News and Media
Read all the latest news and announcements from The UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability. Don't forget to regularly check the live newsfeed on our home page too. It provides daily information from a range of newspapers, articles and reports from around the country so you can keep up to date every day!
UPDATE: LONDON ANNIVERSARY GAMES
5 April 2013
British Athletics announced that tickets for the London 2012 one year anniversary games will go on sale to pre-registered fans on April 19. Box Offices will open at 10am local time.
Tickets for the games will be priced anywhere from £12-50. The Games will take place on 26-28 of July, with Paralympic events happening on Sunday 28 July. We can confirm that it is likely that the T20 (learning disability) 1500m event will be included – so get yourself there and support the athletes!
Hurry and pre-register now! Registration closes at midnight on Wednesday 17 April. Visit www.loveathletics.uka.org.uk to register.
BIRMINGHAM TO HOST IPC ATHLETICS GRAND PRIX FINAL
8 April 2013
The final event of the Athletics Grand Prix is to take place in Birmingham on Saturday 29 June. This event takes place just three weeks before the 2013 IPC World Athletics Championships in Lyon France. It will be athlete’s last chance to compete at this level before the World Championships in July.
The event will host over 144 men and women athletes competing in 18 different events. The Birmingham IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final will be the seventh and final event of the IPC Athletics Grand Prix. The series was launched this year to give athletes greater opportunities to compete against the world’s best whilst also developing a framework of excellence in competition management.
Ed Warner, Chairman of the IPC Athletics Sport Technical Committee said “We created this Grand Prix to give athletes a chance to compete on the highest level and we are confident that many of our best athletes will come to Birmingham to test their form ahead of the World Championships in Lyon in July.”
Athletes with learning disability (T20) will be competing at the event.
DO YOU KNOW A TALENTED SWIMMER WITH DISABILITY?
28 March 2013
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British Swimming is always on the lookout for new and talented swimmers. Do you know someone with a physical, sensory, or intellectual impairment that is a talented swimmer? Bring them along to the numerous talent identification days and help to lead them on the pathway to the Paralympics!
Additionally, if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with disability swimming, there are a range of positions available. These positions include coaches/ teachers, event volunteers, and many more!
Talent ID days are taking place in multiple locations throughout the UK on the 11 and 12 May. For locations as well as more information about volunteering, click here to visit the British Swimming website.
GET TO KNOW THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE GB SWIM STAFF
26 March 2013
British Swimming has appointed a new National Performance Director to lead its Paralympic swimming programme. Chris Furber, the current British Paralympic Cycling coach, looks to build off the success of the London 2012 Paralympics as he moves forward to Rio 2016.
Furber has been with Paralympic Cycling for 13 years. He led the team to the top of the podium at both the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and the London 2012 Paralympics. Regarding his big move, Furber says, “This is an incredibly exciting move for me. I love disability sport and the opportunity to lead the sport of swimming which has 148 opportunities to win Paralympic gold is an incredible one that I could not ignore.”
Furber’s first day will begin on 13 May. UKSA wishes him luck, and looks forward to even more success from the Great Britain Paralympic Swimming Team!
SWANSEA NEXT CITY TO HOST IPC ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP
21 March 2013
The International Paralympics Committee announced last Thursday that Swansea, Wales will be the first city in Great Britain to host the IPC European Athletics Championships in 2014.
The event is set to be staged at Swansea University, with around 600 hundred athletes from 40 countries competing. Professor Richard B Davies, Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University, said "Wales is a proud sporting nation and nowhere is that pride more evident than when it comes to Paralympic and disability sport. We look forward to delivering both a successful athlete centred Championship as well as a legacy that the whole of Wales and Europe can share and be proud of."
The event will be the first major international multi-day para-athletics event to be held in Great Britain following the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The games will take place from the 18 to the 23 August 2014.
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GET YOUR DISABILITY SWIMMING TICKETS NOW!
20 March 2013
Tickets to the British International Disability Swimming Championships are now on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster.
This is the first major event in the new 4-year Paralympic cycle. The event is expected to attract more than 40 nations to Ponds Forge in Sheffield. BIDSC is the only trials event for the British Gas Great Britain Disability Swimming team before the IPC World Championships this summer in Montreal.
The event will take place from 25-28 of April. Don’t miss your chance to see some of our incredible Paralympians in action, such as Jessica Jane Applegate, Aaron Moores, and Ben Procter!
Click here to buy your tickets today.
PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR ANNIVERSARY GAMES
19 March 2013
Planning for the London 2012 1-year anniversary games is in full force, according to a tweet by British Athletics.
