6 August 2012 Feeling inspired by a summer of sport?
On September 17 Trailblazers will be hosting an event that showcases disability and sport in City Hall, London. One of the organisations that will be joining us at that event will be the WheelPower a national body for wheelchair sport.
A few weeks ago Trailblazers met with WheelPower and their activities sounded great, so I hope you enjoying reading more about the opportunities on offer. Steve Snelling from WheelPower tells us more below:
Feeling inspired by a summer of fantastic sport? Do you have a physical impairment? Are you interested in meeting new people and making lifelong friends whilst improving your health at the same time? Then WheelPower-British Wheelchair Sport is here for you!
WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport provides opportunities, facilities and equipment to enable disabled people to participate in wheelchair sport and lead healthy active lives. Through our member Sports Associations and links with other organisations WheelPower supports individuals to find a sport or physical activity that they are passionate about. There are a wide range of sports available including archery, athletics, bowls, cue sports, fencing, handcycling, powerlifting, shooting, skiing, ice sledge hockey, table tennis, tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and many more.
Based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games and home of wheelchair sport, WheelPower has a strong history and has provided a pathway for many athletes to achieve their best in both non-competitive and competitive opportunities. The charity was founded by Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a pioneer of using sport as part of rehabilitation of spinal cord injured patients and instigator of the Paralympic movement through his work at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
WheelPower manages an annual event programme which provides opportunities for individuals aged from six and upwards to participate in wheelchair sport at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. Alongside these core events WheelPower has links to many other opportunities across the country to get involved in sport and physical activity.
A young woman who attends WheelPower events regularly and is hoping to be at the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016 has stated:
WheelPower has enabled me to make friends and to understand that I am not alone with my disability. It has also taught me that sport is there for everyone.
Her mother supported this by highlighting:
She would not be where she is today if it hadn't been for WheelPower. They have given her the opportunity to realise her potential and to have confidence to go for her dream, and we cannot thank them enough for the work they have done.
Why not get involved in wheelchair sport today; get in contact with Steve Snelling, Inclusive Sports Advisor at WheelPower via 01296 395995 or email steve.snelling@wheelpower.org.uk.
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