wheelchair Dance in the UK has meant we are looking for sponsors who want to take the opportunity to get on board with a sport that is expanding and working towards enabling disabled people in the UK to have fun and be active in a sport and dance activity that is open to all. If your organisation or any company you know would like to be an official sponsor of the events the WDSA is running, or if you would like to sponsor athletes to compete at competitions please contact george@wdsauk.co.uk The WSDA are at an ideal stage to get involved with sponsors. We are growing at a substantial rate and looking for partners to support us through this growth. The benefit to sponsors is being part of something that is only set to expand and is still in its early stages. By supporting us now, sponsors will be making a long term investment in what could be the beginning of a growing relationship.

Follow Us: @WDSAUK I WHEELS MATTERS I 05

Meet the Team Here at the WDSA we run on the hard work of a number of dedicated individuals. Rather than take our word for it, we would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the members of our team who maintain and develop the WDSA so that we may be able to help individuals across the UK. Without these hardworking members of the team, the WDSA would not be able to offer wheelchair dance to so many wheelchair users in the UK. Our team is ever-growing and we only have space to introduce our core team.

In the next issue you can meet our volunteers!

Charlotte Bernstein Charlotte has several years experience of working on community arts projects. She learnt ballet and tap as a child and in 2005 re-awakened her love for dance by starting a journey into Kathak (classical Indian dance) which she now teaches beginners. She has an interest in the visual arts, creative writing and nature walks.

George Boustred Having finished my degree studying Film and Television Studies at the University of East Anglia I have taken the position of External Relations Officer for the WDSA (UK). I have always been keen on the performing arts and I am a music lover, both as a listener and a performer, having learnt drums from a young age. Unfortunately my sense of rhythm from playing drums does not translate over to dance. Whilst I do appreciate watching dance performances, my own dance moves rival the ‘granddad at a wedding’ when it comes to style.

Being involved with the WDSA has shown me how important dance can be for an individual, wheelchair user or otherwise. I continue to be

impressed by the work the WDSA does to enrich the lives of its members and instructors. I feel truly privileged to be part of a team that is doing so much to support Wheelchair Dance, something that is important to so many people.

I look forward to a future helping the WDSA to grow and develop in the UK. Kevin Pettifer After graduating with a BA(Hons) in Economics & Economic History from Leicester University, I spent 10 years working in various accountancy roles, mostly in the motor industry. Seeking a change, I then spent a couple of years working outside in nature conservation community projects where I enjoyed helping others, particularly those with mental health problems.

I used to play a lot of badminton and squash but my right shoulder has decided it’s had enough of that. Now I do a lot of walking, enjoy movies and being distracted with online games with my nephew via ipad.

I’m currently helping out with administration and marketing at the Watford office and very pleased I took the opportunity to volunteer here. The more I learn about wheelchair dancing the more I realise how much it can transform lives.

Lin McGeough I have always loved music, my grandparents were amateur ballroom dancers so I grew up seeing the beautiful costumes and trophies and that they were so proud of what they had achieved and the people they helped get involved, I have always wanted to dance but never got around to it.

Since leaving school I developed a back ground in secretarial skills and marketing and I have three fantastic

06 I WHEELS MATTERS I www.wdsauk.co.uk

children who I love especially when they’re asleep.

When my husband and I were planning our wedding we really weren’t sure what to do for our first dance, this is when we first met Sue and Ruth as they taught us a routine for our wedding and they rekindled my love for music and dance and inspired me to become a Level 2 instructor of wheelchair dance and I now run the Watford group with my husband.

I particularly enjoy seeing the difference that wheelchair dance and wheelchair dance sport can make to disabled people’s lives and I look forward to seeing the sport and dance activity grow in the UK. Patrick McGeough Patrick is Business Development Director for the WDSA (UK), Patrick became disabled following a series of strokes in 1997. Patrick has spent most of his working career supporting charities to either be open or more accessible or to see the business opportunity of the disability market. He has also spent a number of years helping disabled people set up their own charities or businesses across the East of England and London Area. Patrick has worked with and for a number of public organisations like the Regional Development Agency, Business Links, Councils and the NHS. One area Patrick formed that supported his rehabilitation was Wheelchair dancing, Patrick and his wife were looking for a first dance for their wedding and the WDSA (UK) supported them to make this a reality. In 2012 Patrick trained to become a level 2 Instructor of Wheelchair Dance and which his wife and he set up a local group in Watford.

Patrick is looking forward to developing the association to reach its full potential in working with partners and building Wheelchair dance and dance sport across the UK.

Meet Tedwood the Bear and some of his friends Have you met Tedwood?

Tedwood is the WDSA (UK) mascot and he loves to dance using his wheelchair, either on his own or with others, whether they are standing or wheelchair users. Tedwood loves being involved in Wheelchair Dance Sport. He gets to dance in all his favourite styles which have been adapted to wheelchairs, including Contemporary, Ballroom and Latin amongst others. Not only does he get to do loads of different styles of dance but wheelchair dance is accessible to everyone so he gets to dance with all of his friends and he even gets to make some new ones (see the front cover photo of Tedwood with WDSA (UK) patrons Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton). Tedwood dances with people of all ages from all over the UK and he is always out and about meeting new people and getting them involved with wheelchair dance.

Even though Tedwood is so busy taking part in all kinds of activities he still manages to keep his blog updated to make sure that everyone knows what he has been up to. You can find out what Tedwood has been up to by looking at his very own website at http://www.tedwood.wdsauk.co.uk Contact Tedwood!

Tedwood wants you to get involved in our next issue, this page will be edited

by Tedwood and he will be adding activities and pictures for you to have a go of but what he really wants is for you to send him pictures and drawing you have done of you dancing and Tedwood will choose the best one to go in the magazine. Email the pictures at Tedwood@wdsauk.co.uk

Tedwood Meets!

Tedwood has been really busy he met a really nice girl called Zoe, who he met through the WDSA team doing a taster session at her school. Zoe is looking forward to a local group setting up near her soon and is really looking forward to the WDSA Team coming back to run some more sessions at her school. If you are like Zoe and want to get involved in the sport of if your school wants to try the sport contact the WDSA on 0300 111 30 45 or email info@wdsauk.co.uk for more information

Get your own Tedwood Bear and join in the fun you can order a bear through the website www.wdsauk.co.uk/store Follow Us: @WDSAUK I WHEELS MATTERS I 07

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Special Olympics GB I Momentum

Special Olympics GB head to Antwerp for 2014 European Summer Games

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team of 49 athletes from across Great Britain has been chosen to represent the country at the Special Olympics European Summer Games in Belgium in September.

The Special Olympics European Summer Games will open on 13th September and will run until the closing ceremony on 20th September 2014.

More than 2,000 athletes with intellectual (learning) disabilities from 58 European countries will take part in the following 10 sports events: Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Football, Bocce, Badminton, Unified Basketball, Cycling, Judo, Table Tennis and Swimming.

Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

It is the European showpiece event for Special Olympics – held every four years for the organisation and its athletes.

Almost 1.2 million people in the UK (2% of the population) have an intellectual disability.

Minister for Sport, Helen Grant, said: “Congratulations to all those who have been selected to represent Special Olympics GB at the Special Olympics European Summer Games in Belgium.

It will be a very proud moment for all the athletes to represent their country and I wish them all the best with their preparations and for the Games in September.”

will provide all return travel, logistical and VIP support for 100 Special Olympics GB athletes, coaches and officials heading to Brussels from St Pancras International on 9th September.

Special Olympics GB CEO, Karen Wallin, said: “I would like to congratulate every single member of our team who will represent Great Britain in Antwerp at the European Summer Games. We are proud of each and every athlete and we know they will strive to be the very best they can. They will all try to bring home medals but, just as importantly, build new friendships and gain memories that will last a lifetime.”

In the photograph we can see Special Olympics GB judo athletes - Thomas Farley and Holly Tadman (both from the South East region); Special Olympics GB ambassador, actor and film star Colin Salmon; Eurostar’s CEO Nicolas Petrovic and Special Olympics GB’s CEO Karen Wallin.

Special Olympics is a global organisation that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to nearly 4 million children and adults with intellectual (learning) disabilities in almost 200 countries. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late President John F Kennedy, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities opportunities to realise their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience friendship. Special Olympics is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the third member of the Olympic family. It is the only sports organisation authorised by the IOC to use the word ‘Olympics’ in its title.

In addition, Special Olympics GB received a huge boost ahead of the Games when Eurostar added its support for their athletes heading to Antwerp. Eurostar

Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive at Eurostar, said: “It’s an honour to carry the Special Olympics GB team to the European Summer Games in Antwerp.

With just days to go until the athletes compete, we are looking forward to sending the team off from London St. Pancras in September. Antwerp is a fast rail connection from Brussels and a great destination for the European Summer Games - it will be easy for sports fans to travel to Belgium to cheer on their teams.”

Karen Wallin added: “I would like to thank Eurostar for extending their travel expertise and support to our athletes for the forthcoming European Sumer Games in Antwerp. Generous contributions, like this one from Eurostar, help to give our athletes the best possible preparation for one of the highlights of their lives.”

If you would like to find out more about Special Olympics GB & their European Summer Games team, please visit our website www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 49

Inclusive Fitness Initiative I Momentum The IFI Mark addresses the physical access of the building, accessible fitness equipment, customer service training and exercise programming, as well as marketing to disabled people. Any gym can apply for the IFI Mark- whether publicly or privately owned.

What makes an accredited facility more accessible to disabled people?

• Facility workforce completes a customer services course designed to empower staff with more information on disability equality as well as better practices.

• Once your gym induction is complete and you have an understanding of how everything works, you can enjoy a personalised fitness programme, written by one of the fitness instructors at the facility.

Why an Inclusive Fitness Initiative facility is for you

V

isiting a gym for the first time can be a daunting experience for some people. The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is working hard through the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) to ensure more disabled people can be active in their local areas. Now with over 400 accredited IFI Mark leisure centres scattered across the country, this summer could be the ideal time to begin your active lifestyle.

• Instructors are qualified to ensure adequate knowledge about appropriate exercise supervision and selection for a variety of users. Programmes in alternative formats will be available upon request.

• After 6-8 weeks, most users will be ready to re-evaluate their fitness programme.

The facility will support you to assess your goals and get you even more motivated to achieve them. It is also an opportunity for a new challenge, to use new equipment and check your techniques are correct to get the most out of your workout.

Using a gym can be more than keeping fit. Being physically active can be and is a lifestyle choice for many disabled people.

There is evidence too! Regular exercise can provide social and personal benefits as well as improving physical and mental health.

For over ten years, EFDS has delivered the IFI Mark. This is the health and fitness sector’s national accreditation scheme for providing an inclusive and accessible service. IFI has made a notable difference to disabled people and the fitness industry.

It has helped to increase the number of IFI Mark facilities available nationally, boosting opportunities for disabled people to be active. EFDS has also produced resources for providers and shared a wealth of good practice across the country.

• Each IFI Mark accredited facility provides a ‘minimum package’ of fitness equipment.

