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Jordanne Whiley set for Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training this weekend

Jordanne Whiley, US Open wheelchair tennis champion and 2012 Paralympic Games medalist, will be participating in a Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training workshop in north London this Sunday.

The 23-year-old sports star has her sights set on Wimbledon and the Rio Paralympics later this year, but is first attending the training event organised by Access Sport and delivered by programme partners sports coach UK.

Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training is for those who support disabled people of all ages within the community, and have an opportunity to put the training into practice.

And Jordanne told the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) why upskilled volunteers are vital when it comes to enabling disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity:

“Volunteers are really important. I worked with a lot of volunteers when I was growing up. When I was younger I had access to a sports centre but limited access to a coach. So the people who supported me were volunteers, while my Dad also volunteered to help me by coaching me for a long time as well.

“I know how important the work of volunteers is, especially in disability sport, and they are vital at a grassroots level when you’re starting out. Without volunteers all sport would struggle.

“Even now, at elite level, I rely on volunteers. When I go to tournaments, a lot of people who provide the water or the towels, or who set up the catering, are all volunteers. Without them there would be no wheelchair tennis tour.”

Sunday’s three-hour practical Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training session, complimented by online resources, will be preceded by a talk presented by Jordanne on the role of supporters in sport.

She is attending in her role as Ambassador for the Ignite Programme at Access Sport, which aims to engage young disabled people into sport.

Jordanne said:

“I’d 100% encourage a young disabled person to try sport. When I was growing up I actually tried a few sports and I loved them all, but I excelled in tennis. If I hadn’t gone and tried it I would never have discovered my passion and my talent. Do it, and you will be surprised by how much you love it and how much talent you have.

“I know, however, that there are lots of disabled people who simply don’t have access – I do understand it can be a struggle.

“A volunteer who has learned about inclusion makes life easier for disabled participants. It means that for a disabled person, attending a local sports club is no longer a hassle. When I was younger I would often face non-disabled people who wouldn’t know how to play with and against me. So having a well-trained volunteer would enable a young disabled person to be able to play.”

Over 3,200 individuals have taken advantage of the informative and practical training that make up Sainsbury’s Inclusive Community Training.

Typically, those participants range from carers, support workers, parents, volunteers and community groups and organisations.

Over the last 18 months, EFDS has been documenting the positive experiences of many who have participated in workshops. There are dozens of open workshops available to sign up to, all advertised on the EFDS website.

For further information, please contact EFDS, email AK4A@efds.co.uk or telephone 01509 227751. Find us on Twitter @Eng_Dis_Sport, Facebook and LinkedIn.