Young track and field talent competes in Warwick at National Junior Athletics Championships

More than 250 young disabled athletes will gather in Warwick this weekend to compete in the National Junior Athletics Championships 2014. The event on 12 and 13 July will be the climax of regional qualifiers and a chance to spot future track and field stars.

For over 25 years, the National Junior Athletics Championships has provided thousands of young disabled athletes with the opportunity to develop their talent and compete against others from across the country. They compete in a full track and field programme, which ensures there are disabled competitors with a wide range of impairments taking part.

Many elite disabled athletes, who began their golden careers at the event, remember these Junior Championships fondly. Paralympians Hannah Cockroft, Shelly Woods, Aled Davies and Hollie Arnold used the event as part of their development to become world-class athletes.

Hollie Arnold, current IPC F46 Javelin World champion said:

“I was spotted at this event as a very young athlete. It is an amazing event and a lot of fun to try out different sports to see which one you love the most- if not more! I did and mine is javelin. Just from being spotted at this event, I have now competed at two Paralympic Games and I am a World champion. I hope to continue for many more years.”

The upcoming Commonwealth Games 2014 will also feature squad members, who are past competitors at the National Junior Athletics Championships. Will Smith, 1500m T54; Fiona Clarke, long jump F37/38 and Bethany Woodward, long jump F37/38 all take part in Glasgow (23 July- 3 August).

As well as medals for the top three winners in each event, the Graham Bool Memorial Trophy is awarded to the region that accumulates the most points through individual performances. Last year the East region took the trophy from the reigning champions of two years the South West.

Barry Horne, Chief Executive of the English Federation of Disability Sport, said ahead of the Championships:

“It is fantastic to have so many young athletes in Warwick this weekend. The event is a superb starting block for many athletes and it has been great to watch some of the past competitors develop into international champions. I wish everyone the best of luck.”

The event is organised by Disability Sport Events, an English Federation of Disability Sport programme. Disability Sport Events delivers a range of participation opportunities for disabled people to enjoy being active at all levels. Over the years, the programme has been successful in building many partnerships across the sports sector. This has included with National Governing Bodies of sport, to support their events programmes to be more inclusive. The programme relies on money raised through corporate, trust and individual giving and the National Junior Athletics Championships is just one of the many opportunities available for sponsorship.

Lions Club International has been involved with the event since it began. Their support through fundraising and volunteers has helped to deliver the national and regional events across England.

Ian Clare, Lions Partnership Officer for the English Federation of Disability Sport said:

“The National Junior Athletics Championships have helped to identify and develop new talent, as well as engaged many Lions members as volunteers. Our partnership confirms two area of commitment for the Lions Clubs’ in local communities- health and youth as well as encouraging fulfilling lives and empowering the next generation.”

Spectators are welcome to watch the action free of charge.

Location: University of Warwick athletics track, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL

The programme will run as follows:

09:45 and 17:30 on Saturday 12 July

09:30 and 14:00 on Sunday 13 July

Contact Lucy Stanbrook for more information or to arrange media coverage. Lucy Stanbrook. Email: lstanbrook@efds.co.uk  07581 589443

For more information on the Disability Sport Events programme, please visit our website.