Vale school's 20 medals at National Junior Paralympic Games -
24/11/06
A team of nine paralympic athletes from Ysgol Erw’r Delyn at
Penarth is celebrating an impressive haul of 20 medals from a
national event.
Competing at the Norwich Union National Junior Games at Stoke
Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, the
team picked up seven gold and silver medals apiece and six bronze
from a variety of events including slalom, shooting, athletics,
weightlifting and polybat – a game similar to table tennis for
youngsters with a visual impairment.
The event was organised by WheelPower and attracted almost 300
disabled children from across the UK, and Disability Sport Wales
Development Officer for the Vale Linda Ruston said: “The team did
so well that they were invited to attend future events of the
Federation of Disability Sports Wales including a sports camp in
Norwich. This really is a wonderful achievement and provides a
source of inspiration for others.”
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure Cllr
Michael Harvey said: “The school, athletes and volunteers have
together achieved so much, and I look forward to learning about
their continued development and future success both locally and
nationally.”
Medallists included Alex Evans (gold, distance bean bag; silver,
slalom, and bronze, polybat), Rhianne Carter (two silvers and
bronze, polybat), Scott Bowen (silver), Tomas Martin (two golds,
shooting), Matthew Large (gold, shooting, and silver, club
throwing), Sam Harvey (three bronze, club throwing), Martin Ryan
(gold, polybat) and Tim Zakade (gold, club throwing, and bronze,
boccia).
A special mention must also go to the support staff comprising
teachers, parent volunteers and the caretaker who are Karen Coyle,
Liz Sleeman, Cheryl Terry, Janice Jones, Kim Bowen, Debbie Martin,
Teresa Evans, Kate Dixon and Kevin Delany.
For more information on disability sports in the Vale, contact
Linda Ruston on (01446) 704728 or email
Lruston@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.