Issued by City of York Council
A fun-packed day of disability sports and physical activities will take place at Energise at City of York Council’s fourth Celebrating Ability Day.
The event takes place on Tuesday, August 20 from 10am to 5pm where participants will be able to try a number of different sports and activities in friendly, free and supportive sessions.
Visiting the event is a number of world class athletes who will be on hand to help and deliver some winning tips:
- Local vision-impaired Goalball athlete, Jamie Hodgson, who has won a place in the Great Britain squad for the IBSA ‘C’ European Championships in September
- Clifford Woolass, twice World Singles Champion (2010 and 2011) of new-age-kurling. He has also represented Yorkshire/Lincolnshire in various sports at the Rotary Disabled British Championships from 1999 to 2010
- Sianagh Gallagher, a local gold medal winning paraclimber
- Middle and long distance runner Dave Moorcroft from Join In – an organisation connecting clubs and groups with their communities and inspiring people to volunteer
Councillor Sonja Crisp, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “Celebrating Ability Day highlights disabled people’s ability to take part in sport and there will be useful information available on the increasing number of sporting opportunities for disabled people in York every week.
“Last year the event welcomed one of Yorkshire’s Paralympic Flames and over 300 people attended, many of whom have taken up new sports or who have continued to play sport since.
“The event is a great example of how we are committed to equalities and diversity at City of York Council. Each of the day’s activities is selected with disability in mind, but everyone is welcome so come along and be inspired!”
This year over 15 different sports and activities will be organised by local sports clubs, National Governing Bodies of Sport and the council’s sport and active leisure team. These include:
- wheelchair basketball
- boccia (similar to bowls and petanque)
- new-age-kurling
- wheelchair skills
- goalball (a sport for athletes with visual impairments played by teams of three using a ball with bells inside)
- sportsability
- indoor climbing
- outdoor athletics
- gym
- tennis
New this year are powerchair football (played in electric powered wheelchairs), sitting volleyball and Halliwick swimming sessions, a holistic approach to teaching swimming to people with disabilities.
As well as trying out new sports, residents will be able to find out more about different sports clubs and volunteering opportunities for potential volunteers and coaches.
There will also be the opportunity to talk to activity providers, charities and other relevant groups who will promote their work, answer any questions and explain what they have to offer.
Celebrating Ability Day is for those over seven years old and everyone is welcome, whatever their experience or ability. A full timetable of events is available on the York council website.
Anyone interested can simply turn up to watch or play – those taking part are asked to bring water and dress for activity. Bookings are being taken in advance for popular and limited sessions – trampolining, climbing, gym and Halliwick swimming sessions.
For further information contact City of York Council’s disability sport and physical activity co-ordinator Glyn Newberry by email, or telephone 01904 553377.
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