Paralympic News

Deloitte Parasport – websites and widgets
Deloitte Parasport has helped thousands of people find opportunities to participate in disability sport. With London 2012 fast approaching and interest in sport increasing Deloitte Parasport is expanding its website to help as many people as possible reach their potential in disability sport. It includes videos of some of their success stories, new sections to help drive volunteers and coaches towards involvement, and new downloadable widgets.  

To find out more please visit the Deloitte Parasport website

MEN ADD BRONZE TO GB MEDAL TALLY AT BT PARALYMPIC WORLD CUP

The GB men's Wheelchair Basketball team secured the bronze medal at the BT Paralympic World Cup, defeating Brazil by 63-43.

The home team started out slowly and trailed throughout the first quarter. But they came out fighting in the second quarter and took the lead in the first two minutes. Terry Bywater had a great second quarter putting 12 points on the board to add to his overall top scorer tally of 17. GB finished the first half with an eight point lead over the Brazilian team.

The Brazilians looked like they were going to take control again in the third quarter, creeping back up to within three points on the scoreboard, but GB dug in and put another ten points between them with Highcock performing well both offensively and defensively.

Terry Bywater said, “I’m happy with the result, it was a typical ‘English Bulldog’ performance. We knew we had to come out of this game with a medal and we didn’t want to let the fans down and we showed what the British team is all about.”

GB then dominated and ran away in the fourth quarter, increasing their lead by over 20 points as the Brazilians looked tired and GB defended well. The last minutes also saw 16-year-old Harry Brown score his first international basket for GB, to rapturous applause as the bronze was secured.

The result came after Canada were crowned men’s Wheelchair Basketball champions of the BT Paralympic World Cup when they beat France 56-46.
Patrick Anderson was once again outstanding for the Canadians, as they led from the start and while they never put together a game-destroying run they did enjoy a 19-point lead during the third period.

As they had been in their game against Brazil yesterday, France were let down by the accuracy of their shooting but Canada’s continuous hustle throughout the game cannot be discounted as a key factor to their win.

Earlier, GB women won the BT Paralympic World Cup title with victory over Germany. The result was swiftly followed by Japan beating Canada to complete the women’s competition, in a match they finished 55-44.

Click here for full story

Special Olympics GB Celebrates National Family Week

As the country celebrates the National Family Week (30 May- 5 July) it is a great opportunity to acknowledge that amongst the 2011 Special Olympics Great Britain Team of 215 athletes and volunteer coaches, representing GB at the Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens, we have an exceptional group of dedicated family members from across Scotland, England and Wales.

“There are nine families (parents and children, and siblings) who are part of the team. This is unique to Special Olympics and something you will rarely find with the Paralympics or Olympics” said, Special Olympics GB CEO, Karen Wallin.

Many of the families (see below) joined Special Olympics GB to improve their family members’ quality of life through sports, and share an Olympic dream. Others became involved because there were no resources available for their children to participate in disability sports in their area. Still others, like mother/son Lesley and Matthew Whitehead -- both coaches -- are just passionate about making a difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities.

Also joining the 215-strong delegation will be over 230 family members and friends flyingto Athens to encourage the team.

PARALYMPIC HOPEFULS DOMINATE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

World Junior Champion Zoe Newson set a new European Junior record in the 40kg category with an impressive lift of 85.5kg, breaking her own personal best of 85kg and finishing the day as best female lifter overall.
 
And as well as Newson, there were several other personal best performances on the day, including athletes from the BWL World Class Programme Talent Squad athletes.
 
Roxan Luckock lifted 77.5kg, the Northampton 18-year-old just missing out on 80kg on her third attempt.
 
Lancashire’s Andrew Whittaker also set a new PB, the 28-year-old lifting 170kg and then going up to 175kg for his third effort which proved too heavy on the day.  And Surrey 29-year-old Jason Owen finished with an impressive 152.5kg following a technically good performance and three good lifts.
 
Elsewhere, Derbyshire’s Anthony Peddle (picture attached) was named best lifter overall with 145kg, but missed out on 150kg due to technical rule infringements. The 40-year-old first received the best lifter trophy in this competition 21 years ago.
 
Londoner Ali Jawad was back in action following illness and lifted 135kg in the 56kg class, while there was disappointment for Newark’s Natalie Blake who couldn’t register a good lift.
 
The event – organised by the British Weightlifting Association for the Disabled, saw a total of 27 athletes in action.

Paralympic dressage rider Lee Pearson out of Europeans

The European Championships - the last major Para dressage event before the London Games - take place in Belgium on 1-4 September.