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Birmingham’s first ever Disability Sports Festival

Birmingham Disability Sports Fest (BDSF,) is a week-long Paralympic and disability sports campaign where clubs across the city will run a number of FREE inclusive sports taster sessions to cater for people with a range of impairments.

The 38 sports taster sessions, delivered during the half term week from Saturday 26th  to Sunday 3rd November, will aim to encourage individuals to have a go at sports they may never have tried before, and particular emphasis has been placed on making the sessions family-friendly so that can everyone has the opportunity to join in.

In true Paralympic fashion, the festival will begin with a prestigious opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday 26 October, which will be attended by local dignitaries, stakeholders, Olympic & Paralympic athletes, volunteers and organisations from across Birmingham’s sporting landscape.

VIP attendees will enjoy a showcase of disability sports being played by inspirational local athletes and teams, before being treated to a performance by local Rhythmic Gymnastics star, Zara Turton, a 5-time gold medallist at the National Down Syndrome Championships, and the renowned, hearing-impaired music group ‘Music in Motion’.

The final order of the day will be for Birmingham Disability Sports Fest’s special guest and ambassador, Claire Cashmore, to declare the festival officially open. The Redditch-born Paralympian said:

“I feel very privileged to be the ambassador for such a fantastic and proactive campaign. Taking part in sport developed my confidence during my self-conscious teenage years and shaped me into the person I am today. BDSF 2013 has not been created to focus solely on finding the next Paralympic champion, but to ensure every single person with a disability has the opportunity to participate in a range of sports.”

As well as getting as many people as possible involved in the campaign, BDSF also intends to raise the profile of local clubs and organisations who dedicate their time to providing activities for disabled individuals.

The longer-term outcomes for BDSF are to ensure that pathways into sports clubs and the benefits to inclusion are better communicated, and that more young people with an impairment are given the support they need to allow talent to flourish.

The week-long festival of disability sport is being organised and co-ordinated by the Birmingham Disability Sports Forum. Matt Lloyd, GB Paralympian and Chairman of the Forum, said:

“I firmly believe that what is important is that people have fun using their bodies to the best of their abilities and they shouldn’t be limited as to what they play and who with.  I also believe that Birmingham should be at the forefront of a movement that sees a transition from clubs and organisations providing sport for disabled people, to clubs and organisations enabling disabled people to take part in inclusive sport.”

Birmingham Disability Sports Forum

The Birmingham Disability Sports Forum consists of a range of strategic and operational organisations that share best practice and look to influence partners to improve the opportunities for disabled people in sport. The group have developed a Terms of Reference to help guide their work.

The overarching objectives of the Birmingham Disability Sports Forum are the following:

  • To raise the profile of disability sport across the city
  • To increase the number of needs-led grassroots participation opportunities so more people with a disability can take part in sport
  • To develop existing disability sports provision and increase the quality of delivery by:
  • Helping mainstream clubs to become more inclusive
  • Increasing PAN disability provision       
  • sourcing opportunities for volunteer and coach education
  • consulting with service users and the general public to better understand the current (and predominant) barriers to participation

For more information, please contact either:

Matt Lloyd- Paralympian and Chairman of Birmingham Disability Sports Forum - 07951 936 862 – matt.lloyd@mdsc.co.uk 

Amy Bird-  Club Development (Interim Senior Manager) Birmingham Sport and Physical Activity Partnership – 0121 464 6004/ 07774337391 – amy.l.bird@birmingham.gov.uk

VIP Launch Event

  • Date: Saturday 26 October
  • Location: Alexander Stadium, Walsall Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2LR
  • Time: 12-2pm

 

Format: Showcase of disability sports, including the GB Wheelchair Rugby team, Dwarf Sports Association Football team and Wheelchair Racing.  Performances from Zara Turton, Rhythmic Gymnastics Down Syndrome gold-medallist and ‘Music in Motion’

Contact: Matt Lloyd- Paralympian and Chairman of Birmingham Disability Sports Forum - 07951 936 862 – matt.lloyd@mdsc.co.uk  OR Amy Bird- Club Development (Interim Senior Manager) – 0121 464 6004/ 07774337391 – amy.l,bird@birmingham.gov.uk 

Various events during the week

Date: 26th Oct-3rd November

Location: City-wide

Format: Various sessions in a wide range of sports and locations, potential photo & interview opportunities

Information: Visit http://www.birminghamsportpartnership.org/event for a full events list BDSF including contact details for each session.

For a full list of the taster sessions taking place during BDSF, please visit the events page on the Birmingham Sport & Physical Activity website: www.birminghamsportpartnership.org/event #BDSF13