This selection of equipment ensures that a user, regardless of their disability or impairment, will be able to have a full body workout. The minimum package consists of a treadmill, upright or recumbent bike, an upper body ergometer, leg curl, leg extension or leg press and a multi-station, as well as a range of small equipment such as hand weights, squeeze balls and stretch bands.

We hope to make your move towards an active lifestyle less frightening and more exciting. IFI Mark facilities are inclusive and welcoming. You can find an IFI leisure centre through this link: www.efds.co.uk/inclusive_fitness/ifi_gyms If you are a facility or equipment supplier looking to find out more about the IFI Mark, visit this link: www.efds.co.uk/inclusive_fitness/the_ifi_ mark Contact the Inclusive Fitness team on email ifi@efds.co.uk or call 01509 227750.

50 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Ottobock I Momentum

As time went on, Laurence stopped sailing as the difficulties of sailing and doing other activities without a prosthetic leg became apparent. After three years on crutches he was referred to and fitted by Richard Nieveen of ProActive Prosthetics with a computer controlled prosthetic ‘C-Leg’ which provided him with improved mobility but could not be worn on deck due to the risk of water damage.

When Ottobock’s Genium X3 was released Laurence was keen to find out more about the bionic leg which was designed for people who lead an adventurous lifestyle.

He has just been fitted at the ProActive Prosthetics clinic in Surrey.

Laurence went sailing for the very first time on his new waterproof leg on Tuesday 17th June along the south coast from Portsmouth Harbour on a 37 foot cruiser racing yacht with a team from ProActive Prosthetics.

Advanced waterproof bionic leg gets sailing champion back on the water

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8 year old amputee is one of the first UK non-military recipients to be fitted with the world’s most advanced bionic leg from Ottobock to enable him to sail again Laurence Greenough, an 18 year old from Plymouth who lost his leg in a sailing accident, has had his ability to get back on the water restored with the help of the world’s most advanced bionic leg developed by mobility experts Ottobock.

The Genium X3, originally designed for military personnel, is the only completely waterproof microprocessor prosthetic knee and has a Bluetooth remote control to switch between sailing, walking, jogging and cycling modes.

Laurence was just 10 years old when he lost his leg in a tragic accident in the sea.

Sailing in Plymouth harbour, a routine capsize drill and subsequent incident with a safety boat went terribly wrong. The injuries Laurence sustained resulted in an above the knee amputation of his left leg. Only two months after the accident, Laurence was back on the water, choosing to use crutches to get around as there were no suitable waterproof prosthetic legs on the market; using a normal prosthesis in the sea would cause it to corrode.

Carrying on with his sailing dream, he was honoured with the prestigious Raymarine Young Sailor of the Year award in 2007, following in the footsteps of past winners including Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie OBE and world class yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur.

Lawrence states: “The first thing I planned to do was to take it sailing! It also has a ‘walk to run’ feature and bespoke running mode; I had not run since 2006 and it was the most exciting thing to be able to do it again. It makes walking feel so natural – I trust it and don’t have to use so much energy. I feel safe and can just relax and let the leg do all the work.”

The Genium X3 is the world’s most technologically advanced prosthetic leg and features activity modes that will allow Laurence to take part in everything his friends do: sailing, grass boarding, running and football in the park. The bionic technology can be programmed from a laptop and can be switched manually between different modes using bluetooth.

Sensors, a gyroscope and in-built computer mean the Genium X3 can be programmed to perfectly match Laurence’s lifestyle.

Richard Nieveen, Laurence’s prosthetist at ProActive Prosthetics, explains: “The set up and fitting of Laurence’s new leg is tailored to get him back doing all of the things he enjoyed before his accident. We’ve also programmed a special sailing mode in the knee to allow him to move around the boat with ease – and of course he’ll be safe in the knowledge that he can get it wet without any problem” For more information on Ottobock’s range of innovative solutions that restore mobility please visit www.ottobock.co.uk or follow @ottobockuk.

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 51

Sport England I Momentum

Helping people and communitites create a sporting habit for life

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port England is committed to helping people and communities across the country create a sporting habit for life. We know that disabled people are less likely to take part in sport, with only one in six playing sport regularly compared to one in three non-disabled people. Our work will seek to change this and help disabled people to view taking part in sport as a practical lifestyle choice. This means investing in organisations and projects that will get more people playing sport and creating opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.

Sport England have a dedicated disability team which sits within the Insight Directorate. This directorate is responsible for putting insight at the heart of decision making, and in doing so, changing the way Sport England and others think and act to drive increased participation and improved talent development. Working to ensure that high quality data and insight is openly available and shared across the community sport sector in England, the disability team have produced a number of infographics, including the one above, to provide a snapshot of where Sport England has

invested £171 million into disability sport, who is taking part and how. To view all the infographics, visit www.sportengland.org/ our-work/disability/disability-infographics One of the projects included on the investment infographic is the £1 million National Lottery investment for the Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All Inclusive Community Training Programme. This programme will improve the quality and amount of sport provision for disabled people in the community. The training is aimed at support workers, parents, carers, healthcare professionals, volunteers and community based groups and organisations rather than sports coaches and volunteers, to improve knowledge, competence and confidence in delivering sports based activities to disabled people of all ages.

The training consists of a three hour practical workshop complemented by online learning that will support the workshop participants before and after the training. In addition to building confidence and competence it will also introduce workshop participants to other coaching opportunities for further development, if of interest. To find out more about the training programme email AK4A@efds. co.uk or telephone 01509 227751.

Often people’s choice of sport is inspired by others, whether that be by family or friends, or by elite athletes competing at a national and international level. Over the coming weeks there are a number of events which are set to celebrate and inspire. National Paralympic Day is being held on Saturday 30th August at Queen Elizabeth Olympic

52 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Park, London, as well as at regional events held in Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow. The day of celebrations provides plenty of free, family friendly activities and entertainment, including the chance to try out different disability and inclusive sports such as wheelchair basketball, inclusive cycling, tennis and boccia. There will even be the chance to meet some of the stars of London 2012 including Paralympic gold medallist Jessica-Jane Applegate who will be amongst a number of London 2012 medallists returning to compete in home water for the first time since the London games. The swimming meet is one of four elite sports competitions taking place on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the day. For more information visit: http:// paralympics.org.uk/news/star-london2012-medallists-return-to-paralympicpool-for-npd In Manchester from 4 – 7 September some of the most talented athletes in the UK will take part in the 2014 Sainsbury’s School Games. Supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, six of the 12 sports at the event include disability competition. For more information, visit https://www.yourschoolgames.com/ For more information on Sport England please visit: www.sportengland.org or tweet @sport_england or visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ sportengland

dmin@ ch.uk

Valence School is a foundation special day and residential school for children and young people aged 4 to 19 who have physical disabilities and complex medical needs.

A Sports College since 2008, we provide a minimum 3 hours PE a week for 100% of our students plus additional opportunities in Paralympic, disability and inclusive activities at intra and inter-school, Regional, County and National League level. We are a Centre of Excellence for Disability Archery and Boccia.

Valence introduced Powerchair Football to our students in 2004 and now has a national presence together with our spin off team Sevenoaks Vikings regularly competing in regional and national events.

Adam 15, a student here at Valence School is a potential England Squad member and describes powerchair football as the “beautiful game”. He says “…you get to socialise with other people with disabilities and you get to compete…. It gives people with severe disabilities the opportunity to play a fast pace team sport, there is nothing like it” Valence School is proud to be at the forefront in developing and promoting Powerchair Football, bringing young disabled people and families together to share a passion and to be positive about the future.

www.valenceschool.com Sport Enquiries to Jo Eames- Director of Sport sportscollegeadmin@valence.kent.sch.uk

Powerchair Football Enquiries - Adam McEvoy South Powerchair Football Development Officer The Wheelchair Football Association:

vikings@valence.kent.sch.uk

General Enquiries: ebrown@valence.kent.sch.uk

DSAuk I Momentum

Making sport more accessible for people with dwarfism

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he Dwarf Sports Association UK was founded in 1993 and in 21 years has grown to have over 500 members. The aim of DSAuk is to make sport more accessible for people with dwarfism and to allow people to compete on a level playing field.

DSAuk offers both regional and national events for our members to come along and participate in many sports at both grass roots and higher levels.

Recent and forthcoming events The National Games 2014 so far has been an incredible year for DSAuk. From 3rd-5th May, the National Dwarf Games took place in the Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Walsall areas. 185 athletes attended from around the globe which made it the biggest ever UK National Games.

On Saturday 3rd May, The Alexander Stadium in Birmingham hosted the opening day for Track and Field events.

The National Games was opened by our Patron and Paralympic Gold Medallist, Ellie Simmonds and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham. We were delighted to welcome record numbers of new athletes and were very impressed by the incredible personal bests achieved by many long term members.

British Weightlifting hosted the superb Powerlifting event on Saturday evening.

Carter Balaberda from Canada won the gold medal by lifting 150kgs which was twice his own body weight.

The Annual DSA Swimming Gala took place on Sunday morning and was supported by Paralympians Ellie

Simmonds and Matt Whorwood.

Swimming is one of the most popular events at the Games and large numbers of athletes took part.

During Sunday afternoon, athletes took part in Table Tennis, Shooting, Hockey and Cycling. Table Tennis proved to be an impressive tournament with some outstanding performances from all. The French team dominated and took all three medals in the men’s open class.

54 athletes participated in the Shooting event which made the competition very popular. Most people achieved over 80 points which is an incredible feat. Another record breaking entry was seen for the Cycling event with riders from around the globe taking part. Five riders finished the 550m banked track course in under one minute with one member finishing in under 50 seconds.

The traditional DSAuk dinner and disco was held on Sunday evening to celebrate the success of all athletes who took part in the Games.

Monday was the final day of the National Games and the traditional team sports of Basketball and Football were played.

Both tournaments delivered very exciting performances and many athletes showed incredible ball skills. The Ladies Football competition was closely fought and was settled without a penalty shoot out for the first time in two years.

The 2014 Regional Trophy was won by the South East region with South Central being a very close second. The scores are decided on an average points per head basis so even the smaller regions have a chance to win.

The National Games was brought to a close by a speech from the chair and was one of the most enjoyable events of the year to date.

54 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

What’s next?

The next national event taking place is the fabulous Sailing and Canoeing Day where our members take part in a fun filled day of water sports and enjoy a hog roast.

As we move into the autumn, DSAuk return to Wolverhampton and Walsall for the ever popular national Boccia and Badminton weekend in October.

Do Something Amazing During the 2014 National Games, DSAuk launched the ‘Do Something Amazing’ initiative. Whether it be hitting a personal best, participating in a sponsored fundraising event, undertaking a superhuman challenge or trying a brand new sport, we aim to encourage people to achieve something amazing.

All our ‘Do Something Amazing’ stories are published on the DSAuk Facebook and Twitter pages.

How to get involved Along with our national events, DSAuk has eight regions within the UK where our members meet regularly to take part in local activities. All events are advertised on www.dsauk.org.

