The Inspiring Sport West of Scotland Parasport event once again proved an enormous success with over 100 young people from across the West of Scotland attending.
The event held in partnership with Celtic FC Foundation was held on Friday 9th March at the fantastic Ravenscraig Sports Facility in North Lanarkshire.
The event is specifically for young people with a physical or visual impairment in mainstream schools and was open to pupils from Primary six to sixth year in Secondary schools.
The aim is to promote and showcase a variety of sports which will encourage the participants to engage in sports and activity sessions outwith school and in their local community, and realise the range of benefits in physical activity.
There was a wide variety of sports for the participants to try including Athletics, Basketball, Boccia, Bowls, Football, Judo, Table Tennis, Tennis and Sitting Volleyball. All the sports were supported by coaches and volunteers from local clubs and National Governing Bodies of sport who are highly experienced in Para-sport. Celtic FC community coaches delivered the football element in both ambulant football and Powerchair Football.
The event was delighted to welcome the Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell, who toured the venue, viewing all the activities in full flow and seeing the impact an event such as this can have on the participants and their families.
Tony Hamilton, CEO, Celtic FC Foundation was also in attendance and was delighted with the number of young people involved in the event, saying, ‘It’s been another tremendous day of energy and enthusiasm at our ‘Inspiring Sport Event’. For those living with disabilities, driving mass participation in sport is a key priority for Celtic FC Foundation – and with 105 pupils in attendance from 12 Local Authorities across the West of Scotland, today’s event will go a long way to ensuring young people are suitably inspired to get involved.’
Also, inspiring the young participants to get involved, was Stephen McGuire, World No.1 Boccia Player, who assisted at the boccia sessions. Stephen has been playing boccia for a number of years aspiring to be the top of his sport, which he has achieved with style, and a huge amount of training and determination. Having Stephen in attendance was of great importance in inspiring all future boccia players!
A special guest appearance from Celtic defender, Kieran Tierney, thrilled many of the participants and Kieran took time to be photographed and sign autographs with dozens of keen participants and some coaches and volunteers too!
Scottish Disability Sport would like to acknowledge all the key partners on the day for all their assistance in making the event happen. Thanks go to Judoscotland, Basketballscotland, Scottish Volleyball, Table Tennis Scotland, Tennisscotland, Celtic FC, Joe Wilson Table Tennis Club, Movement Park, West of Scotland Bowling Club, Rutherglen Tennis Club, Victoria Park Athletics Club, Red Star Athletics Club and Drumchapel Table Tennis Club, east Dunbartonshire Active Schools, North Ayrshire Active Schools, Ayrshire College, Coatbridge High School, St Peter the Apostle High School and the many volunteers who attended on the day.
If you would like more information on the event or on Disability Sport in the West of Scotland, please contact:
Lynn Allison, lynn.allison@scottishdisabilitysport.com 07974 448580 or
Lori Ure, lori.ure@scottishdisabilitysport.com 07806 815591
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