DISABILITY SPORTS APPEAL
 General OverviewWhen it was announced that London is to host the Paralympic Games in 2012, The Lord’s Taverners wanted to find a way to be part of the legacy and build upon its reputation in the field of wheelchair sport. It became clear that the pathway for disabled youngsters into sport has many obstacles and that there is a shortfall of funding at grass roots level.In 2007 The Lord’s Taverners launched the Disability Sports Appeal (DSA) with the aim of raising £1 million by 2012. To be effective and to make a lasting difference, clearly focussed 5 year plans have been established through working together with the GB Wheelchair Basketball Association, The Tennis Foundation and CP Sport. Further details can be found by scrolling down the page and we also liaise and work with WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport. The strategy is to ‘Catch – Capture - Create’. That is to find and attract those disabled youngsters who are wheelchair users, introduce them to wheelchair sports through their schools, taster days and sports camps, capture and encourage their interest and sustain their development through regular training, coaching and club development and then the vital work of creating the pathways for competition and feeding into league structures. The work to date is just the start but the DSA initiative demonstrates that focussed funding for well managed plans really works. The approach has an entrepreneurial style to ‘getting things done’ without unnecessary bureaucracy. Those working in the field, many of whom are volunteers, are energetic, passionate and determined and this uncluttered approach serves as a huge encouragement to their efforts. “Your passion, positivity and enthusiasm have really inspired us and we look forward to spreading that across the country. Many thanks” – quote from CP Sport Jean Ratcliff, Disability Sports Advisor for the Appeal, states: “I know we can deliver clearly focussed plans for increasing participation in certain sports and create the excitement that will give even greater benefits to these young people than sport alone. It will be truly rewarding work.” Fundraising2008 was the second year of fundraising for The Lord’s Taverners Disability Sports Appeal and proved to be an exceptional year and one that we know will serve us well as we face the challenges ahead to meet the pledges of support we have given up to the Paralympic Games in 2012.The Lord’s Taverners took their annual fundraising event to the West Kent Region where an amazing lunch was held in Penshurst Place. The event was magnificently staged and the efforts of a great team resulted in £100,118 being raised. John Ledlie was our guest and we were delighted when he added to our fund with the presentation of a cheque for £50,000 on behalf of The Peter Harrison Foundation. After making a very strong bid to The Hilton in the Community Foundation we were thrilled to learn that the DSA had been chosen by their Trustees to be the beneficiary at their annual ball held at The Hilton on Park Lane on October 18th. This resulted with a cheque being presented for £148,823 plus £72,200 for the provision of sports wheelchairs. Including other donations the amount raised in 2008 was £393,642 - a reassuring outcome as we move forward. Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball AssociationWorking with the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association (GBWBA), we have developed a programme that aims to build progressively year on year to encourage club and league development and competition. Vital to the delivery has been the appointment of a Junior Development OfficerAlready new clubs have been formed and the increase in the number of younger players has led to a new ‘8 foot hoop’ league in addition to the ’10 foot hoop’ league as the younger players and novices cannot reach the full height baskets. The increase in the number of teams entering the leagues obviously represents new funding challenges as it requires additional venues. Six new teams have joined the league this year and a further six are ‘waiting in the wings’. Other achievements include:
www.gbwba.org.uk Wheelchair TennisThe potential numbers for wheelchair tennis are considerably lower than basketball and building up the number of players is where we must stay focussed. We believe it is too early to set up the mini tennis tournaments and shall be re-directing funds to work more closely within mainstream schools and clubs. During our first year we have achieved the following:Five hundred starter bags were distributed to young wheelchair users who have shown a keen interest in ’getting started’. Some were given to young players who attended the Junior Sports Camp at Stoke Mandeville and the bulk sent to schools around the country who responded to our mailing. All recipients are encouraged to register with The Tennis Foundation so we can follow up their interest. Eight young players showing real potential where sponsored to attend an ITF training camp in Holland for a week in July 2008. Not only did they benefit from the training but for most it was their first time away from home so their independence and social skills were undoubtedly developed. The National Wheelchair Tennis Championships are to be held in Gloucester in May and junior players have been invited to enter The Lord’s Taverners Junior Event, another first for many. More training days are planned but our focus is still very much at the ‘catch’ stage, to reach out to young wheelchair users in mainstream schools where currently there is a lot to do to make wheelchair tennis a choice. www.tennisfoundation.org.uk BocciaCP Sport works to provide sporting opportunities for people with cerebral palsy and has the governance of Boccia in England and Wales. It is currently setting up the governing body of Boccia in conjunction with Sport EnglandWorking with CP Sport, we have introduced a much needed junior development programme, which due to lack of funding was previously considered impossible. Inspired by the dedication of the DSA, CP Sport has energetically embraced this opportunity to set out a planned programme for junior players. This is an exciting development that is welcomed by schools, teachers, volunteers, parents and players. Key achievements to date are:
www.cpsport.org Sports WheelchairsWheelchair basketball has by far the greatest need of all sports for sports wheelchairs. Thanks to the support of The Hilton in the Foundation, which donated over £72,000 for sports wheelchairs in 2009, this should enable The Lord’s Taverners to meet the increasing demand as new clubs are established and more young players participate. However, it is anticipated that the demand will continue to grow and we shall need to set aside funds for this provision in 2010.Table CricketThe aim of Table Cricket is to provide young people who have severe physical disabilities with the opportunity to compete in a competitive team game based on the rules of cricket. It is played in special needs schools and gives young people the opportunity to play in a national competition. The emphasis is upon teamwork and sportsmanship in a fun and enjoyable environment.The England Cricket Board and Youth Sports Trust launched this version of the game via their World Cup Table Cricket competition in 1999. An approach was then made to the Lord’s Taverners to fund the competition. The Lord’s Taverners have since taken on the responsibility for delivering the competition as part of the ECB’s disability programme at a cost of £35K pa. Over 600 children now compete at the regional heats which are held in 9 venues around the country. The winning teams then travel to Lord’s Cricket Ground to compete in the finals in the MCC Indoor School. There is obvious potential to increase participation being one of only a few team sports in special need schools. There are some 1200 special needs schools in England alone. The same blueprint for development with a clearly defined plan will include the following key elements:
At present the DSA does not have sufficient funds to support this. And FinallyWe are confident that the DSA is making a real impact on developing young people by increasing the opportunity to participate in well organised sporting activities. There are many case studies that reinforce the value of that work. With additional funding we could make an even bigger impact. The support of The Peter Harrison Foundation has been a major contributor to getting these programmes up and running. We look forward to building on these firm foundations and truly making a positive difference to the lives of many children and their families.Jean Ratcliff Disability Sports Advisor The Lord’s Taverners Disability Sports Appeal March 2009 For more information please call 020 7821 2828. |