If you would like to become a member, visit www.dsauk.org and click ‘Join Us’.

WheelPower I Momentum

“

Thousands of disabled people transform their lives every year through WheelPower’s sport programme

Providing opportunities for disabled people to live healthy active lifestyles

A

t WheelPower we are passionate about sport and dedicated to providing opportunities for disabled people to live healthy active lifestyles.

On the second anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we can start reflect on the impact of the event that would “inspire a generation.”

A recent Government report showed WheelPower and our partnership organisations have been central towards providing a legacy for disabled people all across the nation. The report noted 5 key legacies from the 2012 Paralympics, of which WheelPower were involved in three.

• Over 6,000 disability sport sessions delivered through Motivate East in east London

”

• National Paralympic Day, part of the Motivate East programme at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park • Stoke Mandeville Stadium’s role in all future Paralympic flame lighting ceremonies. The first was for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games in March this year.

Our goal over the last 2 years has been maximise the many benefits of sport for disabled people at the birthplace of the Paralympic movement and all around the country.

Sport can develop confidence and improve fitness but it’s also a great way to have fun and make friends. There are tremendous physical and psychological benefits, whatever your age or ability and that’s why more and more people are joining our sport events.

However, there are an estimated 750,000 wheelchairs users in the UK, many more have a disability which means they would use a wheelchair to play sport. There is still much more we can do to transform the lives of disabled people.

You can join us in this mission as either participant, supporter or volunteer through the free membership of WheelPower. Sign up now for free at www.wheelpower.org.uk and together we can transform lives.

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 55

The Cycle Show I Momentum

The Quest 88 inclusive hub returns to The Cycle Show 2014

Q

uest 88 will once again be hosting the Inclusive Cycling Hub at the 2014 Cycle Show (September 26th – 28th Birmingham NEC). From handcycles and tricycles through to companion cycles and recumbent bikes, Quest 88 will be exhibiting its most popular products and offering a wealth of information for individuals, families, friends and carers who want to access or try the latest inclusive cycles.

In addition to the latest cycles and information there will also be a ‘Feeding Station’ which is being manned by representatives from Quest 88 and EmpoweredPeople, a charity set up by Simon Lord with the aim of inspiring adults with additional needs to take up cycling as a means of increased wellbeing, independence and fitness by providing advice, training, support and encouragement.

EmpoweredPeople recently organised a ‘tour of Anglesey’ for riders with reduced mobility and will be holding its second coast to coast event in September prior to the show and the ‘Feeding Station’ will give visitors a taste of what these events involve.

running each day with the fastest male, female and child being announced at the end of the show.

“Following the success in recent years we are delighted once again be bringing the Inclusive Cycling Hub to the Cycle Show. With new equipment and funding streams being announced on a regular basis there is no doubt that the world of accessible cycling is growing day by day” commented Robert Henshaw, Joint Managing Director, Quest 88.

To buy tickets and for a full list of brands at The Cycle Show 2014, visit www.cycleshow.co.uk and use the Momentum readers’ discount code MOM for a special price of £11.50.

For the more competitive visitors there will be a handcycle roller competition

Russ Downing NFTO Pro Cycling

JOIN US

AT THE UK’S #1 CYCLING EXHIBITION BOOK NOW CYCLESHOW.CO.UK/MOM Tickets just £11.50 (£16 on the door) Kids tickets £1. Enter discount code ‘MOM’ when prompted

Show supporters

Keep up to date

@CycleShow

56 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

facebook.com/CycleShow

For full terms and conditions visit cyleshow.co.uk/tcs

Cycling I Momentum

RooDog:

I

A New Breed of EBIKES

n January 2013, a new breed of ebikes – RooDog was established. This family run business based in a beautiful seaside town called Hornsea, East Yorkshire. Scott Voase and Weiwei Wu founders and directors of the company created a range of electric bikes aim to suite everyone’s taste, lifestyle, needs and budgets.

They are passionate about what they do, and believe excellent customer services and aftersales are key to a successful business.

They promote green emissions, cost saving, health and well being.

Scott and Weiwei work closely with their team in terms of designs, specifications and regular visits to their factories are made to ensure high standards are met and maintained. The current RooDog range consists of classic looking

Chic and Tourer (Step-over); the trendy and sleek looking Avatar with removable built-in battery (available in both step-over and step-through); the lightweight Striker which weighs less than 20Kg including battery; Explorer for the mountain bike style lovers; The space saving foldable bike Bliss; and the unique Polka Dot bike that designed just for the female riders.

Please visit their website www.roodog.co.uk for the full range and their specifications.

RooDog has a network of retailers around the country, and it’s still growing. If you are interested in becoming part of the RooDog family, please get in touch via email trade@roodog.co.uk or call 01964 536570.

Key features:

Here at RooDog, we continuously carry out research and development into the requirements of the UK electric bicycle market, helping us to consistently deliver innovative, high quality, good looking, and affordable range of ebikes.

> Competitively priced > Stylish, light weight and high quality > Lithium batteries with a range of 30+ miles power assisted (PAS) > 3 pedal assisted power levels, with top speed of 15.5mph > 12 months warranty on all electrical parts > UK based family run business > Friendly and fully experienced staff, excellent customer service

Web: www.roodog.co.uk email: talktous@roodog.co.uk Tel: 01964 536570 Address: Brockholme Farm, Seaton Road, Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU18 1BZ >> For a 5% discount on any purchase, quote RooDog5: Available In-Store, by Phone & Web

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 57

British Triathlon I Momentum

Creating a sport which is inclusive to people with all ranges of disabilities

T

he decision was made in China on 11 December 2010 that Paratriathlon will be included for the first time as a full programme sport for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games Over the past 5 years British Triathlon has worked tirelessly to create a sport which could be as inclusive as possible to people with all ranges of disabilities, and this led to the National Paratriathlon Programme.

British Triathlonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development strand is all about developing the best foundations in areas such as clubs, coaching and events, and with this we aim to increase the number of athletes participating in our sport at grass roots level. Our UK Sport Lottery funded World-Class Performance Programme is focussed on creating Paralympic Champions.

There has never been a better time to access this fast and exciting sport, which is growing rapidly each year, we have opportunities at every level from complete beginner to those competing at international level.

Para-Triathlon Classification There are five sport classes in paratriathlon: PT1 - Wheelchair users. Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to: muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis that prevent the ability to safely ride a conventional bike and run. Through classification assessment, athletes must

have a score of up to 640,0 points. Athletes must use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment.

PT2 - Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement that through classification assessment have a score of up to 454,9 points. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT3 - Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement that through classification assessment have a score from 455,0 to 494,9 points. In both bike and run segments, the athlete may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT4 - Includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement that through classification assessment have a score from 495,0 to 557,0 points included. In both bike and run segments, the athlete may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT5 - Total or Partial visual Impairment (IBSA/IPC defined sub-classes B1, B2, and B3): Includes athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception in either eye, to some light perception but unable

58 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

to recognize the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction (B1) and partially sighted athletes with a visual acuity of less than 6/60 vision or visual field less than 20 degrees with best corrective vision (B2-B3). A guide from the same nationality and gender is mandatory throughout the race. Must ride a tandem during the bike segment.

Triathlon Membership & Growth Triathlon is a fast-growing sport. The number of members has been steadly increasing and there are over 500 registered clubs in Britain.

Being in a triathlon club entitles members to Home Nation membership at a reduced cost. Athletes with Home Nation membership can enter races at a reduced rate. Those without Home Nation membership must buy a day licence (ÂŁ3) to race. Membership covers insurance during training as well as competition.

I Momentum

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Solution: XTENEX XTENEXlaces lacescompensate compensatefor fornatural natural footswelling swellingby bystretching, stretching, Solution: Problem: Ill fitting Shoes – “Few people are born foot with foot problems. while maintainingaasecure securefitfitaround aroundyour yourfoot, foot,providing providingallallday day comfort. while Manymaintaining foot problems develop due to …. ill fitting shoes.” foot.comcomfort.

Problem:IllIllfitting fittingShoes Shoes––“Few “Few peopleare areborn bornwith withfoot footproblems. problems.

Problem: Solution: XTENEX laces createpeople a custom ergonomic fit by fastening Manyfoot footproblems problemsdevelop developdue duetoto…. ….illillfitting fittingshoes. shoes. ” foot.com Many ” foot.com independently at each eyelet.

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Insert the lace tip through the eyelet…grab the STEPS STEPS lace tip securely in one hand, then from the Insert thelace lacetip tipthrough through the eyelet…grab the opposite side of the eyelet grab a section of the 1.1.Insert the the eyelet…grab the lacetip tip securely one hand, thenfrom from the with your other hand, stretch the lace lace securely ininone hand, then the opposite side of the eyelet grab a section of the (picture side 1). of the eyelet grab a section of the opposite lacewith withyour yourother otherhand, hand,stretch stretchthe thelace lace lace 2. While in the stretched position, pull the lace (picture1).1). (picture through the eyelet; set the adjustment for a light While theacross stretched position, pullthe thelace lace tension fit theposition, foot.

DO pull NOT OVER2.2.While ininthe stretched through theeyelet; eyelet;set setthe theadjustment adjustmentfor foraalight light TIGHTEN. through the tensionfitfitacross acrossthe thefoot. foot.DO DONOT NOTOVEROVERtension 3. Gently releasing the lace tension will cause the TIGHTEN. TIGHTEN. knots to reemerge securing your desired fit.

Gentlyreleasing releasingthe thelace lacetension tensionwill willcause causethe the 3.3.Gently 4. Repeat steps until the shoe is fully laced. knotstotothese reemerge securing yourdesired desired fit. knots reemerge securing your fit.

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Repeat • DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN NOTE NOTE • There should only be slight tension across • DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN the foot (picture 2).

• DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN • There shouldonly onlybe beslight slight tension across • There tension across the For ashould customized fit, it’s best to adjust the foot (picture the foot (picture lace while your2).2). foot is in the shoe. adjustthe the • Foraacustomized customizedfit, fit,it’s it’sbest besttotoadjust • For

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www.xtenex.co.uk email: mckibbinsports@aol.com

The Fitness Benefits of Triathlon: • Works your whole body, not just certain muscles, therefore giving you a lean and muscular pyhsique • Swimming and cycling are both non weight-bearing sports, so reduce stress on the body whilst still giving you and excellent workout • There are events of all distances, so the sport is accessible to all • Training for three sports rather than just one will reduce your risk of injury • Boosts general fitness and self confidence • Regular exercise can lower blood pressure, prevent cancer and heart disease, reduce your risk of osteoporosis, and prevent you from getting diabetes

For more information please visit: britishtriathlon.org Twitter: @BritTri Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 59

LimbPower I Momentum

The benefits of physical activity on children’s health

W

e know from regular stories in the media that there is an increasing concern about the children of this country becoming less active with all the distractions of screenbased entertainment cutting down on the amount of time that our kids spend outside, participating in more traditional, physical games and activities.

There is a growing responsibility being shouldered by our schools to provide a significant proportion of the recommended 60 minutes daily of moderate to vigorous physical exercise that our children should be undertaking.

