Cambridge University Sports Centre to host first disability multi-sport sessions
At the end of January 2014, the Cambridge University Sports Centre will host the first of its Disability Multi-Sport sessions. This initiative has been established in partnership with Cambridge City Council and two organisations who work towards raising the profile of, and engagement with, sport– Sportivate and Living Sport. Dial-A-Ride, a local non-profit organisation that provides accessible local transport services, is also a partner in the venture.
The sessions are designed to allow students, staff and disabled members of the community to take part in a variety of sports at a regular time and in a high quality facility. The sessions will be run from 10am until midday on Saturday mornings for an initial six-week period, allowing participants to engage in a wide range of sports for £3 per session.
The Assistant Director of Physical Education at Cambridge, Karen Pearce, has helped design the sessions. Among the sports she has decided to have are badminton, sitting volleyball, boccia and table tennis. She says:
"There will be a mix of coached activities and casual playing opportunities. The sports will vary from week to week, and we will take into account feedback from attendees as to which sports are the most popular, and which they would therefore like to do more of. There is also the option to use the fitness, strength and conditioning facilities, where PE Department staff will be available to give inductions and assistance to first- time users.”
A few table-top sports will also be available; there will be table cricket, chess and other games set up in the reception area, and a ping-pong table available outside under cover.
This initiative comes after Varsity (Cambridge University’s independent student newspaper) last term added its voice to calls for better disability sport provision at Cambridge.
The campaign has focused on a perceived lack of an organised environment within the university for disability sports. The existing options for disabled sportspeople were seen to be taking part in modified versions of regular sports, or joining local clubs.
But, according to the latest Sport England Active People Survey, 93% of disabled people in England do not take part in sport. The organisers share the view of the English Federation of Disability Sport, that it is vital to create more opportunities for those wanting to get involved in inclusive sport.
The Multi-Sport sessions have been designed accordingly, to take full advantage of the facilities available: the Sports Centre was designed with accessibility as a key guiding principle. In case those interested in taking part consider transport to be a barrier, the organisers have engaged Dial-A-Ride, who will be providing a minibus to collect students and take them to the Sports Centre, and take them home again after the session.
The organisers hope that these sessions will provide the opportunity for people not only to play sport, but also to get together and discuss the key issues and barriers that may have prevented them from doing so before. Rather than dictating the way in which disability sport should take place in Cambridge, the department is hoping to facilitate the development of disability sport in the city, by providing the space, equipment and support to allow it to evolve in a way that meets the needs and goals of the participants.
Whereas the sessions are aimed at any disabled people, non-disabled students are offered volunteering opportunities at the events.
Adapted from article by Roxana Antohi- Friday 17th January 2014. Read Varsity online here
