Around 250 pupils from 17 Bristol and Plymouth special schools will compete for the honour of becoming Bristol’s Disability Panathlon Champions 2006. The event takes place this week between Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 June at the University of Bristol.
The Disability Panathlon challenge aims to encourage all pupils regardless of their disability to participate in a variety of sports. As a result of sponsorship and matched funding from Bristol International Airport and Sportmatch, this year’s programme has been extended to pupils from schools for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The challenge comprises of six different sports, including tag rugby, cricket skills, boccia, polybat tee-ball, orienteering and athletics. Fifteen of the University’s Community Sports Volunteer leaders, consisting of staff and students, will be on hand throughout the day to assist the lead organisers with the sports. The event is being held at the University’s Coombe Dingle Sports Complex from 10 am to 3 pm.
Bristol City Council and the University of Bristol have contributed generously to this event with additional sponsorship provided by Bristol International Airport, which enabled match funding to be secured from Sportsmatch.
Alison Finn, Disability Officer, West of England Sport Trust, said: " The Disability Panathlon gives pupils from special schools the opportunity to represent their school in a nationally recognised initiative. It encourages sport and physical activity for all levels of disability and children who may not traditionally take part.”
Panathlon has been running in Bristol and four other UK cities for several years, and continues to grow in popularity with both teachers and students.
Andrew Skipp, Managing Director of sponsor Bristol International Airport said: “We are constantly looking for ways in which we can actively support local education and sporting projects and delighted to have the opportunity to become lead sponsors of an initiative which clearly embraces both of these important criteria. We are particularly pleased that our support has not only allowed additional Sportsmatch funding to be secured, but has also made this exciting event for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties possible.”
Karen O’Donohoe, University Community Sports Officer, said: “Those who have attended this event in the past will know how fierce the action is between competing schools, and how committed pupils are to representing and winning for their own school.”
There will be an additional Panathlon Challenge day on Thursday 29 June for the schools that missed out in March this year due to strike action.
Image from left to right:
Alex Scott-Bayfield, Scheme Manager, Sportsmatch
Andrew Skipp, Managing Director, Bristol International Airport
Karen O' Donohoe, Community Sport Development Officer, Bristol University Stephen Williams MP
Simon Hinks, Deputy Director of Sport, Bristol University
Three pupils from Kingsweston School who will participate in next week's Disability Panathlon.