Devon Ability Games dazzle in Plymouth
There was energy, enthusiasm and attitude aplenty last Friday as nearly 500 young athletes and volunteers from schools all over Devon gathered at the Plymouth Life Centre in the region’s biggest celebration of inclusive sport. Young people with a range of physical and learning disabilities came together to get active, try new sports and compete against one another.
With figures suggesting that 72% of people with a disability never take part in any sport or physical activity, the Local School Games organising Committee headed up by Active Devon know that it is vital to inspire our youngsters with lifelong active habits.
Stephen Dodd and Elizabeth Haywood both silver medallists at the Special Olympics which were held in Los Angeles last year were on hand to inspire the children and got stuck in with many of the sports on offer. Elizabeth tried out, among other taster activities, inclusive dance whilst Stephen challenged some of the young athletes as well as Crunchie the School Games’ mascot, to a rowing competition!
“If you’ve got a passion in sport, follow your dream” he said. “These Games are all about being given a chance. Take your chance and see where it will take you”.
Stephen’s advice certainly did not fall on deaf ears. It was evident just how much young people tried their hardest and inspired one another to be the best that they could be. They brought their ability, attitude and sporting prowess to competitions and taster activities as varied as dance, lazer shooting, tennis, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing. By trying out new sports, it is hoped that the young people may be inspired to join local sports clubs and get involved in wider physical activities within the community. Active Devon, who coordinate the running of the games have a programme of Devon Opportunity Clubs that are fully inclusive and offer people with impairments and disabilities the chance to try out a whole range of different sports in informal and supportive environments.
With around 50 young champions and volunteers on hand to enable the activities, score and referee events, the School Games provide them with the chance to learn new skills and be enriched by inclusive sport. One of the young volunteers said “enabling activity at the Games is so rewarding. It puts a smile on their faces and shows them and us that we are all the same!”
“We are just so grateful to our young volunteers” said Lisa Alford from Active Devon, who coordinates the event regionally on behalf of the Local Organising Committee. “They really do make the event a great success and are always really appreciated by the competitors and the school staff who accompany them. They bring enthusiasm, energy and a can-do attitude. They show the best of young people and are the real legacy from the 2012 Olympics”.
The Devon Winter Ability Games is part of a programme of four County wide School Games multi-sport festivals in Devon, delivered by Active Devon on behalf of the Devon School Games Local Organising Committee.
For further information please contact Active Devon on 01392 925150
