Creating a new sport offering, focusing upon the social aspect and in turn improving our halls of residence offering, we are slowly but surely widening access to sport for all.
Hi everyone, as some of you are aware as part of my Manifesto, I've been working with the University of Derby Sport and Activity Team as well as my Union colleagues to improve accessibility.
Which is why I can proudly announce that a few months ago, we were able to launch the University of Derby Halls program! This goal formed part of my manifesto which aimed to improve accessibility into sport. Over 60 students signed up for our halls football tournament and 20+ for our climbing competition!
By creating a new sport offering, focusing upon the social aspect and in turn improving our halls of residence offering, we are slowly but surely widening access to sport for all.
The Halls program also utilises lots of different kinds of sport, further to my accessibility aims, the Halls program is seeking to include a parasports offering!
Giving students, not only, a choice in what kind of sport but working towards enabling different levels of ability to take part was a key aim. Recently I've been made aware that, students know they can get involved, but what they need is the offering to be involved with, which is why I'm working to introduce 8 new Para Sports offerings!
Our Table Tennis Club is leading the way by incorporating Wheelchair Table Tennis into their Friday training sessions!!
Jonny Beasley – Table Tennis Club President:
Table Tennis are proud to be the first team to provide a parasport offering! It's a huge bonus to have been able to obtain new wheelchairs suitable for sport and we're looking forward to being able to become a more inclusive club.
Parasports is a major way that we can ensure that students of all abilities, have the opportunity to take part in sports. Physical activity is not only good for us all physically but also mentally and socially!
As part of the offering, I'm also working on Sitting Volleyball, Goalball, Wheelchair Basketball, Para Table Tennis, Blind Football, Wheelchair Tennis, Para Boccia, and Rounders.
An important part of introducing parasports was using the facilities and teams we already have, to make it easier to introduce a long term, sustainable offer! I will be giving more updates over the next few months to keep you updated on my efforts!