This is difficult enough to accomplish for able-bodied children, but even more so for children with disabilities where lack of knowledge amongst teaching staff, and lack of appropriate equipment can become barriers to access.

The UK Chief Medical Officer’s report states that the benefits of physical activity on children’s health include: • Preventing physical ill health in the long term • Promoting psychological health and wellbeing • Supporting the acquisition of social skills • Stimulating better concentration in schools All of these outcomes are important, but when considering children with disabilities perhaps the second point, relating to psychological wellbeing has particular resonance. These children are faced every day with the additional

challenges that their physical impairment brings, and at a time in their lives when ‘fitting in’ is so important it is crucial that they are not made to feel that they can’t join in with the activities with all the other children.

Research (Groff, DG and Kleiber, DA in 2001) indicated that participation in adapted sports appeared to provide the majority of youth’s surveyed with a heightened sense of competence and opportunities to express their “true” selves.

In addition, sport participation by the youths with disabilities led to decreased awareness of their disabilities and facilitated exploration and expression of identity alternatives”. In addition research

by Taub, DE and Greer, KR (2000) found that “physical activity is a normalizing experience for disabled children because it facilitates perceptions of legitimating their social identity as children and provides a setting in which social networks with peers are enhanced”.

The Youth Sport Trust are working towards equipping teachers with the necessary training to ensure that all children are offered the opportunity to participate in school sports through the Active Kids for All Inclusive PE initiative, funded by a partnership formed with Sainsbury’s, the BPA and EFDS. This programme offers free training and resources to teachers and school staff to enable them to provide high quality PE to all young people, and importantly to be able to include disabled children in the mainstream PE curriculum.

LimbPower are working with the parents and ambulant disabled children to engage them in sport in a safe and conducive environment to give them the confidence and skills to enable them to join in sport at school. In 2012 we launched the Junior Games, a version of the Amputee Games specifically for children aged between 5 and 18 years, introducing them to a wide range of Paralympic sports, with

60 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

instruction from qualified coaches and experienced athletes. For many of the children and young people who took part, this was not only the first time they had tried some of the sports, but also the first time that they had been with others ‘like them’ and to see the growth in confidence many of them experienced and the sense of achievement they created was inspiring for all.

The annual event has gone from strength to strength, and this year the focus will be on featuring the sports that are traditionally on offer in school. To that end, the Junior Games 2014 will offer participants the chance to try netball, football, rounders, athletics, cycling, tennis, swimming and cricket as well as specifically Paralympic sports such as sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.

For some this experience may be a defining moment and who knows, they may go on to become Paralympians themselves, but for many this will simply be a fun way to try something new in a relaxed, encouraging atmosphere and show them that there is no “I can’t” when it comes to taking part in sport and games.

The LimbPower Junior Games 2014 will be held on 4th& 5th October at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. Anyone who is interested in finding out more should contact Gemma Trotter, LimbPower Sports Officer on gemma@limbpower.com

University of Worcester I Momentum

Developing sporting opportunities for all

T

he University of Worcester is a national centre of excellence for disability sport, and home to the UK’s first specialist disability sport degree pathway as well as the ground-breaking University of Worcester Arena, a 2,000 seater sports venue designed throughout with inclusive practice in mind.

Students studying Sports Coaching Science with Disability at Worcester gain a firm foundation in the fundamentals of sports coaching, whilst developing an enhanced understanding of disability

sport, and how to develop truly inclusive sporting opportunities for all. There is a strong emphasis on applied learning, with students enjoying many opportunities to gain invaluable practical experience; including the opportunity to run their own inclusive sports festival for local young people.

As Course Leader Dr Andrea Faull explains, “We want to make sure our students have the skills, knowledge and experience they will need when they graduate and move in to employment. We aim to ensure our students develop a flexible and inclusive way of thinking about sport.”

The University of Worcester enjoys a well established pedigree in disability sport, from the grass roots up to elite level international competition. Staff and students at Worcester have experience in both coaching and competing at international level across a wide range of Paralympic sports.

The University of Worcester Arena is the training base for both the GB Men’s and Women’s wheelchair basketball

teams ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and will itself host the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships in 2015. Worcester student, Sophie Carrigill, captains the women’s team. For Sophie, Worcester is the premier place to combine sport and study: “Being based at Worcester has given me a great opportunity to be able to train with the team every day and to be fully involved with the centralised programme,” she said.

The University of Worcester is at the forefront of the drive to create more opportunities for disabled people to access meaningful sporting activity, at a level that suits them. For Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, the University’s students hold the key to success, “When these students graduate and find employment as teachers and coaches, they will take with them an understanding of how to be truly inclusive in everything they do. That, in turn, will make a massive difference to the lives of people with a disability who want to have the chance to access more sport.”

A FIRST FOR WORCESTER Study on the UK’s first bespoke Sports Coaching Science with Disability Sport Degree at the University of Worcester.

Find out more: • Visit us at an Open Day • Take a look on our website • Contact us on 01905 855141 or via study@worc.ac.uk

Take your place in the world.

www.worcester.ac.uk

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 61

Dan Smith I Nutrition in November 2009 which to my amazement I won, making me the first Wheelchair Amateur IFBB World Champion, without doubt my proudest moment.

I turned pro in 2010 and I’m now a full time IFBB Wheelchair Pro Bodybuilder.

My biggest challenge along the way was the fact that there were never any UK wheelchair body building competitions, but with a lot of hard work and determination this has changed and we managed to put together the first wheelchair bodybuilding category at the British Finals in 2010, this is something I dedicate my time to because we deserve to be there on stage like any other pro bodybuilder, we train as hard, if not harder as our daily lives are hard enough on their own.

Thankfully I have achieved a lot through bodybuilding competitions in the UK making people more aware.

If I had to offer advice to someone in a wheelchair that’s wanting to body build I would say find yourself a training partner that knows all your needs, because then you will be safe in the gym, don’t be afraid to ask for help and remember nutrition is everything.

Dan Smith: IFBB Wheelchair Pro Bodybuilder

Supplements are vital for my training and I have recently been sponsored by Xenca, a British company who have been extremely helpful with the amount of information about their products and one to one support, supplying me with a couple of amazing products ‘Collagen Revitalise’ and ‘Five a Day+’

>> www.dansmith-uk.com

Being in a wheelchair means that for the rest of my life my elbows and shoulders are going to take a massive amount of wear and tear, the collagen powder has made a huge difference in reducing the amount of pain I was getting in my joints and also helps with faster recovery post training.

I

got started in bodybuilding at the age of 20, because I was only about 8 stone and unable to buy a beer unless I had my ID with me.

I worked in the building trade and in October 2006 I had an accident at work which left me paralysed from the waist down and wheelchair bound, I spent the next 6 months in the National Spinal unit at Stoke Mandeville receiving intense rehabilitation.

When I came home I had a very up and down year dealing with life in my wheelchair but finally a mate got me back to the gym in mid 2008 and another mate who runs the local UKBFF show set me a challenge of getting back in shape and doing a guest spot.

I accepted and trained extremely hard for this and it paid off, in April 2009 my guest spot got me a standing ovation, and that was it… I had the bug.

I did another guest spot at the British finals in October 2009 but from there I was invited to compete in the first ever wheelchair World Championships in Poland

62 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

I eat a lot of meat and rice but I’m not good with my vegetables so the Xenca Five a Day+ has been a brilliant supplement in my diet, I take a couple of spoons daily with my collagen and protein shakes, especially as I need to control my bowel/bladder and this product really helps me with keeping regular control. I recently went away for a weekend and forgot to take my Five a day+ with me after a couple of days without it I was really noticing a difference in how I was feeling generally but once back home and taking it again, within a couple of days I was feeling good again.

“As a wheelchair bodybuilder my arms and joints get used constantly, they ache with mild pain so the use of Xenca Revitalise Collagen has helped massively with a heaped teaspoon twice a day.”

“I also eat a large amount of meat in my diet but I’m not great at eating vegetables so the Xenca Five a Day+ has been a brilliant supplement in my diet especially as I need to control my bowel/ bladder and this product really helps me with keeping regular control.”

Dan Smith - World Champion IFBB Wheelchair Pro Bodybuilder

Collagen

…the glue that holds you together

Revitalise Collagen by Xenca Collagen is a key component in our hair, skin, nails and connective tissue, providing them with firmness and strength. From early adulthood onwards our body produces less and less collagen resulting in a net loss of 1% or more a year. As a result bones lose density, skin loses firmness and muscles lose strength.

The Revitalise range of collagen aims to help combat this problem.

Made with types I and Ill collagen (in the form of collagen hydrolysate for easy absorption), this nutritional supplement should be taken in conjunction with a balanced diet. The range includes both pure collagen formulations as well as supplements which combine additional ingredients to target specific needs.

Collagen Revitalise To supplement the primary structural protein in the body.

Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of collagen supplements in the treatment of degenerative joint disease. Other benefits linked with collagen supplementation include firmer skin, a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, faster recovery from injury, stronger nails and healthier hair. For best results take the recommended amount of collagen with water before bedtime for optimal absorption during sleep.

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Among its many reported health benefits, this natural food supplement has been found to boost energy, aid detoxification, improve recovery and improve mental concentration. It may also lower cholesterol and produce a measurable reduction in biological age.

Five a Day+ Powder Mix with juice or still water according to preference, or blend into your favourite smoothie.

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Disability Snowsport UK I Momentum

Making skiing and snowboarding Accessible for All

D

isability Snowsport UK is a national charity which seeks to enrich and enhance the lives of those with a disability by enabling them to take part in skiing and snowboarding.

For nearly 30years we have applied exceptional know-how and adaptability to enable those with a disability to experience the joy of skiing alongside the able-bodied. We provide therapeutic, life-enhancing and most importantly, exciting activities for individuals and groups of all ages who require adaptive equipment, specialist instruction and support.

We believe that anyone with some degree of mobility can

participate in snowsport, and as such, we support and encourage each individual to reach their full potential on the slopes. In some cases, a person can ski better than they can walk, providing a freedom previously unknown to them.

The experience of snowsport often proves to be life-changing, with numerous physical, mental and emotional benefits.

We provide ski lessons for anyone with any disability at ski slopes throughout the country.

Our fully qualified adaptive instructors can deliver one to one and group lessons.

We run adaptive ski schools in Cairngorm, Manchester, Castleford, Milton Keynes, Tamworth, Glasgow and Hemel Hempstead.

For further enquiries or to book your lesson please email lessons@ disabilitysnowsport.org.uk or call 0845 521 9338

Shouldn’t everyone have the opportunity to ski?

As the UK’s Skier’s and Boarder’s Charity, we believe that skiers & snowboarders, no matter what their disability, should be able to ski and ride alongside the able bodied as equals at all snowsports facilities and resorts.

To get involved and find out more call us on 01479 861 272 or go to www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk For people looking to book a lesson, Use discount code DSUK5 to get £5 off a lesson. Promotion ends 15th Feb 2015 and one per customer.

