North East lift the Regional Trophy at National Junior Athletics Championships
The North East team was elated to lift the Regional Trophy at the National Junior Athletics Championships 2014 this weekend. Their long awaited triumph came after 250 young disabled athletes competed in a full track and field programme at Warwick University. With numerous golds in their final medal count, North East’s points meant they overtook the competitive East region and claimed the Graham Bool Memorial Award.
The event was the climax of all the recent regional qualifiers held around the country and a chance to spot future track and field stars. Warwick University’s athletics stadium in Coventry hosted the renowned National Junior Athletics Championships on 12-13 July.
For over 25 years, the Championships have provided thousands of young disabled athletes with the opportunity to develop their talent and compete against their national rivals. The full programme 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.
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 two year reigning champions- the South West. The North East team were delighted to lift the trophy, in addition to one of their team, Bridgit Hobson, presented with the Lions Club International’s Endeavour Trophy. Bridgit had earlier impressed judges in the Powerchair slalom.
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 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.”
Mali Oram (East) and Shelby-Louise Watson (Scotland) were given the top boy and girl championship performances respectively. Both are fast becoming talented athletes to watch out for on the circuit. Their individual point scores over the weekend topped every other young athlete.
Jannine Walker, National Events Manager for the English Federation of Disability Sport, said:
“What a weekend! We are always really proud to deliver this event, which is the annual highlight for many who enter year on year. It’s a great starting block for those disabled athletes who want to develop their talent and move up through the different pathways. Not only do the young people go home with medals and personal bests, but they remember an enjoyable weekend full of social interaction, confidence-building and loads of fun.”
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.
Volunteers continue to the lifeblood of the Disability Sport Events programme. We would like to extend our thanks to the hundreds of people in the UK, who continue to dedicate their time and energy to ensure this event is an overwhelming success.
(Photo Ian Mirfin)
