Disability Sport Wales has today announced it is to receive a £20,000 grant from the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust. The grant will be used to support the development of five academy athletes and contribute to the funding of a Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Development Officer over a 12 month period.
The grant will enable athletes to access additional training and competition programmes. The five individuals who have been identified from the Disability Sport Wales (DSW) Performance and Academy programmes have all shown true potential to be part of the ParalympicsGB team at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, as well as fitting into the vision and mission of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust.
Gerwyn Owen, Academy Manager for Disability Sport Wales commented,
"Disability Sport Wales is extremely grateful for the support we have received from the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust. Through our partnership with the trust, athletes within Academy & performance programmes will benefit immensely, allowing them to gain additional training and competition opportunities as they start their journey towards Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Additionally the support in partnership with Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby will see the sport of Wheelchair Rugby developing further in Wales with this key appointment of a Development Officer."
Edward Jones, Secretary, Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust commented: "The Trustees of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust are delighted to be able to support Disability Sport Wales in the encouragement of Welsh athletes to take part in organised sport."
David Pond, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby's Chief Executive commented: "We are grateful for the support of the Welsh Charitable Trust which will really enable us to expand wheelchair rugby opportunities in Wales and harness the massive interest in the game generated by London 2012. We want to increase our support to Welsh clubs, Pirates and Dragons, and are looking to build a youth programme in Wales. We also want to provide rugby opportunities for injured service personnel undergoing rehabilitation and for those with life changing injuries from rugby and other sports."
The five athletes in receipt of a grant are Wheelchair Rugby player David Anthony - the Neath born player is an established GB squad member who was influential player at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The 23 year old who funds his own travel and equipment costs has welcomed the financial support. Fifteen year old, Wrexham born, Sabrina Fortune is one of the newest recruits to the DSW academy and is already making great strides in athletics. Sabrina is set for a promising future in field events. Phil Cochrane is currently an integral member of the GB under23s Wheelchair Basketball. This ambitious Newport born player was recently crowned Young Player of the Year at the British Wheelchair Basketball Junior Championships.
At just 22 years old, Swansea based, Ashleigh Hellyer is already an experienced athlete. The seated thrower competed at Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010 and narrowly missed out on selection for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Ashleigh has big plans for 2013 and 2014, notably the World Championships in Lyon this summer followed by selection for the IPC European Athletics Championships in his home town of Swansea. The finally recipient of an award is 28 year old Rob Davies. Following a rugby accident in 2007, he was introduced to table tennis during his rehabilitation by paralympian Sara Head. Currently ranked 6th in the World in his class, London 2012 was his first games. His goal is to compete and medal at Rio 2016.