British Athletics announced last month that they will be commemorating the London 2012 Olympics, as well as the Paralympics, by hosting a 3-day event this summer from 26th to 28th July 2013 at the Olympic Stadium. Sunday the 28th will be solely dedicated to show casing the Paralympic champions of 2012.
Be the first to know important ticketing information for the London Anniversary Games by registering for priority ticketing info here.
SWIMMERS SEE GREAT SUCCESS AT BRITISH GAS INTERNATIONAL
10 March 2013
The British Gas International Meet 2013 took place just last weekend from 7th – 10th March. S14 swimmers, saw much success over those four days, bringing home multiple medals and setting personal bests.
Jessica Jane Applegate brought home four gold medals and improved her British Record for the MC 50m freestyle to 28.04. Chloe Davies finished behind her and swam her own personal best at 29.77.
Dan Pepper won three gold medals, as he finished first in the MC 200m Individual Medley on day three of the competition. Natalie Massey won the women’s MC 200m Individual Medley with a time of 2:38.84, and Chloe Davies followed close behind, finishing with silver.
Overall, swimmers displayed impressive performances and we hope they achieve the same success at next months British International Disability Championships in Sheffield.
JESSICA JANE SMASHES FOUR BRITISH RECORDS
3 March 2013
Over 180 swimmers took part in the Nationwide Junior and Youth Swimming Championships from 2nd to 3rd March. Among them was Paralympic Champion (S14) Jessica-Jane Applegate.
Winning gold in the S14 100m freestyle meant Applegate became one of the first British disabled women in her class to clock under a minute in the event. Other British records for Jessica-Jane were S14 200m Freestyle (2:10.30), 100m Butterfly (1:10.22) and 50m Freestyle (27.80).
The Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey MP, presented the Nationwide Junior Sports Awards to winning performers in each age group and the regional team trophy. Applegate won in the youth age group.
STEPHANIE MOORE AWARDED AT NORTHEAST DISABILITY AWARDS
28th February 2013
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| Stephanie Moore pictured, top right |
Congratulations to 18 year old Stephanie Moore (T/F20) who was just named “Young Female Achiever of the Year” at the National Disability Awards. The awards are organised by the regional County Sports Partnerships, supported by the English Federation of Disability Sport.
Stephanie is from Blaydon and runs with the Chester-le-Street and District Athletics Club. She stated, “Getting this award is the highlight of my year.”
Stephanie Moore is an aspiring young athlete and is currently setting her sights on selection to the UKSA Team to the 2013 INAS World Athletics Championships in Prague in June. Stephanie is supported by local firm Dean Taxis as she pursues her athletics career. More information on the awards and Stephanie Moore to come! Keep checking the UKSA website for the full story.
BRITISH PARALYMPIC ASSOCIATION ELECT NEW BOARD
27th February 2013
The National Paralympic Committee of Great Britain, held their elections today. Tim Reddish OBE was chosen to serve as Chair of the BPA for another four years.
Re-elected Board members include Richard Callicott (President of England Volleyball, Chair of British Volleyball and Vice President of British Wheelchair Basketball), Paul Masters (Treasurer of Disability Snowsport UK), and Annamarie Phelps (Chair of British Rowing).
New to the board are David Hadfield (Chair of GB Boccia and Chair of Boccia International Sports Federation) and Geoff Newton (Executive Director of the Tennis Foundation).
After elections, Reddish said, ‘I am delighted to be reappointed as Chair of the BPA for a further four year term. The London Games have put Paralympic sport on a new platform and we are all determined to make the most of this to further develop the organisation and the movement in the UK.’
IMPROVE YOUR COACHING SKILLS
22nd February 2013
PROACTIVE North London and Middlesex University are working together to put on their second North London Coaching Conference. Last year the conference was held at Trent Park and turned out to be a great success with over 200 attendees.
This year’s conference will offer more than 15 courses and workshops for people to choose from and be held at St. Thomas More School in Haringey. Workshops run from Friday 22 March until Sunday 24 March.
Register online at http://www.coachinglondon.org to get 50% off attendance cost.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - SPORT & RECREATION ALLIANCE AWARDS
22nd February 2013
Do you know someone in disability sport that should be nominated for these awards? Then get nominating as the closing date is 8th March 2013.
UKSA is keen to see more people, clubs, coaches and projects involving sport for people with learning disability nominated!
The awards have been running for 20 years and aim to recognise recreational organisations and bodies that perform excellent work in their local communities.
