Disability Sports Day

On Wednesday 16th July, at 10am, St Aidans School in Carlisle, in partnership with Cumbria Sport is hosting a Disability Sports Day. Secondary aged pupil with a disability will have an opportunity to take part in a range of sports including, trampolining, orienteering, athletics, climbing, canoeing, boccia, basketball and swimming. 

The Sports Day is an annual event bringing specialist coaches from across the Country. Local coaches have been invited to get a clearer understanding of the abilities of young disabled pupils. It is hoped that this will enable them to integrate appropriate sporting activities in their local clubs. Pupils from St Aidan’s, North Cumbria Technology College and Trinity schools have attended a training day and will be helping with specific activities. These are pupils who are studying A level PE or are undertaking a Community Sports Leader Award. 

John Harris a wheelchair user who has taken part in 4 Olympic Games and has won Gold medal in the discus will be coming along to present certificates and talk to the pupils participating in the sports and giving them some tips throughout the day. The Furness Falcons Wheelchair Basketball Team from Barrow will also be coming to the event to give a demonstration of their abilities and coach other pupils. 

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for these pupils to come together and take part in a wide range of sports and have fun with their friends and families at the same time. The County Council believes that everyone can improve their education and skills and we as a Council will do all we can to make sure that these young people have the chance to do so. It is so important to encourage young people whether they have a disability or not to go out and take part in sport. The event will give coaches the opportunity to see exactly what these pupils can do giving them a better understanding of their abilities so they can join local clubs and take part in the sports with other young people. I wish everyone who attends the day every success.” 

Vanessa Foster, Sport & Physical Education Development Officer for Cumbria Sport is organising the event. She says 

“This is the third year that we have held the Two- Can –You-Can day in Cumbria. Each year we have held the event in a different district. The pupils gain a tremendous amount from experiencing a variety of sports and mixing with other pupils.”