Disability Sports in the UK
In the UK, the number of disabled people involved in sports is increasing rapidly. There are many types of disabled sports available to people with disabilities, ranging from basketball to football. However, the funding needed to run these sports could be tight, as the sport’s governing body, UK Sport, warned in a recent article.
Wheelchair basketball
Wheelchair basketball is a disability sport played by both disabled and non-disabled people. It is a fast, tactical and technical game that requires the use of a wheelchair and basketball. While it is not an Olympic sport, it has become an increasingly popular form of competitive sports in the UK.
In recent years, Wheelchair Basketball has experienced a resurgence in the domestic market. Many new players are coming into the sport, as is an increasing number of women. The sport also has a strong and growing league network, with over 200 clubs in the UK.
During last year’s Paralympics, Wheelchair Basketball was the third most watched sport on Channel 4’s coverage. As the sport grows in popularity, it’s possible to see participation grow to over 70 000 people, with potential for more than 70 more teams.
A national body, British Wheelchair Basketball, is responsible for governing the sport in the UK. Their ambition is to encourage wheelchair users to play and participate, with the help of a variety of partners and initiatives.
Since 2011, Wheelchair Basketball has been included in the School Games. The sport also has a strong media presence, with regular broadcasts on mainstream media and a growing audience. There are over 17,000 people who are members of a wheelchair basketball club in the UK.
Founded in 1993, the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the global governing body for the sport. In addition to international competition, the sport is also a major domestic player, with a thriving league network, over 200 teams and a huge fan base.
Frame football
In the UK, there are many organisations that promote disability sports. The main aim of these organisations is to get more disabled people to participate in sport. This can improve their health and well being, and can reduce the risk of obesity.
There are also several charities and support groups that offer guidance and advice on disability sports. One organisation that has developed a number of useful products and services is the Activity Alliance.
The Activity Alliance is an umbrella body for disability sport in the UK. It provides insight, training, and resources to ensure that all disabled people have the opportunity to experience a memorable and meaningful sport.
The Activity Alliance works with national and local organisations to develop opportunities for disabled people. Several programmes are available including Get Out, Get Active, and the Sainsbury’s Active Kids programme.
Another example of an organisation in the UK that promotes disability sports is the British Paralympic Association. They have a website that provides information on various sports for disabled people.
A new online Disability Sports Institute is set to be launched in the near future by Deloitte. This will encourage participation in UK sport.
There are numerous charities, clubs and organisations in the UK that cater for all kinds of disabilities. Some of these offer advice and help to athletes, and others support those who play a range of different sports.
Limbpower
LimbPower is a national charity that helps individuals with limb impairments get the most out of sport. Their mission is to make sports fun and inclusive for everyone. They have a range of events that can be found all over the country.
LimbPower has a wide variety of products and services that can help people with limb impairments find the sports that are most appropriate for them. One of these is the Pathway to the Paralympics. This scheme will assist athletes in developing their skills and preparing them for the next generation of Paralympics.
There are many ways to find the sports that you are interested in, including attending local events, signing up to a sports club, and looking online. The latest statistics suggest that over 8 in 10 individuals with a limb impairment have participated in some form of physical activity over the last year.
The most useful sports related information can be gleaned from the National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs). These organisations provide advice and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For example, the Pathway to the Paralympics will aid disabled athletes in finding clubs that will suit their needs.
In the most practical sense, the biggest challenge is making sure that more people are able to take part in sport. As such, NDSOs are working hard to help them succeed.
The NDSOs have also created an accessible sporting program that includes information on the many different sports and activities available to individuals with a disability. A few examples include a guide to wheelchairs, a website for children with a physical disability, and a smattering of information about the benefits of taking part in sports.
Special Olympics Great Britain
Special Olympics Great Britain is the UK’s largest year-round sports programme. The organisation delivers over 27,000 regular sports coaching sessions in England and Scotland. Moreover, it is the largest provider of athletic competitions for people with intellectual disabilities. This is a feat of human endeavour that is seldom matched by any other organization.
One of the organisation’s most prominent activities is the Vitality Westminster Mile. The mile isn’t a race, but a timed running event that will take place on a spectacular course on London’s The Mall. It is also the biggest timed mile in the world.
The Special Olympics is a global organisation that fosters community sport for intellectually disabled people. To date, the organisation reaches five million athletes in over 190 countries. There are a number of ways in which the organisation works with its hundreds of thousands of volunteers.
For instance, Special Olympics has its own version of the Olympic Games, namely the Special Olympics World Summer Games. These are held every four years and bring together people from around the world. Athletes compete in twenty-six summer sports.
In addition, the organisation has a variety of other activities, such as its aforementioned Unified events. You can find more information about these here. Additionally, Special Olympics has produced a whole web page containing a slew of resources.
Special Olympics has been around for many years, but the organisation has only recently started to see a significant boost in profile. One reason is the fact that its newfound celebrity, Jack Grealish, has agreed to play a long-term role in raising the profile of the organisation.
Deloitte Parasport
Deloitte Parasport has been a major hitter in the sports world since its launch in 2007. The organisation is not only responsible for the largest number of games on the UK’s Olympic and Paralympic stages, but also one of the largest sports database sets in the country, containing information on nearly 20,000 gifted disabled young people. It’s also responsible for the largest sports prize in the world, the Deloitte Parasport Prize, a two-day international sporting festival in which thousands of sports fans from around the world descend on London.
One of the largest achievements in the company’s history is the creation of the world’s first ever dedicated Paralympics website. The website is aimed at encouraging the tens of thousands of gifted disabled young people to get involved in sport, by letting them know where and when they can play. A national ‘Playground to Podium’ programme also supports the initiative by providing training and mentoring to help the young athletes get on the right track. In the process, Deloitte is also helping a handful of the country’s leading sports stars, including former Olympic gymnasts and rugby league star Joe Marler.
In addition to Deloitte’s aforementioned initiatives, it has also helped develop a tax support scheme for the world’s top sports stars and helped turn player data into meaningful intelligence. Perhaps most importantly, the firm has acted as a scout and a guide for some of the biggest and best sports clubs in the UK, helping them win some of the most prestigious international competitions.
UK Sport warns of funding cuts
UK Sport has outlined a new funding strategy to ensure success in a wider range of sports. The funding will be reduced by 28 per cent over the next four years. In the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Games, the amount of money given to sports will decrease significantly.
UK Sport’s new strategy aims to focus on the medal potential of athletes over a 12-year period. It also aims to tackle inequalities in sport. It highlights the importance of working with partners in the industry to improve the experience of all.
This will mean that smaller and non-commercially driven sports will have to struggle to keep their heads above water without central Government support. Katherine Grainger, chair of UK Sport, has warned that a cut in budget could jeopardise Britain’s record of Olympic success.
The funding cut has been criticised by wheelchair rugby. Ed Warner said the decision was “catastrophic” and “failed” the Paralympic movement. British Fencing has confirmed a formal appeal.
Other sports affected by funding cuts are gymnastics, equestrian and swimming. Athletes in these sports will be forced to perform to their maximum potential.
Gymnastics has lost 50% of its budget, and rowing has been cut by almost 10%. Table tennis has failed to secure a reprieve. However, athletics has been hit hardest with a 13.2% cut to World Class Performance funding.
UK Sport has warned of further cuts after the Games. During a consultation on elite sport funding, the organisation said it would not be afraid to adopt a tougher approach.
List your Disability sports activities and events at clubs to get more people interested.