Blog: 'Organisations like EFDS are making a huge difference'
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year. This month's theme is leading the way in 2016 for disabled people in sport and physical activity.
Over December, you can read key leaders talk about their hopes for the year ahead. The final for the month comes from Justin Tomlinson MP, Minister for Disabled People.
Justin's blog:
I’m a huge sports fan, both watching and playing. Even in the chilly winter months if time allows I can be found kicking a ball around with friends or braving the cold at my local non-league side Swindon Supermarine.
After a long week in the office, being active or watching my team really clears my mind and gets me ready for the challenges ahead.
And I know I’m not the only one who sees the benefits that come from getting out and getting active. It’s widely recognised that sport is good for both physical and mental wellbeing. It can build skills and confidence and give people the feeling of being a part of something important.
Recently I was lucky enough join in with Swindon Vixen Learning Disability Netball Club. I’m not ashamed to say I got quite competitive and it was fantastic to be around their enthusiasm and passion for their sport. I want everyone to be able to feel that same passion.
For those of us that are not competitive there are all kinds of other activities that can get us active such as walking and dancing. When you consider the joy that physical activity can bring, it doesn’t seem right that disabled people are half as likely to be active as non-disabled people.
Everyone should have the same opportunities, and the fact that seven in ten disabled people want to be more active shows that the demand is there.
As Minister for Disabled People it’s my job to work across Government to try to remove the barriers they face. The good news is that we have a plan. The Government announced a new strategy – ‘Sporting Future: A New Strategy for an Active Nation’ – where tackling under-representation in sport is a key theme.
Sport England will support organisations which specifically aim to target under-representation in sports, and this includes disabled people. So far, nearly all of the national governing bodies of sport we invest in have specific targets for increasing the number of disabled people who play their sport. And Sport England is investing £171 million to make sure the change can happen.
I was proud to recently be part of the Disability Action Alliance and English Federation of Disability Sport’s ‘Making Active Lives Possible’ conference. I’m excited to see what sort of initiatives or changes we see from the organisations that attended.
Organisations like the English Federation of Disability Sport are making a huge difference and deserve the highest praise. Together we can extend the same passion and opportunity I have seen first-hand to everyone. Because when it comes to making sport inclusive for everyone, it really is the taking part that counts.
