Students take the lead in inclusive activity sports
Students from York St John University
have undertaken a training programme to teach inclusive sports to
young people and adults with disabilities in the region.
The training initiative is a result of a
fruitful partnership between York St John and the Sport &
Active Leisure Team at City of York Council. So far more than 38
students on courses from across the University have been trained to
run disabled sports activities at York St John Inclusive Activity
Club (YSJIAC). In addition to receiving a nationally recognised
qualification, participating students receive a CRB check through
City of York Council and the opportunity to acquire skills that
will benefit them in their future career.
YSJIAC was launched by two former York St John
students in November 2009 and provides a social environment in
which local residents with learning or physical disabilities can
play multi-sports activities, such as Boccia, New Age Kurling,
Tri-golf and table tennis. Goalball, the Paralympic sport designed
for people with a visual impairment, is a new sport being launched
by the club on Saturday afternoons. Two teams of three blindfolded
players attempt to score in the opposition’s goal by throwing a
ball with bells inside. Players defend their own goal using their
bodies much like a football goalkeeper.
Dean Armstrong, Development Officer for
Community Sport and Knowledge Exchange at York St John University,
describes the benefits of the training:
"With an increase in demand for qualified and
experienced inclusive activity coaches in the run-up to the 2012
Paralympic games, it’s great that our students have this
opportunity to equip themselves with skills that will ultimately
aid in their employability after university. We’re delighted that
some of our qualified students have already been offered the
opportunity to act as Goalball officials at the 2012 Games."
He added:
"As part of the University’s mission to become
a recognised centre for inclusive sport opportunities, our
partnership with YSJIAC is highly valued, and the chance for us to
develop future leaders of sport, exercise and well-being is
entirely welcomed."
Simon Kumar, a former sports student at York
St John, set up YSJIAC with fellow student Rob Tyas. Simon and Rob
are now Disability Sport and Physical Activity Officers at City of
York Council and are responsible for encouraging people with
disabilities to become physically active within the city.
Simon said:
"It is fantastic that the club has now doubled
in size, providing even more sporting and physical activity
opportunities for people with disabilities."
All YSJIAC sessions take place on a Saturday
in the Foss Sports Hall at York St John University. Multi-sports
sessions for persons with a learning or physical disability aged 14
or over take place from 10.15am – 11.45am. Goalball sessions for
persons aged 12 or over with a visual impairment take place from
12.15pm – 13.15pm.
Picture shows: Simon Kumar, Disability
Sport and Physical Activity Officer at City of York Council and
former York St John student, with inclusive sports
equipment
For further information please contact Amy Hall, PR
& Communications Officer on T: 01904 876466 or E: a.hall@yorksj.ac.uk