64 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

The 2014 Winter Paralympic Games

T

he 2014 Winter Paralympic Games were the most successful ever for the Great Britain Team as they brought home a total of 6 medals.

Highlights for the ski team were a first ever British Gold medal on snow at either the Olympics or Paralympics, won by Visually Impaired skier Kelly Gallagher and her guide Charlotte Evans and VI skier Jade Etherington and her guide Caroline Powell winning 4 medals (3 silver and 1 bronze) making them the most

successful ever British female winter Paralympians and the first British winter athletes to win four medals at one Games.

The whole team, which included three teenagers, performed incredibly well with a string of top 10 finishes highlighting the strength and depth this young team has. Our athletes will definitely be some of the ones to watch at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The athlete’s performances raised the level of awareness and interest in winter sports for the disabled in the UK and the British Disabled Ski Team has seen a surge in enquiries for information on how to join. If you think that you have what it takes to represent your country then please contact us at bdstadmin@ disabilitysnowsport.org.uk .

Disability Snowsport UK I Momentum

Ski 2 Freedom:

D

SUK members are often signposted to Ski 2 Freedom when they wish to progress from skiing in the UK to the real snow and need information on which ski school and resort best suits their specific needs and requirements thus being able to enjoy a totally inclusive and accessible winter holiday with family and friends. We also are able to sign-post people to DSUK who wish to either experience a group activity ski holiday or wish to learn to ski or snowboard in the UK. By providing a comprehensive Information Resource on skiing and mountain activities, Ski 2 Freedom compliments the work being done by UK snow sport organisations. Our expertise is gained from working in

close partnership with ski schools and resorts, in Europe and worldwide, ensuring that the information we have meets the specific needs and requirements associated with all types of disabilities and special needs.

Working together ensures that we can use our knowledge and experiences to encourage and promote the therapeutic benefits to be found in snowsport activities for individuals, families and carers whose lives are affected by disability, special needs or life-changing conditions thereby helping to encourage self-confidence, selfesteem, positivity, improvement in quality of life, health and well-being and combating social isolation.

Ski 2 Freedom’s comprehensive Information Resource on snow sports and mountain activities is aimed at helping you to stretch the boundaries and meet new challenges!

Ski Austria Ski holidays to Austria for people with disabilities and their friends/families.

a Specialist Ski Instructors & Equipment a Accommodation, Flights & Transfers

• Start skiing or snowboarding for the first time whatever the disability or life-challenging condition • Take your existing winter sport skills to new dimensions • Enjoy a totally inclusive and accessible ski holiday with friends and family Our personal experiences and knowledge of ski schools and resorts allows us to match your specific needs and requirements.

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Mountain Beds www.mountainbeds.com specialise in sourcing accommodation for skiers across the Alps. Following a request from a disabled client Mountain Beds contacted Ski 2 Freedom about ski activity. A new partnership formed and they now help identify suitable accommodation from their extensive portfolio for our disabled and special needs clients.

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 65

Scottish Disability Sport I Momentum

S

cottish Disability Sport is the Scottish governing body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with physical, sensory or learning disability. Scottish Disability Sport has the vision of leading the development of sport and physical activity recreation for disabled people in Scotland and contributing to UK and international initiatives.

Scottish Disability Sport has a network of 13 local branches covering 94% of the population of Scotland (footnote census 2011). Beyond this Scottish Disability Sport has a Regional Manager structure covering 100% of Scotland. Both branches and Regional Managers are there to provide support and develop sporting opportunities for children, athletes and players with a disability. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the branch network and other opportunities available to existing and potential participants.

Scottish Disability Sport membership comprises 13 local branches. Branches are charitable voluntary local organisations with close working partnerships with Scotland’s local authorities and leisure trusts. Scottish Disability Sport branches are run by dedicated and committed volunteers and increasingly co-ordinated by paid administrators. The purpose of these branches is to co-ordinate local and regional sporting opportunities and events for all ages and abilities. They are constantly looking to attract new participants into sport and physical activity, or indeed anyone who has an interest in providing opportunities for people with a disability.

Opportunities are varied and diverse and can include any activity in line with the philosophy of the Sports Inclusion Model (SIM) initiated by Scottish Disability Sport.

The SIM model encourages a flexible approach to the development of sport and physical activity opportunities. Some disabled sports participants may benefit from discrete activities tailored specifically to their impairment, however others may benefit from increased involvement in an inclusive mainstream sporting environment.

SDS Branches act as a voice for Disability

Scottish Disability Sport Local Branches Leading the Way Sport within their local area and provides an excellent partnership forum for all those with an interest in supporting disabled children, players and athletes.

Scottish Disability Sport has developed excellent working relationships with many of Scotland’s Governing Bodies of sport, so whatever your sporting preference, Scottish Disability Sport can support you to participate in the sport of your choice.

From athletics to wheelchair curling and boccia to swimming, Scottish Disability Sport promotes and engages a wide variety of sport and physical activity opportunities across Scotland.

One of the main roles of the Scottish Disability Sport Branch network is to co-ordinate local and regional teams to represent their area at the Scottish Disability Sport National Programme of Events which involve 17 different events covering Athletics, Boccia, Bowls, Football and Swimming.

Our next events on the calendar are the following: • National Lawn Bowls Championships – West burn Park, Aberdeen: 6 September 2014 • National Senior Athletics Championships – GDAA, Perth: 10 September 2014

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• National 7-a-side Football Championships – Toryglen, Glasgow: 17 September 2014 • National Boccia Open Championships – The Peak, Stirling: 4 October 2014 Another exciting development project is the Scottish Disability Sport Summer Sports Camp. Around 50 young people with physical or sensory impairments come together to experience a range of sports in a residential setting at the Inverclyde National Sports Centre in Largs. All participants access over eight different sports and are supported into long-term participation by a dedicated team of Scottish Disability Sport staff and experienced volunteers.

Following the most successful Commonwealth Games for Para athletes, a full review of the Glasgow Games will be published in the next edition of Momentum Magazine so watch this space. However, anyone who has been inspired by the games as a participant, coach or official can contact Scottish Disability Sport on 0131 3171130.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Scottish Disability Sport if you are looking to participate in a playing, volunteering or officiating capacity using the contact details provided. scottishdisabilitysport.com admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com

Disability Sport Wales I Momentum

Disability Sport Wales

Supporting partners deliver inclusion

I

n issue one of Momentum there was a piece about The Para GP of Wales, and Monmouthshire’s quest to become the ‘cycling capital of Wales’ – a great article which referenced the local authority’s attainment of insport Development ribbon, awarded

by Disability Sport Wales. This editorial looks at what insport is, and the difference it is making in Wales.

of toolkits intended to support the sport and leisure sector in providing genuinely inclusive and meaningful physical activity (including sport).

All Home Nations Disability Sport Organisations have a shared agenda, we are all interested in making sure that we get sport out to disabled people, and that disabled people have the opportunity to coach, be coached, compete, participate, officiate or work in sport – whatever is their choice. The way we go about doing this, and working with partners, is different based on the specific nuances, needs and focus of the country in which the sport exists. In Wales we have had funded and specific Disability Sport Wales Development Officers in each of the 22 Local Authorities across Wales for up to 10 years now. They, in conjunction with Disability Sport Wales, have increased participation opportunities from 1,000 in 2001 to well over 1 million now, and they have ensured that the range of sports available to, and provided within local communities is a wide as it has ever been.

We have enjoyed positive relationships with Sport Wales, and with the Welsh National Governing Bodies they fund; but despite all that, we know that in order to keep pushing forward and to continue to provide great opportunity to disabled Welsh people we need to evolve what we do and how we do it. This is where insport comes in. Inspired by elements of the Sport Connect model in Australia, Disability Sport Wales have put together a series

• insport Club - aimed at ALL clubs (not just those already associated with DSW) throughout Wales

insport is a project which consists of 3 different programmes, each of which are aimed at a different segment of the sport and leisure sector.

• insport NGB - aimed at National Governing Bodies in Wales • insport Development - aimed at Local Authorities facilitated through the Sport Development Unit

It is being supported through a 3 year funded cycle by the St James’ Place Foundation, which enables the delivery of resources, case officers who work directly with the organisation as a critical and supportive friend, and the delivery of workshops (UK Disability Inclusion Training) to support the sport and leisure network workforce. The intention of the project is to support the delivery of inclusive opportunity throughout the sport and leisure network, and work with partners to enable them to establish cultural change around the way they deliver (disability) sport, therefore further widening opportunity and providing real choice. This transition from delivery to support is one which needs to take place in order for sport to genuinely transform lives.

DSW are confident that no individual or organisation deliberately sets out to exclude or alienate people from their part of the sport and leisure sector, but the fact it is it still happens; subtle things identify that disability sport and disabled people can be an after-thought – added in to something at the end, or because they are reminded they should. It is this

culture shift which DSW are hoping to influence through the insport project. We (the sport and leisure community) need to explicitly reference disabled and nondisabled people rather than assume that just referring to ‘people’ is more inclusive and all readers will automatically infer that the reference applies to both disabled and non-disabled people, and work together to ensure a joined up approach in creating high quality physical activity (including sport) for all. Placing disabled people and disability sport explicitly at the centre of what we do and how we do it has always been essential, but more partners are identifying this as a priority in the wake of a successful Paralympic Games, and a greater business focus adopted throughout the sector.

This is the aim of the insport project, working with key stakeholders in sport and leisure, and supporting them in developing an inclusive philosophy, working cultures, policies and practices to ensure delivery and development is consistently and ultimately implicitly inclusive, through a structured but flexible, challenging and supportive, mature working relationship with partners who want to widen their audience, and provide for their communities.

For further information about insport please contact: offceedisabilitysportwales.com Web: disabilitysportwales.com Facebook: DisabilitySportWales Twitter: @dsw_news

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 67

Disability Sport NI I Momentum

Changing lives through sport and physical recreation

I

t has been a busy summer for Disability Sport NI as the charity unveiled a ‘new look’ brand identity at the start of August 2014. The launch of the new brand is the first key delivery element of Disability Sport NI’s new strategic plan covering the period 2014-2019 entitled Changing lives through sport and physical recreation.

This plan will focus on building on the charity’s success to date at increasing local sports and physical recreation provision for people with disabilities with an emphasis on the priorities of: improving health and wellbeing through community sport; developing sporting talent though performance sport; supporting inclusion through education and training and developing inclusive sports facilities.

The new brand has been designed to promote the values of: inclusion; equality; excellence and the social model of disability which have been encapsulated in the charity’s new slogan, get involved, take part.

Inclusive communities coach – older people and people with disabilities Judith Brennan has recently joined the Disability Sport NI staff team as a new inclusive communities coach for older people and people with disabilities in the Belfast City Council area as part of the Active Communities programme. Active Communities is a Sport Northern Ireland lottery funded initiative that aims to increase participation in sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland.

Through Active Communities, Sport Northern Ireland works in partnership with the 26 district councils within Northern Ireland to help over 100,000 people in Northern Ireland to get active and stay active.