Categories include:
- Community Sport + Recreation Overall Winner – £2,000
- Volunteer Management – £1,000
- School Links – £1,000
- Professional Club Community Programme of the Year Award – £1,000
- Green Thinking – £1,000
- Innovative Project Award – £1,000
For more information, visit the SRA website.
If your nomination involves people or organisations that are linked to sport for people with learning disability and you wish to seek UKSA support for you nominations, please contact us to see if we can help.
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE A GO AT PARALYMPIC SPORT AND MEET SOME PARALYMPIC STARS?
22nd February 2013
The British Paralympic Association announced that it will hold its second Sports Fest in Sheffield this year.
Sports Fest is free. It is a multi-sport event for disabled people. It will be held at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27, 2013.
You can try out some sports and have a chance to meet some of the stars of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
If you are a person with learning disability and would like to attend, make sure you contact the British Paralympic Association to register. You can do that by clicking here.
The ParalympicsGB Sports Fest will go to different regions in the UK in 2013 and 2014.
PARALYMPIC SWIMMER HAS BUILDING NAMED IN HER HONOUR
22nd February 2013
16-year-old S14 Paralympic Swimmer, Jessica-Jane Applegate, has had a building named in her honour. The building will support organisations providing services for people with learning disability.
The building is called “Applegate House” and is located in Barton-upon-Humber near Grimsby.
Applegate, from Norfolk, competed in the 2012 London Paralympics as an S14 (learning disability) swimmer and won gold in the 200m freestyle.
LONDON 2012 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
21st February 2013
British Athletics announced last week that the Stadium will host a three day event in honour of the one year anniversary of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event will take place from the 26th to 28th July 2013.
Sunday 28th is dedicated to showcasing the Paralympic Champions of 2012. Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Chief Executive Officer said, "We're delighted that athletes will once again get to compete in the Olympic Stadium, and that spectators will be able to see some of the world's best para-athletes in action in a venue that holds so many amazing memories following London 2012.”
Although events have not yet been finalised, the UK Sports Association hopes that events for athletes with learning disability (T/F20) are included. Further information on the Anniversary Games can be obtained from British Athletics.
CHANNEL 4 SECURES 2014 AND 2016 PARALYMPIC GAMES RIGHTS
13th February 2013
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has awarded the UK television rights for the Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games to Channel 4. They are expected to broadcast over 45 hours from the Sochi 2014 Paralympics, and 200 hours from the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
In the lead up to Rio 2016 various Paralympic events will also be aired, such as the July IPC Athletics World Championships from Lyon, France and August's IPC Swimming World Championships, which will take place in Montreal, Canada.
Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, says, "With London 2012 Channel 4 created a blueprint for how a commercial broadcaster can raise the profile of Paralympic sport and its athletes to new levels. They reached record audiences, in particular young people, identified and developed some fantastic new presenting talent and played a significant role in delivering seismic shifts in attitudes and perceptions towards people with an impairment in the UK.”
To read more visit the IPC's website here!
MENCAP 2013 OPEN NATIONAL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
12th February 2013
Athletes with learning disability are invited to enter this years Mencap Open National Athletics Championships. The competition features athletes of age 13 or older who have a learning disability.
Also at the event, there will be another competition called the Festival of Athletics. This competition is for people with more severe learning disabilities. Family and friends are invited to come cheer on their competitors in both competitions.
The event will take place on 29th June at the Woodside Athletics Stadium in Garston, Watford. Entry forms need to reach Mencap Sport by 5pm on 7th June, with your £10 entry fee.
Any queries on the Championships should go to Mencap Sport. Download entry forms here.
DOHA, QATAR TO STAGE 2015 IPC ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
12th February 2013
The IPC has announced that the 2015 Athletics World Championships will be held in Doha, Qatar. This is the last major sporting event leading up to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Ed Warner, IPC Athletics Sport Technical Committee Chairperson says "Doha will offer excellent sporting facilities for all of them and the people of Qatar will have the chance to experience the world's best Paralympic athletes perform at their highest level.”
Expected at the event are 1,300 of the worlds top athletes form 90 different countries. The event will take place in March of 2015.
For details of selection to the British Team, contact British Athletics or visit their website.
RESEARCH AT THE INAS WORLD SKIING CHAMPIONSHIPS
11th February 2013
INAS will be holding the 7th Annual World Skiing Championships this year in Erzurum, Turkey.
Classification research will be conducted at this year’s event. The research will be done by the same INAS-IPC group who developed the classification system for athletes with an intellectual disability for the 2012 Paralympic games.
Although the research program is just in the early stages, there are high hopes that people with intellectual disability will be able to compete in the 2018 Winter Paralympics.
The events will take place from 3rd of March through the 9th.
