Wednesday 30th March saw the success of the 2022 Central Parasport Festival with children and young people with Physical, Visual and Hearing impairments taking part at the event held at The Peak, Stirling. Pupils from P1 – S6 in mainstream schools travelled from across Central Scotland to take part in a variety of sports such as Archery, Boccia, Badminton, Swimming, Athletics, Football, Curling, Climbing and Basketball, all delivered by local sports clubs, Trust/ SGB representatives, regional/national coaches and GB athletes.
After the recent and difficult pandemic years, we were delighted that the event was such a great triumph, kindly hosted by Active Stirling and supported by the Celtic Foundation and Sheridan Keane Real Estate Investment. Strong partnerships from Forth Valley Disability Sport, Falkirk Community Trust, Active Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council supported the identification of pupils attending this years event and future pathway opportunities.
Inspirational speeches closed the event from Paralympic Athletes Meggan Dawson Farrell, Derek Rae, Owen Miller and even Olympian silver medalist Hammy McMillan supported the delivery of the curling session to the pupils on the ice. All para athletes shared their personal journey and experiences through disability sport and without a doubt inspired the pupils at the festival.
Cheryl Lappin (SDS Regional Development Manager for Central Scotland) said: “The event was a fantastic success and a worthwhile experience for many pupils engaging in sports they may never have tried before, but also their parents and teachers alike. Due to the pandemic and being the first face to face Central Parasport festival since 2019 I was ecstatic to see so many pupils with a physical and sensory disability from mainstream schools engage in all sports on offer, have fun, and potentially move up the pathway. The message is certainly getting out there that we are back with a bang and there are opportunities and pathways in place for all individuals with a disability within the FV community, from a local level to an international level.”
A special thank you to Sheridan Keane Real Estate and the Celtic Foundation for supporting this years event, as well as our kind hosts Active Stirling, Forth Valley Disability Sport, Falkirk Community Trust, Clackmannanshire Council, Scottish Swimming, Badminton Scotland, Basketball Scotland Scottish Boccia, Scottish Curling, British Curling, Climb Scotland, Wee County Archers, Forth Valley Flyers, Arion Swimming Club, Riverside Powerchair Football club, Falkirk Football Foundation, Stirling Albion FC, Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club, Inception Catering, sportscotland, SDS Staff, individual volunteers and the Active Stirling/Peak staff for all their support.
To find out more about this event or disability sport in Central Scotland, please contact:
Cheryl Lappin – cheryl.lappin@scottishdisabilitysport.com / Phone: 07577 830360