Disability Sport NI currently partners with Belfast, Fermanagh and Craigavon councils to develop a range of quality participation opportunities which will give children and adults with disabilities living in these areas the opportunity to lead an active lifestyle through sport. >> Judith Brennan, Disability Sport NI’s new inclusive communities coach for older people and people with disabilities.

Lead your generation: An inclusive future Disability Sport NI have just launched a new project called Lead your generation: An inclusive future. The project will run over the next eighteen months and will be coordinating a new leadership and volunteering initiative for young people, with special emphasis on inclusion. It is being delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and will take place across eight UK host cities. The project outcome will intend to change the lives of young people through the use of sport, specifically through leadership development and volunteer opportunities. In addition, it is hoped that there is a recognised positive change in perception and attitudes towards and of young disabled people. Young people aged fourteen to nineteen, with and without disabilities, will work alongside each other to support and deliver physical activities in local schools, communities and major sporting occasions and events.

Young volunteers will be invited to attend an inspirational training camp in the area, with the most committed young people given the opportunity to attend a UK national camp.

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>> Paralympic Gold medallist swimmer Bethany Firth from County Down helps Disability Sport NI to launch their ‘new look’ brand.

Wheelchair Basketball programme The objective of the regional Wheelchair Basketball programme is to improve the performance structures of wheelchair basketball in Northern Ireland with the aim of improving the way in which talented players are identified, selected and developed, while increasing the number of local players achieving representative honours at an International level. Disability Sport NI is responsible for the preparation, selection and travel of both U15 and U19 regional squads which compete in the British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) league as well as BWB national youth Paralympic competitions. Further information on the regional programme can be found at www.dsni.co.uk

>> Members of the NI Wheelchair Basketball U19 Team

Ottobock I Momentum

Soldier told he would never walk again can now run thanks to custom orthotics from Ottobock

L

ance Corporal Jon Le Galloudec, 33, was left paralysed from the waist down when a shot from an Iraqi sniper struck him in the spine.

Lance Corporal Jon Le Galloudec, 33, was left paralysed from the waist down when a shot from an Iraqi sniper struck him in the spine.

Told he would never walk again, Jon spent months in rehabilitation and regained some movement in his legs before eventually learning to stand.

Jon has since been fitted with a new custom orthotic device, by Ottobock, which helps store energy from his working muscles to propel his lower legs forward when he steps. The carbon fibre leg splints funded by the Help For Heroes charity have enabled him to walk and even run again.

The soldier is now able to stand up, walk tall and keep his balance for the first time in the seven years since his accident.

Jon’s Orthotist, Kevin Green said, “It’s incredible to see how far Jon has come on with our new orthotics. He is walking stronger, his pain has eased and the smile on his face is wonderful to see. The way they work is by storing energy in the carbon fibre frame. This energy is then returned as the user steps, essentially acting like a spring to help support the step. These devices are custom made, they’re designed to fit him perfectly and provide him with the support he needs on a daily basis and we look forward to seeing him go from strength to strength.

Jon was fitted with conventional splints in 2010 however the devices never fit him well and would cut and bruise his legs – meaning he spent a lot of time in his wheelchair. He was funded by Help For Heroes so the charity can analyse his progress in a bid to convince the government to fund other paralysed patients.

L/cpl Galloudec joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Green Jackets in 1999, aged 19. He

was a month into his tour in the Al Aliyah district in 2007 when he was attacked during an arrest and detain mission. The gunfire from a sniper narrowly missed his head before he was shot in the spine by a bullet.

For more information on Ottobock’s range of innovative solutions that restore mobility contact Ottobock Private Clinic Minworth Tel: 0845 2666 514, e-mail clinic@ottobock.com , www.ottobock.co.uk

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 69

British Blind Sport I Momentum

British Blind Sport making a Visible Difference 11% of blind and partially sighted people participate in regular physical activity.

At British Blind Sport, we try and improve this; battling to increase it by a few percentage points every year.

But sometimes people can get lost in the statistics, forgetting about the individuals who benefit.

We often hear stories of success and how sport has changed the lives of visually impaired people across the country. Here are two inspiring stories:

Chloe and Jay enjoy their day at the British Blind Sport Youth Football Tournament Chloe (14) and Jay (7) travelled with their club all the way from Newcastle to Birmingham to play in the British Blind Sport National VI Youth Football Tournament this spring; making firm friends from the start.

Chloe and Jay’s mothers spent almost 4 hours on the bus to reach the football tournament because of the benefits for their children. Stacy Mann says: “Coming here today is something Jay has always wanted to do but he has been too young in previous years. Being a part of something with other children who are partially sighted is really important for Jay and today has enabled that.”

Michelle, Chloe’s mum, says: “Today, Chloe has done what she loves to do, socialise, but more importantly have this brilliant opportunity to participate in sport, which would normally be hard for Chloe. It is a great day out for parents and families to get together and cheer on our children.”

Events like these are vital for children with visual impairments. Many mainstream schools are not equipped or aware of how to include visually impaired children in PE sessions. Our football tournament is a great opportunity to bring children of similar impairments together and enjoy the physical and social benefits of sport.

Sean Briscoe revives his love of football with the Partially Sighted Football League Sean Briscoe is 26 years old and recently completed his first season playing in the British Blind Sport Partially Sighted Football League with the North West Scorpions.

“The British Blind Sport league is a place where everyone is welcome to come and play football. Yes, the league is competitive but it’s played in the right spirit.” – Sean Briscoe At his secondary school, Sean was introduced to a pan-disability football team organised by the Liverpool County FA. He spent many enjoyable years participating and it was a great opportunity for him to

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get active and meet new people. However, when he went to college, his competitive football stopped. Physical activity decreases significantly at key transitional stages, especially moving between schools.

This inactivity continued throughout his college and university life and he has only recently been brought back into sport. After some encouragement from his brother, Sean laced up his trainers and started playing in an adult pan-disability league.

But, he was playing against grown men and the different disabilities affected players in different ways. His eyesight was impacting his play and teammates with other disabilities were unhappy because he struggled to control the ball. Suddenly for Sean, football became a stressful activity; his enjoyment of the game had gone.

However, Sean wasn’t going to give up.

He discovered a team near him that were joining our Partially Sighted Football League. Sean finally had a chance to play football with people who had a similar impairment. He felt he was more accepted within the disability-specific league; it gave him the level-playing field he needed to excel and enjoy the game again.

Get involved in sport Have these stories inspired you to make a difference in your life? If you want to get involved in sport and reap the benefits like Chloe, Jay and Sean then please get in touch; we are happy to help.

You can find your local clubs by contacting us on 01926 424247 or via support@britishblindsport.org.uk

I Momentum

Henshaws College supports students to access sports facilities

H

enshaws College, Harrogate, has invested in new specialist equipment to support students to participate in sports activities with their peers.

Using a gantry hoist, students with complex physical difficulties are assisted to stand and walk to access health and fitness facilities, improving participation and social inclusion.

Physiotherapist Lee Dart explains: “Gaining the ability to walk is a dream for many of our students. The gantry hoist opens the door to a whole group of students who would otherwise have little to no means of safe walking. Students can now access the treadmills, parallel

bars and trampoline in their physiotherapy sessions and it gives us a safe way to help them practice walking across the floor too.”

Chelsea, an essential wheelchair user in her final year at Henshaws College, has enjoyed using the new hoists in her sports sessions over the last few weeks. “Getting me walking again is just my dream. You can’t imagine how it feels to be on my feet. It’s quite emotional for me - the sensation is absolutely amazing.”

College Bogs Lane, Harrogate, HG1 4ED

Learning and Support Personalised learning programmes for young people with learning difficulties, sensory impairments and physical disabilities.

• Curriculum focused on skills for Life, Learning and Work • Nationally recognised excellence in IT and Assistive Technology • Education, Care and Therapies working together to support learners • Expertise in Visual Impairment • First class Residential, Sports and Media facilities • Day and residential placements available

For more information: Call 01423 886451 or email

Find out more about learning programmes for young people with disabilities at Henshaws College.

admissions@henshaws.ac.uk

www.henshaws.ac.uk Registered Charity No: 221888

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www.SeaSafe.co.uk Mariners House, Mariners Way, Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO31 8PB Tel no: +44(0)1983 282388 Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 71

Hands-Free Computing I Momentum

Is your disability limiting your computer use?

Hands Free Computing can help!

H

ands Free Computing is passionate about providing software solutions that make technology more accessible to everybody, regardless of their disability.

The ability to use computers, tablets and Smartphones has become an essential part of everyday life, and we want to ensure that your disability is not a barrier to using these devices.

For the last seventeen years we have been one of the UK’s leading providers of disability software and training. We offer unique and innovative products designed to make working life easier, enabling employees to stay in their job role and reach their full potential at work. Our software and training benefits individuals with a variety of needs, from dyslexia to complex physical disabilities and we work with a wide range of clients from self-employed individuals, to large organisations such as the NHS. We are delighted to support a large and loyal customer base that continues to come back to us as their needs change.

Hands Free Computing are the UK providers of Dragon NaturallySpeaking ProAccess. This fantastic software application will type everything you say, which makes using your computer much easier. Dragon NaturallySpeaking ProAccess can also let you edit your documents, send emails and navigate the internet using just the power of your voice!

Alongside our Dragon software range, we are the leading provider of other assistive software, including Texthelp Read &Write Gold-a Text-to-Speech software, mindmapping software to help organise your work and a range of hardware designed to make working life easier. We provide training on all our software to help users get the most out of their new equipment and our technicians are on hand to provide ongoing help and assistance.

We work with individuals with neurodiversities, such as dyslexia, and support them with workplace strategy coaching.

If you have a disability or long term health condition that is affecting your job, Government scheme Access to Work can provide funding to allow you to access the right support to continue work.

What our customers say about us…

“I cannot emphasise enough the difference Dragon NaturallySpeaking and the training has made to my working life.

I am so impressed with the software and remain amazed by its speed and accuracy!

I have always enjoyed my job, but the pain from RSI was starting to make my working life very difficult. Dragon NaturallySpeaking has allowed me to love my job again!”

“I really got a lot out of my training sessions with Laura. She was hugely helpful and understanding which put me

72 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

at ease. Laura showed me how to make the most out of the software and we were able to record specific macros to help me navigate our databases.”

“Hands-Free have been great. The Customer Service Team were particularly fantastic in answering any initial questions and queries that I had. I’ve made regular use of the Technical Support Team, who have patiently and expertly supported me with any queries about the technology I have.”

For further information on our products and services or Access to Work, please contact a member of our team on 0845 899 0880 enquiries@hands-free.co.uk

I Momentum

Even Break:

Looking for Work?

Finding that elusive dream job

F

inding work in this economic climate is diffcult or annonee, and doubln hard i nou are also disabled.

Mann emploners aren’t enlightened enough to see the talents and skills behind the disabilitn. But there is hope!

Evenbreak is a specialist online job board run by disabled people for disabled people. We only work with disabled candidates, and we only work with enlightened employers who understand the many advantages of employing disabled people. Employers like BBC, Network Rail, John Lewis, E.ON and many, many more.