HANDBALL FOR PLAYERS WITH LEARNING DISABILITY
11th February 2013
The Portuguese National Sports Association for Para-Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (ANDDI), the Portuguese Handball Federation, and the Portuguese Paralympic Committee are working together to promote the handball within the learning disability community.
Two years ago, the groups started a branch known as HANDBALL 4 ALL that allowed people with learning disability to learn and play handball. Now, these groups are asking INAS and the International Handball Federation to introduce the game as an official sport for athletes with learning disability.
Are you or someone you know interested in playing handball? Is it a popular sport within your community? If so, get in contact with the UK Sports Association to let us know. Email info@uksportsassociation.org or telephone 0207 490 3057.
NEW LONDON TENNIS EVENT FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY
7th February 2013
The London Youth Games and the Tennis Foundation are joining forces to offer young people with learning disability the opportunity to learn and play tennis.
Following a pilot demonstration and the highly successful London 2012 Paralympic Games last year, the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games will host learning disability tennis as an official competition in 2013.
Anthony Kendall, Chairman, London Youth Games says, "We have long been known as a mini Olympics among young Londoners, but it is now time we were also known as being a mini Paralympics too.”
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive, UK Sports Association says, “I am delighted to see such great developments in Tennis and this collaboration with London Young Games and The Tennis Foundation. It really is so important that more young people with learning disability play the sport, enjoy it and for us here at the elite end to see the tennis stars of the future emerge, Congratulations to both organisations in making this happen”.
The event will take place on 12 March at the Westway Sports Centre. Children from 7-9 years old with mild to severe disability from 16 different London Boroughs are able to compete. Free coaching will also be available.
To read more about the London Tennis opportunities and get involved in tennis camps for people with learning disability contact the Tennis Foundation.
Tennis is a target sport for the UK Sports Association as we work with the Tennis Foundation to support elite athletes with learning disability to compete at the INAS World Tennis Championships, scheduled for 23-29th June 2013 in the Czech Republic.
UPCOMING CONFERENCE FOR DISABILITY SPORT
6th February 2013
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is working with the Sports Marketing Network to host a one-day conference for disabled people in sport. “The Disability Sport or Sport for Disabled People” conference will focus on promoting disabled people’s participation in sport.
EFDS found that most disabled people want to participate in sport and recreation, but just may not have the means provided for them to do so.
Share your own stories about disability sport and learn from others on how to provide sporting opportunities for everyone involved. The conference will be held on 16 May 2013 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
For more information or to register for the conference, visit the EFDS website here.
NATIONWIDE JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013
6th February 2013
In just a few short weeks, over 30 junior S14 swimmers with learning disability are expected to compete in the 2013 Nationwide Junior Swimming Championships. The event will be held at the International Swimming Centre, Ponds Forge in Sheffield on the 2nd and 3rd of March.
Swimming at the event will be one of our most successful Paralympians, Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE, who made her Paralympic debut at the London 2012 Games. Applegate won gold in the S14 200m freestyle and placed 4th in the S14 100m backstroke.
Also making an appearance at the Junior Swimming Championships will be Lucy Chenery. The seventeen year old from Aylesbury made her international debut for Great Britain as part of the UKSA Team competing at the INAS Global Games in Italy back in 2011.
The Championships will welcome over 200 junior disabled swimmers from across the country to compete in the 25m short course pool in Sheffield and is an exciting event in the swimming calendar.
TAKE A TOUR OF THE OLYMPIC PARK!
31st January 2012
Visit the site of the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics as it is being transformed into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park! From now through to 12 February, tickets can be booked online.
The tour takes you through the park and also gets you a trip up the UK’s tallest sculpture, the ArcelorMittal Orbit. Many of London’s great buildings can be seen from the top of the Orbit. You can see St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard for example.
You will be given safety gear to wear as you get a behind the scenes look at the park before its opens to the general public.
If you would like a trip to the Olympic and Paralympic Park then don't delay and book your tickets by clicking here!
ENCOURAGE WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN SPORT
31st January 2013
This summer’s Fit 4 Women conference welcome’s Britain’s own Steph Houghton at their Reading event on 26 February. The British footballer played a huge role in the London 2012 Summer Olympics, scoring three goals and leading Britain to victory over Brazil.
Fit 4 Women aim to encourage and support women’s participation in sport on all levels of play. By attending this conference, you will be raising awareness for women in sport not only on the professional level, but also right in your own community!
This year the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is a conference partner recognising the importance of getting disabled women, young and old active and involved.
Don’t miss out, make sure you get your conference place booked soon.
COUNTDOWN TO SOCHI 2014
31st January 2013
Today marks just 400 days to go until the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games.
ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, Penny Briscoe says, "It is still in the early stages but in terms of looking at Sochi, these next few months will be crucial for us".
ParalympicsGB will have the opportunity to compete in three of the four sports offered at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics, alpine skiing, ice sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling.
Although there are no events for athletes with intellectual disability in the 2014 Games, INAS, the international federation for athletes with intellectual disability has included winter sports in their new strategy in the hope that as the programme develops, there may be a possibility of events for athletes with intellectual disability being included in a Winter Paralympic Games in the future.
To find out more about the Winter Games, go to www.sochi2014.com or contact the British Paralympic Association.
WATCH THE FILM - LONDON 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES!
3rd December 2012
Its finally here! The long awaited film showing moments from the London 2012 Paralympic Games - the best Games ever!
The film has been released by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
It has some great scenes - definitely worth a look - some great emotions and memories!
Watch it on the IPC website here.
2012 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award
1st December 2012
Congratulations to 2012 Paralympic gold medallist, Jessica-Jane Applegate, (S14 swimmer) on making the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year short list for 2012!
Decisions on who will win this hotly contested award will be made soon. Read more about the awards on the BBC website here.
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ATTRACT AND SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY TO USE YOUR GYM
1st November 2012
EFDS and Mencap Sport, have produced a guide to support staff at IFI marked gyms to communicate and market their facility more effectively to customers with a learning disability.
The guide provides general advice on communicating with someone who has a learning disability and how to market a gym facility to people with learning disability.
Download a copy of the guide here.
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SURREY SPORTS FEST SEEKS PARALYMPIC TALENT
30th October 2012
A major two day festival will set out to track down new Paralympic talent at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. The event will be the first ever ParalympicsGB Sports Fest and will be held on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th December 2012.
The festival will provide an opportunity for disabled people to try out different disability sports and explore how they can get involved. There will also be the opportunity to meet the stars of the ParalympicGB 2012 team including Jonnie Peacock.
Jonnie said ‘I am a walking example of how sport can change your life for the better. Sport has totally shaped the person I am today’.
BPA Chief Executive Tim Hollingsworth said ‘The festival is about building on the momentum of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, we know that the performances of our athletes will have inspired many disabled people to take up sport.’
The Sports Fest is free to attend. You must register if you are interested.
For further information, contact the British Paralympic Association.
ERIKSSON CONFIRMED AS NEW UKA OLYMPIC HEAD COACH
29th October 2012
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| Peter Eriksson |
UK Athletics have today confirmed Peter Eriksson as the newly appointed Olympic Head Coach.
Eriksson will move on from his role as UKA’s Paralympic Head Coach with immediate effect. As the Paralympic head coach he masterminded a dramatic rise in performance of the British team, finishing second in the medal table in the 2011 World Championships and third at the London Paralympic Games.
Eriksson said ‘It is a great privilege to be asked to take on this role. I will continue with the methods and approach that has proved so successful in the Paralympic arena, which has been about strong performance management of our best medal prospects’.
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive UK Sports Association said “Congratulations to Peter, both on his appointment and the success of the London 2012 Games. Paralympic sport will miss him, but I hope that we can continue to build a strong programme for athletes with intellectual disability with UK Athletics support. I look forward to working with the UKA team in the weeks and months to come”.
ROYAL RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR PARALYMPICSGB AND TEAM GB MEDALLISTS
24th October 2012
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| Buckingham Palace |
Paralympics GB medallists from the London 2012 Paralympic Games were today welcomed to a Royal Reception at Buckingham Palace upon invitation by Her Majesty the Queen. It is the first time that British Paralympic and Olympic athletes have attended the post-Games reception together, with medallists from both ParalympicsGB and Team GB coming together to celebrate a remarkable summer of sporting excellence.
Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association said ‘Our medallists are honoured to attend today's Royal reception, and it constitutes another memorable occasion for those who helped to make 2012 a year in which Great Britain has been so hugely proud of the achievements of our Paralympic and Olympic athletes.'
DISABILITY SPORT WALES JOB VACANCIES
18th October 2012
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There is a vacancy for an Administration Officer to be based at its Cardiff office, housed within the Sport Wales National centre in Sophia Gardens. The closing date for this role is Friday 2nd November 2012.
There is also a vacancy for a Disability Sport Development Officer, part time, in Wrexham. The closing date for this is 2nd November 2012.
Contact Disability Sport Wales for further information or read more here - www.disabilitysportwales.org/news.
