Successful 6th Able Too Games

 

The Able Too Forum, in conjunction with East Staffordshire Borough Council, once again organised a very successful Able Too Games.

 

The event was on Saturday 12^th September 2009 at Meadowside Leisure Centre. The date was brought forward from last year’s November date due to the closure of the Meadowside Centre for refurbishment.

 

This date unfortunately clashed with a large disability sports club camping event, therefore meaning potentially 3 to 4 clubs couldn’t attend. This will be looked at for next year’s event, to avoid such a clash in future years. Also, we are governed by the re-opening of the Meadowside Centre, which might have an impact on any potential dates. The Meadowside Management mentioned that if we could hold the games shortly after the re-opening, as they would particularly like a showcase event to show-off the new facilities.

 

This year we had 47 people with disabilities attend, plus their families. We had 12 different activities during the day, ranging from swimming to boccia to table tennis and bowls. We had consistent numbers across each activity, meaning people were free to come and try different activities that they may not necessarily have done before.

 

During the day we had assistance from various disability sports clubs, including, Uxbridge Ability Table Tennis Club, Able Too United Football Club, Mark Symonds Karate club and the Head coaches from the East Staffs Badminton Development Group. The idea of having this representation, we would hope that those people who attended would progress into one of these clubs or at least have the information of when these clubs meet. All the clubs involved all thought the day had gone well and are hopeful of seeing some of the attendees again at their own club session.

 

The day was funded by various groups and organisations. The main contributor was the Consolidated Charity of Burton on Trent who kindly donated £850.50 towards the hire of the Meadowside Centre. The Able Too group had money granted after last year’s event from the Staffordshire Community Foundation and also we have a grant from the Burton Breweries Charitable Trust, which we don’t know the value of yet.

 

The staff used on the day were, East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Sports Leaders, who in some cases on the day led certain activities. Members of the Able Too Forum were on hand to take care of proceedings during the day.

 

Parents thought that the coaching aspect of each session was excellent and different to other years; it engaged the participants longer and gave them a true feel of how our Able Too clubs operate. This feedback was received and passed on to the coaches, as they initiated the idea.

 

We also had other excellent feedback ideas, which will be presented to the Able Too Forum, in hope to action or respond to.

 

Overall, the day was well attended, well received and we are certain that next year, all who attended will attend again. In addition, with the other disability sports clubs able to attend, we hope for another successful year.

 

For more information contact:

 

Neil Brown
Sports Development Officer
East Staffordshire Borough Council
Tel: (01283) 505914
Mobile: 07966342223