Sports festivals for disabled young people
Cash from the Extended Services Fund has led to a significant improvement to the structure of festivals and competition in the county for disabled young people, and to date ten festivals have taken place, involving a total of 314 participants.
A newly formed group called the Derbyshire Special School Sports Association (DSSSA) has been established to look at competition, festivals and pathways for disabled young people in the county.
A representative has also been elected to sit on the Derbyshire School Sports Association so that special schools have a voice when developing competitions to ensure inclusion and integration across School Sports Partnerships and Sports Associations.
Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund
Some of the county’s most gifted young disabled sports people have been awarded bursaries of £300 each from the Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund.
Daniel Longhurst (Equestrian), Madeliene Thompson (Wheelchair Basketball) and Matthew Dalley (Equestrian) are among the 108 Derbyshire athletes selected to receive cash help towards training and competition costs.
Madeliene, from Hope Valley, has recently been awarded a silver Paralympic passport for 2012 and is waiting to hear if she has made the final 12, from a shortlist of 17, for the GB Women's team for the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.
Matthew (pictured), from Willington, was placed third in the Freestyle Dressage and fifth in the Countryside Challenge at the RDA National Championships last year, and will compete at the Special Olympics in Leicester in July.
Daniel, from Oakwood, will also be competing at the Special Olympics in July, and won the countryside challenge at last year’s RDA National Championships. Read more
Derbyshire to celebrate National Inclusive Fitness Week
Events will once again be taking place in Derbyshire as part of National Inclusive Fitness Week, which this year will be held from May 11 to 17.
The week aims to unite fitness facilities across the country in providing people with the opportunity to experience new activities and to understand that exercise really can and should be for all. Read more
Soccer Sight
A new commentary service has been launched at Derby County FC for blind and partially sighted people.
Soccer Sight is an initiative from the Royal National Institute of the Blind, which has been designed to work with football clubs to improve access for blind and partially sighted people.
Supported by the HBOS Foundation, V and the Football Foundation, the project allows blind and partially sighted fans to sit anywhere within the stadium to receive the commentary. For more information contact susan.neale@rnib.org.uk
Free Mental Health Awareness Training
Derbyshire County PCT has organised a series of free mental health awareness training sessions, specifically developed to meet the needs of sports and fitness instructors involved in exercise referral and the IFI initiative.
One in four people have a mental health problem at some time in their life, most commonly anxiety or depression, and one in 100 people have schizophrenia. Some of the symptoms of these and other mental health problems can be prevented or alleviated by physical activity and exercise.
Sessions to help staff better understand mental health issues and develop their confidence in working with people who experience mental health problems have already been held in Chesterfield, Bakewell and Clowne.
Sessions are also due to be held at Park Hill, Egginton, on May 13, and Toll Bar House, Ilkeston, on July 1. Read more
Great Britons’ scheme helps UK talent take off
Free return flights are being given away in a new scheme run by British Airways, which is designed to provide support to people who want to develop their talent in the run up to 2012.
‘Great Britons’ will provide successful applicants with flights that will allow them to visit a location or attend an event that will boost their chances of success in their chosen field, be it in sport or another area.
It is open to everyone aged 16 and above, and groups can also apply together for the chance to win a free flight for every member. Read more
Young Achiever Awards
A number of Derbyshire’s young disabled people were among those to have their sporting successes recognised at Derbyshire County Council’s Young Achiever Awards.
Wheelchair basketball player Madeliene Thompson was honoured after becoming the youngest wheelchair basketball player to represent her country at the Under 22 level, aged just 13.
Also honoured was William Marshall, who has Downs Syndrome, who took part in a 60 mile bike ride from London to Brighton despite using stabilisers just two years ago, and Luke Sayles, a talented wheelchair fencer who competed at the Norwich Union Youth Games, winning a bronze in table tennis and wheelchair basketball and a silver in wheelchair fencing. Read more
Club directory
A new club directory is currently being produced which will help to raise awareness of the current club opportunities in Derbyshire which are accessible to disabled people.
The countywide directory will be the first of its kind and will be fully accessible. It is due to be published this summer, and will be available both online and as a hard copy of distribution. For further details contact Catherine Slater on 01773 571231. | 