ANDREW KAAR AND STEPHEN MORRIS TO RECEIVE WORLD CLASS SUPPORT
15th October 2012
Congratulations to UKSA athletes Andrew Kaar and Stephen Morris who have been awarded UK Athletics development level support from the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) for 2013.
UKA Performance Director Neil Black said ‘Being part of the World Class Performance Plan is a privilege and not a right, and athletes selected will be expected to fulfill tough performance criteria.'
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive, UK Sports Association said "This marks a significant step forward for athletes with learning disability in athletics, as it is the first time since the Sydney 2000 Games that they have access to this programme. My thanks to UK Athletics and particularly Peter Eriksson and his team at UKA for working with us to ensure athletes were considered and successfully included."
NEW SPORTS CLUB ONLINE TOOLKIT
11th October 2012
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) has unveiled the Inclusion Club Hub. The online toolkit will support sports clubs to improve opportunities for disabled people to be active at a local level.
The idea is to get more disabled people included in club activities.
Barry Horne, Chief Executive of EFDS said ‘We are very proud of the inclusion club hub. Clubs are often the first point for people to take part in sport, so disabled people need to know that clubs value their membership and will support them too.'
The toolkit can be accessed at www.inclusion-club-hub.co.uk.
VACANCY FOR ENGLAND LEARNING DISABILITY CRICKET MANAGER
10th October 2012
The ECB have a vacancy for cricket manager of the England Learning Disability Team. They are ideally looking for someone with experience of working with people with learning disability and the deadline for applications is 19th October 2012.
Full details of the vacancy and how to apply here.
COACH OF THE YEAR FINALISTS 2012
9th October 2012
Sport Wales has revealed the coaches and volunteers aiming to lift the prestigious national coach of the year titles for 2012.
Chair of Sport Wales, Professor Laura McAllister said ‘We had a record number of entries to our awards this year and I know the panel found it difficult to create the shortlists, which is testament to the quality of all nominees.'
View the list of nominees here.
SUNDAY TIMES SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS OPEN
9th October 2012
Nominations are open for the chance to recognise the achievements of Great Britain's sportswomen at these years Sunday Times awards.
The closing date for nominations is midnight on 15th October 2012.
BBC SPORTS UNSUNG HERO 2012 AWARDS
8th October 2012
The BBC has once again launched the award to celebrate people working behind the scenes to make sport accessible to all.
If you know someone of any age who coaches, administers or organises clubs in their free time, for no reward except the enjoyment of seeing sport flourish in their communities across the UK – you can nominate them now.
For details of how to nominate go to: www.bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero.
UK COACHING AWARDS 2012
6th September 2012
Nominations are open for the UK coaching awards 2012. The awards provide the opportunity to thank coaches and coaching organisations for their dedication and to recognise their achievements.
Anyone can make a nomination by completing the UK coaching awards nomination form, the deadline for completed nominations is Friday 28 September 2012.
Download the nomination form here and get further details.
ANNUAL DISABILITY SPORT FESTIVAL FOR OLYMPIC PARK
5th September 2012
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| The Olympic Park site |
An annual festival of disability sport is to be staged at the Olympic Park as part of future Paralympic plans for the venues.
After the Paralympic Games, the park will close. It will re-open in July 2013 when it will be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic park.
The festival will be linked to a programme of training at sporting clubs in the surrounding London Boroughs. The programme will help to create new homes, public spaces and sporting venues which will be accessible for disabled people.
Daniel Moylan, Chairman of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said ‘This has been the most successful Paralympics in the history of the Games. Thousands of people will be inspired to get involved in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and we want to make sure there are opportunities for everyone'
.BRITISH SWIMMING IN NEGOTIATIONS TO HOST 2015 IPC SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
4th September 2012
IPC Swimming and British Swimming are in negotiations about hosting the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in the UK.
David Sparks, Chief Executive of British Swimming said ‘The IPC and Glasgow will also be looking with their partners Event Scotland, UK Sport and British Swimming exploring the potential for how we can deliver in 2015 a IPC Swimming World Championships rather than the planned IPC European Swimming Championships. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the British Paralympic Swimmers to prepare for the Paralympics just one year away in Rio in 2016."
IPC also announced today that Canada has been chosen to host the 2013 IPC World Swimming Championships.
The previous IPC Swimming World Championships were held in 2010 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and attracted 650 athletes from 53 countries competing in 181 medal events.
IPC ANNOUNCES PARALYMPIC COVERAGE
16th August 2012
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will broadcast over 780 hours of live sport on www.paralympic.org during the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Starting on 29th August, the IPC's website will have five channels broadcasting live sport each day. Four channels will have English commentary whilst a fifth will be available in Spanish. There will be over 1,000 hours of Video on Demand that will be uploaded onto the IPC website.
