Paralympic ‘Personal Bests’ event success
On Wednesday 23 August, over 100 participants took part in the annual Paralympic Personal Bests event at River Park Leisure
Centre.
First organised in 2012 to celebrate the triumph of the London Paralympic Games, the event provides children and adults with a wide range of disabilities the opportunity to take part in a variety of sports activities. With exclusive access to the facilities at River Park Leisure Centre, participants compete against themselves in swimming, archery, cricket, low level circuits, tennis, football and new age kurling - the aim being to beat their own personal best scores.
Participants were coached by representatives from Winchester and District Sports Association for Disabled (WADSAD), Southampton Football Club, Osman Tennis, Hampshire Cricket Board and the instructors at River Park Leisure Centre.
Cllr Lisa Griffiths, Winchester City Council Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing said,
The Paralympic Personal Bests event has become increasingly popular over recent years proving our commitment to develop disability sports participation within the district. We were very pleased that everyone involved had a wonderful day and I would like to thank all those whose hard work made it happen
Simply Health contributed funds enabling all participants to receive medals, t-shirts, certificates and prizes and the event was facilitated by volunteers from Santander and Winchester GoLD, with FirstBite’s ever-popular smoothie bike on hand to provide refreshments
Stuart Urquhart, Contract Manager at River Park Leisure Centre added,
We feel privileged to host such a fantastic and well attended event each year. River Park Leisure Centre is an inclusive site and we welcome those of all abilities to use the facilities. Disability sport plays a significant role in Places for People Leisure's sports development plans and is an area that we are committed to supporting and developing. We look forward to continuing our work with Winchester City Council and Winchester GoLD to make next year’s event another success
For further information on disability sport opportunities within Winchester please visit www.winchester.gov.uk/activewinchester/disability-sport/ or contact Calum Drummond on 01962 848 329.