The UK Sports Association (UKSA) has today announced the launch of its ‘My Sport My Voice’ project – a new initiative which aims to build on the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Set to commence in April 2014, ‘My Sport My Voice’ will raise awareness around talented athletes with learning disability amongst the general public, giving those athletes a platform to share their views and challenge perceptions around disability.
The project, which has been made possible thanks to a funding award from the Big Lottery Fund under its Spirit of 2012 Trust’s ‘Keeping the Spirit of 2012 Alive’ initiative, will involve establishing an Athlete Ambassador programme and implementing a series of nationwide workshops to engage with the public using a bespoke communication package designed as part of the project.
These workshops, which will be co-delivered by the Athlete Ambassadors, will help to dispel myths around learning disability, challenge outdated attitudes and enhance public awareness of the issues facing disabled people.
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive at UKSA, said: "My Voice My Sport will help to raise the profile of athletes with learning disability and of their remarkable achievements, both in and out of the sporting arena.
"The whole project is about including the athletes in every aspect, putting them at the very centre as our Athlete Ambassadors and enabling them to have their voice heard.
"UKSA plays a unique role as the only organisation in the UK focusing entirely on high performance sport for athletes with learning disability and so is ideally placed to drive this project forward but it would not be possible without the Big Lottery funding and we are very grateful for their support."
The project will be delivered in collaboration with the four Home Nation partner bodies - English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), Disability Sport Northern Ireland (DSNI) and Disability Sport Wales (DSW).
Jon Morgan, Executive Director at Disability Sport Wales, said: "Having the opportunity to play a central role in the delivery of the ‘My Sport My Voice’ project is something that all four Home Nation partners are very excited about.
"It is a fantastic initiative which will help to build on the momentum gathered during the London 2012 Paralympic Games. By educating the public and encouraging the development of positive perceptions of people with learning disability we have a real opportunity to influence change.
Tracey McCillen added: "Each of our Home Nation partners has a great deal of expertise and experience, their involvement and support will be invaluable in the successful delivery of this important project."
Peter Ainsworth, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "Like the 2012 London Games, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are set to inspire people and communities across the UK.
"My Sport My Voice is all about creating a positive, lasting legacy from the 2012 Games through challenging misconceptions around disabilities through the efforts of some fantastic athletes. It is just this kind of aim that inspired the Big Lottery Fund to set up The Spirit of 2012 Trust, which will be supporting many more brilliant projects like My Sport My Voice in the run up to next summer and beyond."
UKSA manages the eligibility and classification process for UK athletes with learning disability. The Great Britain Team is managed by UKSA in collaboration with its four Home Country members, Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Sports Northern Ireland, Welsh Sports Association for People with Learning Disability and Mencap Sport in England.
UKSA promotes, facilitates and supports talented sports people with learning disability in the UK to train, compete and excel in national and international competitive sport.