For more information go to the IPC website.
GOLD MEDAL STAMPS FOR PARALYMPIC ATHLETES
16th August 2012
In response to public demand, Royal Mail has agreed to continue to paint the UK gold with gold postboxes and individual gold stamps for the gold medal winners from the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Royal Mail will issue individual first class stamps for each gold medal winner from the Paralympic Games across 518 dedicated post offices across the UK.
Andrew Hammond, Managing Director Royal Mail Stamps, said ‘Following the great success of Team GB at the Olympics and the way our stamps and Gold post boxes have captured the public imagination, we have decided to commemorate Paralympics GB in the same way'.
Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive Officer British Paralympic Association (BPA), said ‘We are delighted that the offer has been increased to enable individual stamps to celebrate our athletes achievements and thank Royal Mail for reconsidering this proposal'.
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive, UK Sports Association said on hearing the announcement today “I am delighted to see that Paralympians will be recognised in the same way. Let's hope that there is a huge gold medal rush that includes the 9 athletes with learning disability on the Team. What a great memento that will be for those 9 athletes who are the first to compete in a Paralympic Games since the Sydney 2000 Games”.
Click here to read the full release.
London parade of Olympic and Paralympian Athletes planned
7th August 2012
To celebrate the success of Team GB and Paralympics GB, there will be an athlete parade through the streets of London on 10th September 2012.
“Our Greatest Team Parade” will feature 900 athletes from both teams and is likely to pass by Guildhall through the City of London past iconic sites of Mansion House, St Paul's Cathedral, The Royal Courts of Justice, Trafalgar Square and finally through Admiralty Arch and down the prestigious Mall towards their final destination of Queen Victoria Monument.
The athletes will come together for the big finale in front of Buckingham Palace.
Over half a million supporters are expected to be on the streets.
Paralympian Magazine now available
6th August 2012
The London 2012 Games-time edition of The Paralympian, the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) award-winning magazine, has now been published online.
You can view the Paralympian Magazine here.
This edition focuses on the build-up to the Paralympic Games, which are set to be a milestone in the Paralympic Movement with 4,200 athletes from 165 countries competing across 503 medal events.
The magazine looks ahead to Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, Pyeong Chang 2018 and the Candidate Cities for 2020, with exciting updates from them all.
During London 2012, the IPC will live stream more than 780 hours of sporting action via five channels, two of which will be displayed in a groundbreaking new video player that integrates live footage and results.
In addition, the IPC expects to upload more than 1,000 hours of video on demand to www.paralympic.org.
Job Vacancy - Mencap National Sport Manager
27th July 2012
Mencap Sport is looking for a new National Sports Manager. Full details of the job are available on their website www.mencap.org.uk/jobs.
Closing date for applications is 17th August 2012. All queries should go to Mencap.
Doing sport differently
24th July 2012
Disability Rights UK has launched the Doing Sport Differently guide to exercise and fitness for people living with disability or health conditions. The guide is written by, and for people with lived experience of disability or health conditions and covers the benefits of sport and fitness including how to get involved.
The guide is free to download here.
Disability Rights UK would also like to hear from you about your views and experiences on taking part in sport. You can fill in their survey here.
England Athletics Club Finder Information
24th July 2012
England Athletics has launched a new online tool to help people find their nearest athletics club, running club or Run England registered running group.
The club finder tool has lots of general information about athletics clubs and also allows people to choose to find Run England Groups near them – these are groups often run by affiliated clubs and athletics networks which are targeted specifically at beginners or recreational runners.
For the Club Finder online tool click here.
To find out more about Run England Groups click here.
London 2012 Paralympic Games - Interview with Athletes with Leaning Disability
19th July 2012
A short film has been produced by INAS and UKSA featuring athletes, Andrew Kaar, Owen Miller and Stephen Morris. You will hear their inspiring stories as well as their aspirations for London 2012 and beyond.
The athletes talk about what it means to be part of the Paralympic Games. They also talk about the eligibility and classification system that they have been part of.
The video also features interviews with Professor Jan Burns, Head of Eligibility, INAS and Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive UK Sports Association highlighting the important work on eligibility and classification that has led to the re-inclusion of athletes with learning disability in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The production of this film and other resources has been supported through funding from the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Psychology and the Paralympics
19th July 2012
A short film has been produced by INAS to give more information on the role of classifiers for athletes with learning disability. Jennifer Maris, a trainee clinical psychologist recently volunteered her skills to help the process. She describes the process and what's involved.
