Celebrating sport inclusion in Gwynedd

An innovative sports scheme has been launched in Gwynedd which will enable disabled people in the county to be able to enjoy accessible cycling. During the same event at the Arfon Tennis Centre, Caernarfon the Insport Bronze award was presented to Gwynedd Council in recognition of their work in inclusion in sport and recreation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Marcus Politis, Disability Sports Development Officer for Gwynedd said: “The plan is to boost accessible cycling in Gwynedd and contribute towards improving the health of disabled people in the county. We have been working closely alongside Disability Sport Wales, The Outdoor Partnership, as well as Derwen and receiving input from key partners such as Antur Waunfawr, Bikes Menai and professionals at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. ” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The exciting project is made possible following an investment of £35,000, including £25,000 from Sport Wales and other investments by Gwynedd Council, Disability Sport Wales, Derwen, Farmers Union of Wales, The Outdoor Partnership and a kind donation by John and Sian Hughes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Following the launch of the first phase of the plan will be implemented at Plas Menai by Derwen where regular sessions are held for disabled children in Gwynedd. The second part is extended to provide opportunities for disabled children outside Derwen and services for disabled adults. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Mair Rowlands, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy Gwynedd said: “The vision of the Healthy Communities service is to inspire and support the people of Gwynedd to live healthy lives. We do this by providing recreational facilities and programmes, through the development of sports and the development of healthy lifestyle interventions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Ensuring equality and inclusion is central to the work of the service, by working towards providing facilities and programmes that meet the needs of Gwynedd residents. It is a great honour that we have received the bronze Insport award.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Insport is Disability Sport Wales’s scheme and is intended to support inclusive opportunities across the sport and recreation network. There are four standards in all programs (Ribbon, Bronze, Silver and Gold). Achieving each standard within the programme depends on demonstrating that a certain criteria are met. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the launch of pupils from Ysgol Hafod Lon and Pendalar were invited to try out the new bikes as well as participating in various physical education sessions including target games, throwing skills, wheelchair basketball and movement games. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​