This year’s 20th anniversary insport Series: Cardiff event attracted a record-breaking number of disabled children, young people and adults who came to Cardiff Met’s Cyncoed Campus to try out 29 different sports – with national coaches on hand to offer expert tuition completely free of charge.
And to help celebrate the beginning of the Paralympic year, elite athletes Harrison Walsh (discus), Kirsty Taylor (surfer), Harri Jenkins (wheelchair rugby), Lily Rice (swimmer) and James Ledger (sprinter) were also in attendance.
Laura Williams, Assistant Director for Sport, Physical Activity and Health at Cardiff Met University, said: “It’s incredible to see the National Indoor Athletics Centre being used in this way and giving opportunities to so many young people to come and try so many different sports. Bringing children into an environment like this and introducing them to so many different sports breaks down barriers, shows what abilities are there and proves that there is a sport for everyone.”
SPAR, the leading convenience store brand, is a long-standing national Community Partner and supporter of Disability Sport Wales and the insport Series.
Sarah Ellis, Group Marketing Director of SPAR Wholesaler AF Blakemore, said: “At SPAR we are passionate about building strong communities where everyone thrives. That's why we're proud to partner with Disability Sport Wales and the insport Series. This program makes sport truly accessible, letting every child in our communities experience the joy and lifelong benefits of physical activity. Through local club involvement, we ensure that their passion for sports continues beyond today, allowing SPAR to nurture the next generation of healthy, active community members.”
Cardiff Bay Rotary Club has been an invaluable title sponsor and supporter of insport Series: Cardiff since 2007 and has seen the event develop into the multi-sports event that it is today.
Phil Steele, Cardiff Bay Rotary Club, said: “When we first became involved in the insport Series: Cardiff event it was called the Wheelchair Spectacular, and it’s what we still call it within our club – even though the event has evolved tremendously since then. This is one of our main events that we sponsor. It’s one of our highlights of the year and it’s something we always look forward to.”
Most of the children attending the insport Series: Cardiff event came with their school. One such school was the Meadowbank Special School in Cardiff.
Toby Ashmore, class teacher at Meadowbank Special School, said: “An insport Series day like this is a really good way for children to try out lots of different sports, no matter what difficulties they may have. We’ve brought along some of our younger children this time to try sports that they have never had the opportunity to try before, and some of our older children are here helping to show them what to do, which is wonderful to see. It’s not just about physical wellbeing, but a day like this is excellent for their social skills and building self-confidence, and they’re achieving things that they would never normally believe they could do. There is a tremendous amount of team building going on, and everyone is having a lot of fun.”
More insport Series events for 2024 will be announced in due course – and new events will be listed with booking forms at: https://www.insportseries.co.uk.
If you’re wondering what insport Series is, it is events which provide inclusive sporting opportunities for disabled children, young people and adults across Wales.
Or put simply: inclusion + sport = insport!
For more information, please contact Paul Evans DSW Communications Officer on: paul@lloydbell.co.uk / 07710 743167
