With only 100 days to go until the Paralympics kick off, we celebrated this milestone with an event that showcased and profiled the importance of inclusive community sports clubs. Members from four clubs attended and demonstrated their activities across a wide range of sports. The four clubs involved were St Patricks Karate Club (Cardiff) Caerphilly Celts (Wheelchair Basketball), Maldwyn Dragons (Gymnastics) and RCT Tigers (Football).
All of the clubs who attended have recently achieved the Disability Sport Wales ‘insport’ award. This award reflects their club’s commitment toward developing a more inclusive sporting society where disabled people have real choice as to where they chose to play their sport.
Michelle Daltry, National Development Manger said of the event, "The 21st May marked a fantastic celebration of inclusive sporting opportunities across the whole of Wales with events being held across the 3 regions in Swansea, Cardiff and Conwy. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the clubs, participants, parents and carers who supported the event – without you the day wouldn’t have been possible. Hopefully this event and the Paralympic Games in a less than a hundred days time will act as a catalyst to inspire more disabled people to join a local club and importantly more clubs to look consider how they can engage with disabled people."
A wheelchair basketball demonstration was hosted at Creuddyn Leisure Centre with four clubs from across the North Wales regions attending Conwy Thunder, Rhyl Raptors, Celtic Warriors and Caernarfon Celts.
Mark Richards, Disability Sport Wales Development Officer for Cowny said of the event, "It's fantastic to see a new club like Conwy Thunder WBC host such a well attended night celebrating 100 days to go until the Paralympics. Wheelchair basketball has really taken off in North Wales and the future looks bright with clubs now based in Conwy, Rhyl, Wrexham and Caernarfon.
It's clubs like these that really blur the boundaries between disability and non disabled sport and with the extra exposure of London 2012 I hope more non disabled clubs will open their doors to disabled athletes and become more inclusive.
The excitement of the London 2012 is really building and it's great to know that we are prepared here in Conwy for the surge in interest after the Paralympics."
