Staffordshire Stars

Able Too Forum

Disability Sport in East Staffordshire has enabled people with disabilities more opportunities to participate in a variety of activities, which are provided through the East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Sports Development Team, who work in partnership with Able Too Forum.

 

The Able Too Forum was founded in 1999 and consists of 12 volunteers who attend meetings throughout the year to discuss future activities/projects. The forum aim to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and reach their full potential in a range of sports and activities.

 

The Able Too Forum has been very successful in the past 6/7 years accessing external funding from Awards For All, Local Children’s Network Fund, Sport Relief Fund, Staffordshire Children’s Centre, Consolidated Charity of Burton upon Trent, and East Staffordshire Sports Council, which has gone towards funding all the activities.

 

Specific Features

•  Able Too United Football Development Centre – Opened in May 2003 by Burton Albion Captain Darren Stride. Organised in partnership with the Staffordshire FA. The centre continues to provide weekly football coaching for children and adults aged from 5 to 60 years old.

 

• Able Too United – This football team competes in the Staffordshire Ability Counts League and it made up from players who attend the Football Development Centre. Recently the team have been honoured with the Npower West Midlands Disability ‘Team of the Year’ 2010. They are also waiting for the outcome of their Charter Standard application.  

 

• Disability Holiday Programme – Multi-sport activities are organised to attract the non-footballers therefore activities include Cricket, Zone Hockey, Boccia, Kurling, Goalball and Basketball. Held at Shobnall Leisure Complex.

 

• Able Too Games – An event for people with disabilities held annually in November. First event was held in 2003. The activities included Football, Basketball, Cricket, Judo, Swimming, Bowls, Boccia, Kurling, Goalball, Aerobics, Table Top Games and Zone Hockey.

 

• Sports Coaches assist Community Clubs – The forum pays for specialist sports coaches to assist community disability club leaders on their usual weekly club night. This provides a direct link to the forums activities, therefore providing more opportunities to play sport.

 

Quote from Neil Brown, Sports Development Officer at East Staffordshire Borough Council and Treasurer to the Able Too Forum.

 

‘Disability Sport in East Staffordshire has continued to grow each year through the work of the Sports Development Team and Able Too Forum. It has been our aim to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in physical activities, to have fun and meet new people. The Able Too Games is a fantastic example, and the event provided a variety of activities, and gave everyone the opportunity to participate and have fun regardless of their disability.’

 

‘The Npower West Midlands ‘Team of the Year’ award was the icing on the cake for another year of hard work from the Able Too Forum. The volunteers involved with the forum show excellent commitment and dedication to such a worthy cause. Their continued work provides all these activities for people with disabilities to enjoy and extend their quality of life.’