The West Parasport Festival took place on 2 March 2023 at On-X Linwood Leisure Centre in Renfrewshire. The event was a complete success and gathered 107 enthusiastic participants with hearing loss, vision impairments or physical disabilities. Each participant had an opportunity to explore new activities, was able to take away something new and is hopefully continuing to take part in a sport after the event.
Thirteen Local Authorities took part in the event on the 2nd of March with schools ranging from East Renfrewshire, Argyll & Bute, East Dunbartonshire, South Ayrshire and many more.
There were nine activities that the young people took part in within the festival. These sports included football, badminton, tennis, table tennis, basketball, boccia, swimming, athletics, and Judo. Furthermore, there were show case sessions in kayaking, sailing and snow sports. These lessons involved a demonstration of the activity and a lead coach discussing the pathway of the sport.
Throughout the event learners had the chance to communicate with the six-time world champion frame runner Kayleigh Haggo. Kayleigh was able to answer questions from several young people during the day about her competitive experience and is an outstanding role model example for all the participants.
The young people rotated within their groups and thoroughly enjoyed their activities during the day. Each of the governing bodies that led their sports within the On-X leisure centre provided enjoyable sessions and offered a pathway for those interested in taking part in the sport after the festival. It was amazing to see so many people coming together enjoying sports, making new friendships, interacting with local clubs, and seeing the confidence grow in all these young adolescents.
A big thank you to the helpful staff of On-X Linwood, the students of the City of Glasgow College for volunteering, the local authorities for supporting, the active schools’ teams for promoting, the schools for bringing the young people along and most importantly that all the participants enjoying themselves.
If you, or anyone you know, lives with a physical, sensory, or learning disability in the West of Scotland and is interested in getting involved in sport, please get in touch with Gary on gary.mcdonald@scottishdisabilitysport.com or 07474479370.