County News

Two Rivers to Represent the West Midlands

Two Rivers School from Tamworth and Rigby Hall School from Bromsgrove will represent the West Midlands in the national finals of the Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) Tag Rugby Festival at Stoke Mandeville on May 4.

 

Both progressed from the second West Midlands festival staged at Bromsgrove’s Finstall Park ground which built on last year’s successful inaugural event.

 

The national finals are the showcase event for the three-day Festival of Sport run by the English Federation of Disability Sport.

 

The West Midlands festival more than doubled in size with a broader representation from all corners of the region.

 

Mixed gender teams with a total of 120 pupils with moderate learning difficulties aged 11-16, braved wet weather to enjoy four expert coaching sessions delivered by RFU CRC’s, with help from the community team at RFU Championship club Worcester Warriors. The teams then split into two separate events each with five teams.

 

The inclusive event was for those that just wanted to have fun, socialise and perhaps hadn’t had a lot of tag rugby experience. The games were refereed with great empathy which ensured all pupils of many ability levels, got involved.

 

For those wanting to compete for the right to represent the West Midlands at the RFU’s National MLD tag rugby finals, there was a more serious parallel competitive event which proved to be a close contest with Two Rivers winning all their matches. Rigby Hall came second.

 

The Festival was supported by Steve Peters, the RFU Regional Rugby Manager for Midlands West and several of his Rugby Development Officers.

 

Ben Waterhouse, the Rugby Development Officer for Worcestershire and South Warwickshire, said: "The rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of all involved who seemed determined to enjoy themselves. The festival was a new experience for many of the pupils and the post festival plaudits have encouraged us to make the 2012 festival bigger and better."

 

Schools who took part in the West Midlands festival were: Two Rivers School (Tamworth), Fountains School (Burton), Hednesford Valley School (Hednesford), Rigby Hall School (Bromsgrove), Selly Oak (Birmingham), Kielder unit from Bluecoats School (Hereford), Round Oak School (Warwick), Stourminster School (Kidderminster), Pitcheroak School (Redditch).

 

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SHANRYE RIDING STABLES OPEN DAY

 

“Riding should be for everyone and we make that happen”

 

Shanrye Riding Stables would like to invite you to its first open day. 

 

7^th and 8^th of May 2011

 

Join us for a relaxing informative experience where your child can enjoy the fun of being with our ponies, .

 

Whats on offer ~ lots,  your child will have the opportunity to:

 

• Muck out the stables ( its fun and burns off energy)
•  Ride on lead rein (that's the really fun bit)
•  See the Farrier at work (questions are more than welcome)
•  See a pony worked on the lunge rein
•  Learn how to mix a ponies feed
•  Explore the surrounding woodlands
•  Achieve a certificate of attendance

All of the staff at Shanrye Riding Stables have completed training courses on working with and supporting children with Autism and Aspergers

 

we want to capture your child's imagination, encourage their curiosity, and reward their achievements no matter how small (or maybe how incredible). Most importantly we aim to cater for the individual child.

 

We do ask for a contribution of £5.00 to cover the insurance for you child to ride.

To book a space at our open day please contact us:

 

Tel: 01902 790351  - Mobile:  07525818730

 

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Click here to download poster

 

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Staffordshire Ability Counts League

 

The Staffordshire Ability Counts League is very happy to announce that they will be running again for the 2011/2012 football season.

 

The league, the first and only of its kind in the County caters for both Adult and Junior players. The junior sections are at u12 & u16 age groups as Disability Football can allow play within a 4 year age band.

 

The league is a PAN Disability League which means players with different impairments such as Cerebral Palsy, Visual and Hearing Impairments, Amputee, Learning Difficulties and Mental Health problems can create mixed teams to compete against other teams of the same standard.

 

The league runs monthly on a Sunday and all fixtures will be played at a central venue in Staffordshire, the central venue is moved around the County to enable all clubs to save a little on travelling costs.

 

The league is interested in recruiting new teams and equally important, new committee members for the start of the 2011/2012 season. This will enable the league to retain its current teams and also grow with new sides.

 

To express your interest in entering a side for next season or your interested in joining the Staffordshire Ability Counts League committee please contact the Staffordshire Ability Counts League secretary Jamie Leaning on

jamie.leaning@staffordshirefa.com

 

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Disability Snowsport UK National Skiathon 
Attention skiers and snowboarders: Tuesday May 17th 2011 is the date of Disability Snowsport UK’s (DSUK) third National Skiathon. Skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in teams of 6, alongside the British Disabled Ski team, and an exciting collection of Britain’s top freestylers and celebrities (to be announced).

 

Entry is £66 per team with the requirement to raise a minimum of £666. The challenge is to ski 666 runs in 6 hours at one of 6 UK indoor ski slopes including the Chill Factor in Manchester; Tamworth Snowdome in Staffordshire; Hemel Snow Dome in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire; Sno!zone Braehead in Glasgow; Sno!zone Castleford in West Yorkshire; Sno!zone Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. Equipment hire is included in the entry fee and there are prizes for the teams that raise the most money and ski the most runs.

 

There’s no need to be a top-flight skier or boarder - quizzes and games give everyone the chance to win extra runs for their team. Each participant also receives a goodies bag and a T-shirt as a memento of a great day out raising money to help bring joy and excitement to many people living with disabilities throughout the UK. DSUK’s target is to raise a minimum of £35,000 so get a team together now.

 

To enter visit: https://regonline.activeeurope.com/disabilitysnowsportuknationalskiathon

 
Or contact Sophie Wood: SophieWood@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk / 0161 749 2290.

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