New clubs for people with disabilities launched

FOLLOWING on from a successful pilot, ‘Active Clubs NI’ will see 18 new sports groups specifically for people with disabilities and their friends.

The ‘Active Club’ sessions will be run through the Sport NI funded ‘Active Community Programme’, in Lisburn, Craigavon, Cookstown, Castlereagh and Belfast.

The clubs will be run under the ‘Active Clubs’ banner and will feature sessions aimed at young people and adults with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, with all the sessions being open to friends to participate also.

A Kids Multi-skills Pan-disability, plus friends event will be held at the Lagan Valley Leisureplex on Mondays from 6-7pm from January 9.

An adult Active Pan-disability event featuring Boccia for adults will be held in Poleglass Rec. Centre on Mondays from 10.30am-12.30pm from January 9.

The projects partners in each of the district councils are seeking to work with Disability Sports NI (DSNI) and Sport NI to address the under-representation of young people with disabilities in sport and physical recreation.

“The Active Clubs initiative will increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to get involved in sport/physical activity at a local level. The sessions will be run by experienced disability coaches and will be based on fun and participation,” said Aubrey Bingham, Disability Sports NI.

Sport Northern Ireland Chief Executive, Eamonn McCartan added: “Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to be working in partnership with Disability Sports NI and the local district councils to provide opportunities for people with a disability to get involved in sport and physical recreation.”

If you are a person with any type of disability, parent/friend of a young disabled person, teacher, community worker or youth worker the organisers are urging you to let anyone interested know about the ‘Active Clubs’ programme.

To find out more, register your interest or to get information about opportunities in your area contact Disability Sports NI T: 9038 7062 or e: [email protected].

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