Our candidates have a range of disabilities – including hearing

Don’t let your disability hold you back, our employers won’t!

impairments, learning disabilities, sight impairments, mental health issues, physical disabilities and many more, and they all have a fantastic range of skills, talents and experience that our employers would value.

The first candidate to gain a job through Evenbreak three years ago said “I thought I would never work again and spend the rest of my life watching daytime TV, but Evenbreak proved me wrong, and I love my new job!”

It costs nothing to register on Evenbreak, upload your CV and search for jobs – have a look and see what you think (we are very accessible)!

We are at: www.evenbreak.co.uk.

Evenbreak is a specialist online job board run by disabled people for disabled people. Only inclusive employers who are actively seeking to attract disabled candidates advertise their roles with us. Register and search for jobs today – you just might find that dream job!

www.evenbreak.co.uk

Making computers accessible to everyone

Hands Free Computing is the leading disability software and training provider.

If your disability is limiting your use of a computer, our specialised software, equipment and qualified trainers will be able to help.

If you are employed or seeking employment you may be eligible for funding and support from Access to Work. For more information contact 0845 899 0880 or visit www.hands-free.co.uk

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 73

UK Deaf Sport I Momentum

Silence is Golden Deaf Sports Strive for Success

T

he Deaflympic is one of the longest standing international sports competitions the first in Paris back in 1924. July 2013 saw the 44th Summer Deaflympic Games where Great Britain, coordinated by UK Deaf Sport sent a team of 49 competitors and 17 staff to represent GB on a world stage. Despite the massive investment in Paralympic sport that will see the Team-GB receive over £70m of funding, a figure that has increased by 45% our Deaflympic campaign received just £135,000 of which none of this could go to our athletes who still have to selffund to the tune of around £3,000 each.

This inequality in government funding policy is having a huge effect on the development of deaf sport, with participation rates currently the lowest of all disability groups at just 10.8% of the population (according to Sport England Active People Data). John Ruddy deaf sprinter points out “It would be helpful if the government were to even contribute the smallest amount, just to show they supported their deaf athletes” and this feeling is echoed across the deaf community.

Despite this difficult financial picture, Team GB still secured their targeted 5 medals in Sofia with success in Cycling with Tom Smith taking bronze and silver. In athletics Lauren Peffers took silver (400m), Melanie Jewitt Bronze (marathon), on the final day GB Women’s Football took Bronze.

Deaf Athletes continue secure medals and records at international level despite the inequitable financial barriers.

European Deaf Swimming Championships in Russia, Team GB finished 5th in the medal table and without doubt one of the standout performances was Danielle Joyce winning 2 Gold’s, 4 Silvers, 3 Bronze breaking the European Championship Record (50m Backstroke) and World Record (200m Backstroke). This added to the 4 World records at the World Deaf Short Course Championships, we truly have a deaf champion and role model.

England Deaf Golf securing first place at the European Deaf Golf Championships and Paul Waring being crowned European Champion. They backed up this success with a great performance at the World Deaf Golf Championships, in the USA finishing 3rd and 4th in the individual event and runner up spot in the team event.

Athletics, Candy Hawkins Bronze (8km) European Cross Country Championships.

Tenpin Bowling WCh, Damien Bates Gold (singles) and Bronze (Doubles), Matthew Forsyth Bronze (Doubles).

Football, Fulham Deaf FC finished 4th Deaf Champions League.

British Deaf Tennis champions Peter Wilcox and Beth Simmons securing their place in Team GB for the Dresse & Maere Cup We have so much to be proud of and we must continue to support their efforts and help raise the funds to help them realise their goals, create positive role models and inspire future generations of deaf people.

UK Deaf Sport has been able to create its Deaf Sports Ambassadors programme, developing and supporting deaf role models. All the ambassadors receive full training and support programme run throughout their tenure as an ambassador.

The Youth Sport Trust and BAC will engage with these deaf ambassadors to support the School Games project.

74 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

I have been in sport long enough to understand the importance of funding in performance sport, our objective will never be realised unless we are given the same recognition as Paralympians. UK Deaf Sport and its board members are doing fantastic work lobbying key government officials and organisations around the inequalities.

Many deaf athletes compete and train in mainstream environments. But until the NGB’s, clubs and officials understand the communication issues around deaf athletes, then this environment will always be one of trepidation for the young deaf talent. Beth Lishman Team GB captain complained that deaf athletes “really don’t get financial support“. Another example is Rob Lowe (shooting) refused access to some clubs because concerns over “compromising” their health and safety regulations due to his impairment. This is where we need to highlight the difficulties and work together to find a solution to one of the biggest barriers for deaf athletes, communication and its costs.

Key Contacts UK Deaf Sport National Participation Officer: participation@UKDS.org.UK UK Deaf Sport National Talent Officer: Talent@UKDS.org.uk www.ukdeafsport.org.uk facebook.com/ukdeafsport @deafsport

I Momentum

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“

Running has changed my life and helped me to overcome depression. To support the great work Sport in Mind do helping people experiencing mental health conditions I’ve decided to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks in their aid!

Sport in Mind I Momentum

Sport in Mind:

The mental health sports charity

S

port in Mind is the independent Berkshire based charity (registration number 1145326) that uses sport to promote mental well-being and help aid the recovery of people experiencing mental health conditions.

The charity’s bespoke knowledge of delivering supported sessions to enable people experiencing mental health conditions to engage in sport has received widespread acclaim and made them the leading UK advisor of mental well-being sports provision.

With just 13% of people accessing mental health services engaging in sport on a weekly basis, Sport in Mind’s mission is to get more people experiencing mental health conditions playing sport on a regular basis by breaking down the barriers to participation and enhancing the number of sporting opportunities available.

Benefits of sport on mental health?

For many years it has been common knowledge that participation in sport and physical activity is hugely beneficial to our physical health, however, this is equally true for our mental health. Sport in Mind’s research into sport and mental health has shown that mental health service users that participate in sporting activities on a regular basis have improved mental well-being, reduced levels of anxiety and depression, and enhanced self-esteem.

Vicky Horne

Sport really does have the power to change lives, and should play an integral role in the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions.

Vicky is running 52 marathons in 52 weeks in aid of Sport in Mind Vicky Horne is one person who can testify that sport and physical activity can promote mental well-being and help aid recovery from mental health conditions.

In 2000 Vicky was involved in a car crash with a drunk driver, which left her with serious injuries and a bent spine. With a degree in Sports & Exercise Science and future dreams of working in the sports sector placed in jeopardy, Vicky experienced depression.

Despite the injury to her spine, when Vicky visited her GP she was told that running and physical activity was the best form of anti-depressant going. Although Vicky isn’t a natural runner she pushed herself to take up running to help aid her recovery.

Her doctor’s recommendation soon began to pay dividends and Vicky’s symptoms of depression began to reduce.

Today Vicky is doing fantastic, she has two amazing children, a loving fiancé and a brilliant job… and what does she attribute her recovery to? Running! Plain and simple!

“Running has changed my life, it’s helped me overcome depression and meet some of the most amazing people. I’ve heard some truly inspirational stories just by taking the time to run next to someone for a little while and ask how they’re doing. I’ve helped people that have been struggling

76 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

”

and seeing their faces when they cross the finish line, and knowing that you have helped them achieve their goals is fantastic!”

When Vicky was suffering from depression she felt embarrassed to ask for help and was ashamed to tell anyone what she was going through, but now that she has recovered she wants to help anyone who has had to confront mental health conditions and give something back to the wonderful people that supported her when she was most in need.

“Sport was instrumental in my recovery from depression so I have decided to take on the challenge of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks in aid of Sport in Mind in order to raise awareness of mental illness and fundraise to provide people experiencing mental health conditions the opportunity to engage in supported sport and physical activity sessions that help aid recovery”.

To learn more and support Vicky’s challenge please visit: www.justgiving.com/Vicky-Horne52/

For more information contact:

sportinmind.org

facebook.com/sportinmind twitter.com/sportinmind1

Accessible Holidays I Momentum

TfA is a national registered charity, and its information service is backed by a website, www.tourismforall.org.uk, and supported by a helpline, 0845 124 9971. The aim is to provide lively, inspirational and comprehensive information that encourages people to try new things, see new places, and live life to the full!

As well as accommodation, travel, and attractions, TfA provides information about activity holidays for disabled people; equipment hire; places where care is available; escorts & carer services; and sources of finance towards the cost of a holiday for people on low income.

They also have a website called Open Britain, your one-stop-shop for accessible tourism within the UK. It can help you plan your perfect accessible holiday, whether you are looking for a B and B with wheelchair access, a restaurant with good lighting or an amusement park with accessible parking. The website allows you to search a number of properties within the UK to find a holiday destination that completely meets your needs whatever they may be.

How can you help?

They do need financial support to keep the service running – so please consider becoming a member of TfA for a small subscription, making a donation, or undertaking some fundraising – by shopping through their site, or supporting them through everyclick.

com or maybe through sponsored activities perhaps?

But it’s not just about money.

TfA would like to hear from you if you have come across anything that could be described as ‘wheelchair accessible’ elsewhere in the world. Much as they would like to, they do not have the resources that permit constant travelling around the globe, so all information that is fed back to them will be put to good use to provide disabled people with the tools to enable them to make an informed decision about whether a place or destination might be suitable to visit.

A web address or contact details or images would be very helpful if these are available, so that the links can be added to their growing database of information.

© Calvert Trust Exmoor

T

ourism for All UK (TfA) provides information to disabled or older people on accessible accommodation and other tourism services in the UK and at selected overseas destinations. Every year they respond to thousands of people who may need help and support to enable them to take a break they may not have previously believed possible. Additionally, over 300,000 people have visited their website in the past 12 months.

What should I look for?

Well it could be as simple as finding accommodation with a wheel-in shower. Many of their enquirers are looking for this specifically.

If there is an overhead tracking hoist, a Clos-o-mat douche WC or other access provision please do get in touch, they would love to hear from you.

Accessible transport and attractions are also important for those travelling abroad, so all information would be gratefully received.

Tourism for All UK 7A Pixel Mill 44 Appleby Road Kendal Cumbria, LA9 6ES info@tourismforall.org.uk Tel: 0845 124 9971 Web: www.tourismforall.org.uk Twitter: @tourismforalluk Facebook: TFAUK

● 8 accessible lakeside lodges in beautiful Devon countryside within minutes of the coast ● 5 Caravan Club certificated location pitches with electric hook up, showers & toilets ●1.5 acre coarse fishing lake stocked with carp, rudd, roach, orfe, perch, & tench ● Heated indoor swimming pool (April-September) ● Licensed bar ● Games room with pool table, table-tennis, x-box, books & games ● Woodland walk & orchard playing field ●Dogs welcome

www.blagdonfarm.co.uk 01409 211140 info@blagdonfarm.co.uk

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 77

Hannahs I Accessible Holidays

Dame Hannah Rogers Trust

T

he Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, or Hannahs as we are known, has been supporting children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities for more than 230 years.

