DISABILITY SPORT

The Paralympic Games:

The Athens 2004 Paralympic Games ran from 17th to the 28th September. Twenty four of the athletes representing Great Britain were Welsh and of these, three hail from Bridgend.

Stephen Thomas, 27 was the first Welsh athlete to gain selection for the Games after a very successful build up in the Sonar Class Sailing event when he became Bronze medalist in the World Championships of 2003.Stephen is also a winter sports athlete and competed in the World Ice Sledge Hockey Championships for team GB in Sweden, during March 2004 alongside two other Bridgend Athletes, Russell Willey, a previous Paralympian himself as a power lifter and Nathan Stephens, who also has a winter and summer sports programme and at 16 years old is also an exceptional athletics prospect.

Rhiannon Henry, 16, is the youngest Welsh swimmer to ever reach a Paralympic Games. Currently a four time medallist from the International Blinds Sports World Championships of 2003 and the world record holder in the 100m and 800m Freestyle, she gained two bronze medals in her first games in athens. Having been named ‘Young Athlete of the Year’ by the Federation of Disability Sports Wales during 2003, Rhiannon is another young athlete to watch in the future.

Neil Robinson of Laleston, is a veteran of several Paralympics Games as a table tennis player and this year lived up to his continued status as one of the best players in the world with a silver medal in the team event in Athens.

Sports Camp

Since summer 2002, Bridgend Sports Development Unit has run Sports Camps catering for children with disabilities, with support from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF).

Children take part in 3-5 days structured skills sessions delivered by qualified coaches in sports such as trampolining, badminton, boccia,

gymnastic, judo, swimming, football, athletics and rugby.

The aim of the sports camp is to give children with a disability, who may not participate in sport, a positive sporting experience and to also promote

community sports clubs. The previous sports camps have proven highly

successful and as a result the community clubs have all gained new members.

As a result of this success, we are now keen to encourage children with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, who are able to fully

integrate into mainstream activities, to participate in other camps and

activity days run by Dragon Sport and sports governing bodies.

For more information on any of the issues above, please contact the Disability Sports Cymru Development Officer.

Rotary supports the Disability Sport Cymru Scheme in Bridgend

The rotary club of Bridgend has been existence for 79 years and has proud record of assisting the community in Bridgend and surrounding areas. Over the years, the Club has involved itself in a number of projects benefiting the aged, the young, the sick and the infirm. It has, too, helped with environmental schemes and drug awareness initiatives. The club has a full programme of youth activities such as Rotary youth leadership award scheme. It raises money for national causes and last year provided Braille embossing machine for a School in Sri Lanka. In recent years, the club has been delighted to support the Bridgend Disabled Team in Annual competition in Newport in November. Members have attended this competition and have been pleased to witness excellent performances from the Bridgend contingent. We wish much success to the disability sport cymru development Officer and all those who are striving to develop facilities for disabled athletes in Bridgend.

Disability Sport Cymru continued

Coach Education Programme

The Sports Development Unit runs and promotes coach education and training in partnership with National Governing Bodies. As part of the programme we run disability sports specific courses. The aim is to give new coaches as well as established mainstream coaches increased knowledge of specific issues when working with people with a disability in sport.

Performance Training Card

This scheme has been set up to support athletes with potential who have achieved international honours or are capable of achieving such honors within disability sport. Linked to Bridgend County Borough Council’s Bridge Card system, it provides access to fitness suites, swimming pools and

athletics facilities for sportsmen and sportswomen who live within the Bridgend County Borough.
The aim of the scheme is to provide a training support package that can assist the development of both skills and physical fitness across a broad range of sports.

The programme operates in parallel with National schemes such as Elite Cymru and Sports Aid foundation programmes managed by the Sports Council for Wales.

Community Chest

Community Chest is a Sports Council for Wales National Lottery funded grant aid scheme which supports the development of ‘grass roots’ sport throughout the County Borough. Grants of up to £750 are awarded to clubs and organisations for activities which will increase participation and improve standards of performance in sport.

This can range from coach education and recruitment and training of

volunteers to new club or team start up costs.

The majority of schemes supported are linked to the priority areas of

disability sport, young people, women and girls and areas of disadvantage.

For an application form for the Community Chest Scheme contact:

Sports Projects Officer

TEL: 01656 642686