New sessions for athletes with disabilities get off to a golden
start!
Local
athletes with disabilities are getting together to enjoy new
athletics sessions in Barry, launched in conjunction with the Vale
of Glamorgan Council's sports development team.
Barry & Vale Harriers welcomed fourteen new members at the
first night of the new weekly training sessions at Jenner Park
Stadium, and it is hoped that the sessions will continue to go from
strength to strength.
The Vale Council's
Disablity Sport Wales Officer Linda Ruston has teamed up with the
Harriers to launch the initial ten-week introduction to athletics
programme, which is open to everyone aged eight upwards. The
sessions take place alongside those for non-disabled athletes, and
are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
The sessions are being led by experienced coach Shawn Sullivan
and Disability Sports Wales volunteers Karen Coyle, Pete Pucella
and Suzanne Wilcox.
Paralympian Nathan Stephens (left) was also on hand at the
launch session to pass on expert advice in the throwing events.
The 19-year-old Bridgend athlete is a much-fancied contender for
medals at the Beijing Paralympics this summer as he is currently
ranked number two in the world in disabled discus, javelin and shot
put.
Nathan delivered nearly an hour of top class coaching
to the enthusiastic new members who were keen to try out their
newly-learned skills. Everyone at the club would like to wish
Nathan the best of luck in Beijing.
Chairman of the Barry & Vale Harriers Fred Malkin is
delighted with the new sessions, while Lindsey Bridgeman, the
Federation of Disability Sport Wales' national athletics officer,
said: "The first session was a big success. I'm thrilled with the
numbers that attended, and the fact that the club is inclusive,
with opportunities for both disabled and non-disabled athletes. If
only all clubs shared the same refreshing outlook."
For more information, or a registration form, please contact
Linda Ruston on 01446 704728 / 07725446493, email
lruston@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or visit the Vale
disability sport web pages.
21/07/2008