We were founded in 1767 through the generous £10,000 legacy of Dame Hannah Rogers, the wife of a Plymouth MP who had passion for working with children. Although our proud history has always been varied, the aim has been simple: to help enrich and empower the lives of children and adults in need.

Hannahs at Ivybridge is an Ofsted accredited Centre of Excellence and home to our School, Respite Centre, Community Hub, Children’s Home and Hannahwood – an innovative transition project for older students.

Hannahs as Seale-Hayne is set within 90 acres of Devon countryside and is a place of true integration and imagination supporting adults with disabilities through employment, training and experiences such as art, music, animal care, radio producing and horticulture. It also runs as a social enterprise and is open to the public 7 days a week with a Bistro, shops, Health and Wellbeing Centre including hydrotherapy pool, outdoor pursuits centre, artist studios and galleries.

Funds raised through the activities at Seale-Hayne including accommodation all go back into the charity.

Hannahs has recently introduced a range of accessible accommodation at Seale-Hayne, including: Accessible glamping cabins – recently voted no 3 by a national website in a top 10 glamping poll. The cabins sleep are set within woodland and boast a large open plan lounge, wet rooms and a wonderful wood burning range. Private balconies overlook the stunning scenery and come with their own barbeques.

Short break accessible family apartment – the apartment is located in a wonderfully quiet and beautiful area of the site and adjacent to the hydrotherapy pool and horticulture area. With three bedrooms and a sofa bed in the spacious lounge the apartment can sleep 5 people. The accommodation also features a shower and bath, as well as a diner and kitchen area and is fully wheelchair accessible.

Respite accommodation – this short break accommodation has 6 respite beds and an additional 4 rooms for carers or family members. There is also a social lounge and kitchen area.

Guests of Hannahs at Seale-Hayne are welcome to take a stroll through our stunning grounds and take full advantage of our other facilities. Why not book a dip or treatment in the Health and Wellbeing Centre, visit the galleries and shops, enjoy archery as a family or a bite to eat in The Bistro.

Coming soon...Clare’s House Clare’s House is managed by a small team of people under the umbrella of The Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, made possible thanks to the generosity of the Clare Milne Trust.

Clare’s house is a fully accessible 4 bedroom home just a few minutes from the sea at Ladram Bay, Devon. It is situated within extensive gardens which also house the resident alpacas, and has its own private, undercover hydrotherapy pool.

Hannahs at Seale-Hayne, Howton Lane, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6NQ T: 01626 325800 E: enquiries@discoverhannahs.org W: www.discoversealehayne.org

78 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Accessible Holidays I Momentum

New Horizons:

Supported Holidays

N

ew Horizons is a Social Enterprise that is dedicated to offering a person centred approach to Social Care and Supported Holidays.

New Horizons provides a range of supported holiday packages.

These include pre-packaged group holidays or tailor-made packages to suit a group, family or individual’s requirements. We also provide support to families who wish to have a holiday as a whole family but would like support in doing so. We provide support to individuals with various disabilities and conditions ranging from mild to moderate support requirements to individuals with more complex needs.

For further information go to our website

www.newhorizonssupportservices.co.uk or contact us at: Tel: 01534 888826, Email; info@newhorizonssupportservices.co.uk

Jersey is the most southerly island of the British Isles and is located just 14 miles from France, it is English speaking and has good transport links between the U.K. and France.

The island has a number of

“

Never in a million years could we imagine the boys would be able to get up a 10m wall!

They loved being in the hoist and being so high up - it’s wonderful you have the equipment and resource to achieve this for disabled children - he was able to do the same as his big brother - it means a lot!

F

We provide assistance to individuals, families or groups through a range of supported holiday packages enabling the individuals and carers to have a break. We are based on the Island of Jersey and can facilitate supported holidays to the Island and other destinations worldwide.

”

ollowing the success of our disability weekends for Hampshire County Council families, we are now running some inclusion weekends open to families with a disabled child from all across the country.

At Avon Tyrrell we offer an extensive range of accessible activities so that you can experience outdoor adventure as a family, giving everyone the same opportunities.

Meet new friends and families in a relaxed setting and with 65 acres to explore, you will be guaranteed to have a great time with us.

“I felt utterly compelled to drown you in praise for ALL the staff we encountered while we stayed with you. All of the helpfulness and willingness to help and be patient and welcoming makes SUCH a difference.”

To find out more about how we can meet your needs, or to arrange a site visit, please contact us. Our trained and dedicated staff understand the challenges of coming away and will give you the time and support that you need every step of the way.

attractions including the world renowned Durrell Wildlife Park, along with annual events which include The Jersey Live Music Festival, The Battle of Flowers and The Jersey International Air Display.

There is a variety of accommodation options available to meet everyone’s needs on the island, from Yurts in the Durrell Wildlife Park to Maison des Landes which is equipped with hoists, wet rooms and a heated indoor swimming pool which is accessible via a hoist or ramp.

For further information, please go to our website www. newhorizonssupportservices. co.uk or contact us at info@ newhorizonssupportsertvices. co.uk or Tel 01534 888826.

Accessible Adventure

Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre is an inclusive and accessible site for groups and individuals. With action and adventure breaks, we have opportunities and activities for everyone to enjoy in a safe environment.

Inclusion Weekend Fri 3rd-5th Oct 2014

Spend 2 Nights in our Grade I listed house and enjoy a weekend of Adventure Activities and great Catering as a family.

£165pp

Special Offer Book by 12th September and get Buy One Get One Free

Lodges and Camping . Bike Hire and Accessible Trails . Friendly Staff Fishing Lakes . Specialist Equipment . Advice and Support

Bookings and Enquiries

Follow us...

Avon Tyrrell, UK Youth Outdoor Activity Centre Bransgore, Hampshire, BH23 8EE 01425 672347 info@ukyouth.org www.avontyrrell.org.uk

UK Youth is a registered charity no. 1110590 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 5402004

Follow Us: @Momentum_Mag I Momentum I 79

Sage Gateshead I Momentum

A venue that builds accessibility into everything it does

S

age Gateshead, situated on the South bank of the Tyne near the Millenium Bridge, is a centre for music and music learning with award-winning access and a great offer of musical opportunities for those with additional needs. If you haven’t visited, or have only visited to watch one of the many world-class artists regularly playing there, then you may be surprised by what else is going on!

Sage Gateshead supports access to music opportunities for individuals with additional needs through their Accessible Learning Strand (sagegateshead.com/

join-in/accessible-learning/). Experienced tutors and talented musicians support participants in a relaxed, fun and friendly environment – and there are a multitude of opportunities to get involved, whatever the level of music experience.

Get involved in music

As well as a huge programme of music classes and activities taking place across the North East and beyond, there are some great music making opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Sounds Good To Me, an open access singing group who meet each Wednesday in termtime. Upbeat! is an inclusive, family friendly beginners percussion group who have recently been creating music on the Javanese Gamelan – an ornate and beautiful room-sized instrument made up of gongs and metallophones.

Other programmes include Community Music Spark – a community music training programme for adults with learning disabilities. Participants learn facilitation and workshop leading skills, and work toward accreditation including Arts Award.

There are performance opportunities including on the Concourse at Sage Gateshead and also at the Music Spark Show, a yearly celebration of the creative work of groups from across the region.

Compered by the Community Music Spark team, it’s a remarkable night of music, performance and films!

To read about the other great activities you could take part in, including work placement opportunities, visit sagegateshead.com/join-in/ or call 0191 443 5165.

Custom built for Access

Sage Gateshead was designed and built to be accessible to all and has sought to go beyond compliance to become a model of good practice - most recently winning the North East England Tourism Access For All Gold award in 2012 and 2013. For full access details visit sagegateshead.com/ access For details of all that goes on at Sage Gateshead, visit the website sagegateshead.com

Sage Gateshead offers a wealth of music and musical learning opportunities for individuals who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Open access music making with performance opportunities

Training and CPD for music practitioners and work placement opportunities

Music Therapy

Winner - North East England Tourism Access For All Gold 2013 Visit sagegateshead.com/join-in or call 0191 443 5165 for full details For access information visit sagegateshead.com/access 80 I Momentum I www.momentummagazine.co.uk

Directory I Momentum >> Archery

Discover Archery

The most fun you’ll ever have with a bow and arrow!

D

iscover Archery Ltd is a well established company catering to various County Councils, prestigious independent schools, businesses, youth groups, church groups and holiday camp providers in the South East, London and further afield.

Based in Guildford, Surrey, we provide a mobile service which offers high quality instruction for a wide variety of experiences.

Discover SAFE Archery This innovative inflatable hoverball target set opens up opportunities for anybody to try archery virtually anywhere using the special non-lethal foam tipped arrows.

We are also able to retail the SAFE Archery set.

Discover Archery Tag Archery Tag® is a phenomenal new concept in friendly combat sports that can be played indoors or out and utilizes archery with special foam tipped arrows to play the game. Archery Tag is intense enough for thrill seekers and safe enough for kids to play; making this game the most fun you’ll ever have with a bow and arrow!

We are available for Birthday & Stag/Hen Parties, Team Building & Corporate Events, Schools, Sports Days & Holiday Camps, Church & Youth Groups, Fund Raisers, Fêtes & Festivals. Or, for any event you could possibly think of.

Find out more at: www.discoverarchery.co.uk

>> Bespoke Sportswear

Discover Archery Ltd This innovative inflatable hoverball target set opens up opportunities for anybody to try archery virtually anywhere using the special non-lethal foam tipped arrows.

For more information Contact Joshua Edwards-Lloyd: Tel: 0800 002 5054 / 07967 763985 Email: info@discoverarchery.co.uk Web: www.discoverarchery.co.uk

>> Charities

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>> RNC Sports Academy

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SPORTSCREATIVE.CO.UK

Residential Sports Opportunities in Hereford

Launched in Summer 2012, Support through Sport UK is a charity that believes in the power of sport and is committed to smashing down the barriers that prohibit sport for all. Our website features information on disabled people’s sports clubs and a range of inspiring interviews and event reviews

Website: www.supportthroughsport.co.uk Twitter: @STSportUK Facebook: facebook.com/Support-through-Sport-UK Contact us: www.supportthroughsport.co.uk/contact

>> Building Systems

Building Systems

Let our friendly, experienced staff take the stress out of organising your event and make it the success you want it to be. Call us to find out more 01432 376 635 or email gardner@rnc.ac.uk

www.rnc.ac.uk Twitter: @RNC_official

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>> Travel Insurance

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We’re always on the lookout to feature new companies and products, is this you?

Then get in touch

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Genium X3

Explore new horizons.

The Genium™ X3 is the world’s most technologically advanced microprocessor prosthetic knee, offering above-knee amputees the most natural gait possible.

Following extensive research and development, the new prosthetic knee joint is waterproof, offers new modes never before available and is virtually impenetrable by dust or dirt.

© Ottobock · UK/ADV/OI/0566

Walk, run, swim.

Ottobock. With you every step of the way.

Ottobock · 0845 600 7664 · www.ottobock.co.uk