Channel 4's Superhuman Effort
19th July 2012
Channel 4 has launched a hard hitting campaign for the London 2012 Paralympics that aired on television networks earlier this week. The advert is a trailer for Channel 4's unprecedented Paralympic coverage and features members of Britain's Paralympic team.
Channel 4 will show over 150 hours of Paralympic coverage during this year's event, more than any other in Paralympics history. The British Paralympic Authority (BPA) worked with Channel 4 to develop the advert and Tim Hollingsworth, Head of the BPA, said ‘We wanted to show that every Paralympic athlete has a story and that it starts with the sport'.
You can watch the full advert here.
Tickets for St. Paul's Cathedral Paralympic Games Service
19th July 2012
St Paul's Cathedral in Central London is holding a special service to mark the opening of the Paralympic Games. The service will be held on Sunday 26th August at 6pm.
The service is being organised jointly by the British Paralympic Association (BPA) and English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and is open to anyone to attend. Admission is free but by ticket only.
To apply please complete and return the response slip below by Friday 10th August 2012.
Response slip can be downloaded here.
Science at the Paralympics
18th July 2012
A recent article in the Science journal - Nature magazine has a profile of Professor Jan Burns' research into classification of athletes with Learning Disability. She has helped to make the return of athletes with Learning Disability into the Paralympics possible by developing the eligibility and classification system used to distinguish the level of disability a person has.
Tony Collins – Olympic Torchbearer
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| Tony Collins |
04th July 2012
Tony Collins, 34, from Essex will be carrying the Olympic Torch through Rayleigh on 6th July 2012.
Tony has been participating in athletics from a young age when he joined local club Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club, and has represented Great Britain numerous times with the UK Sports Association athletics teams. Come and show your support for Tony on 06th July!
Get full details of the route and where Tony is running here.
Proud of the sport? Who do you want to see honoured?
27th June 2012
Nominations are open for the Regional Awards programme organised by England Athletics. England Athletics is asking who you want to see honoured whether its your coach, work your club has done, an official or a big name athlete you want to see recognised.
The nominations for Regional Awards lead in to National Awards and you can vote in the Hall of Fame to say who you would like to see added to the likes of Daley Thompson, Seb Coe, Sally Gunnell, Jonathan Edwards and other big name athletes.
Vote for the volunteer awards at www.englandathletics.org/Awards-2012 and for the Hall of Fame at Read the full story here.
Disabled people playing more sport as london 2012 games approach
22nd June 2012
The number of adults with an impairment or illness playing sport every week has increased from 1.32 million to 1.66 million and for the first time the number of people in England playing sport every week has topped 15 million.
Figures released by Sport England show that 15.28 million people aged 16 and over are playing sport at least once a week, 500,000 more than six months ago and 1.3 million more than in 2005 / 06 when London won the Olympic bid.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt said ‘With the London 2012 Games around the corner its encouraging to see sports participation is on the rise'.
James Simpson carrying the Olympic torch
21st June 2012
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| James Simpson with the Olympic Torch |
James Simpson from Ulverston in Cumbria had the privilege of carrying the Olympic Flame as an official Torchbearer on 21st June 2012.
James took part in Day 34 of the Torch Relay when the Olympic Torch was carried from Dumfries to Bowness-On-Windermere.
Watch James carrying the flame on the BBC website by clicking the afternoon window and scrolling to 15:08 minutes through the clip.
Giant Olympic rings unveiled at Heathrow
20th June 2012
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| The Olympic Rings at Heathrow |
Giant Olympic rings have been unveiled at Heathrow, the Host airport of the Games, to welcome visitors to London 2012. The rings will provide a spectacular visual welcome to athletes, Games visitors and others arriving for the London 2012 Games. The rings were officially launched at Terminal 5 at a special event today by Olympian Mark Foster.
Paul Deighton, LOCOG Chief Executive, said ‘The Olympic Rings are an iconic symbol, inspiring athletes and uniting people around the world'.
England football team roar to third place
18th June 2012
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| England team courtesy of theFA.com |
Congratulations to the England Learning Disability football team who secured third place in the recent INAS European Championships in Sweden. England beat France 4-1 in the third/fourth place match which helped to make up in part for the semi final defeat to Holland.
Coach Chris Dowhan said ‘To achieve third place with a young, inexperienced squad is a good achievement by all the players and staff'.
England Team players:
K. Ginever, J. Walne, M. Edwards, A. Bilal, C. McGinty, L. Plummer (B. Khorrami), G. Chukwuma (C. Allen), R. Greenidge, R. Gallagher, C. Farrell (G. Simmons), S. Mbarouk
