A range of disability sports sessions are beginning in York this month. Health reporter Kate Liptrot discovers what is on offer.

A RANGE of new and inclusive disability sports sessions are launching this month for people who want to take up boccia, bowling, badminton and wheelchair basketball in York.

Organised or supported by City of York Council’s Sport and Active Leisure team, these exciting sessions will help offer equality of opportunity for disabled sportspeople in the city.

Cllr Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism said: “These four sports were amongst the ten most popular amongst disabled residents, established by the council’s learning and physical disability sports survey 2013.

Jorvik Boccia Club, York & District Indoor Bowls Club, York RI (for Deaf Badminton) and York Sports Village (for Cycling) are all stepping up to add new sessions to accommodate local demand.

These are inclusive clubs who will provide quality coaching to develop strong athletes with the potential to compete nationally.”

The development of the new Boccia club is being led by Beth Moulom, a GBR Lions Squad (GBR development squad) player and her mother Liz who is an international coach and referee, who are keen to set up a new competition standard club.

Badminton sessions have been requested by the Deaf community in a recent council Deaf and hard of hearing sports survey.

The new sessions are open to all ages and abilities with details as follows:

Jorvik Boccia Club: A new club for physically disabled people who want to play in competitions. Club sessions will continue fortnightly from March 22 at the same time in the same venue for £5 per session. For further information please contact Liz Moulam on 07742 886883 or email jorvikboccia@gmail.com 

Disability Bowling Session: Disabled residents are welcome to learn and play bowls, with sessions starting on today from 1pm to 3pm at York & District Indoor Bowls Club, Dringhouses. Cost is £3 per session. For more information contact Ian Clough on 01904 704180 or email ydibc@tiscali.co.uk

Deaf Badminton Club: Anyone who is Deaf or hard of hearing is welcome to learn and play Badminton with a GBR Deaf Badminton Coach. Sessions are launched on Thursday, March 19 from 8pm to 9.30pm at York Railway Institute and cost £20 for a 6 week block.

The new club is excited to welcome an ex Deaflympics badminton player, Andrea Hardwick, to its launch. For more information please contact Denis Cleary on 07831 504247 or email d54.h57@gmail.com

York Wheelchair Basketball Club: A new development session for players wanting to progress to competition standard is being introduced at the club. Everyone is welcome at the club sessions from 6.30pm to 8pm on Thursday evenings at Joseph Rowntree School.

For further information about this new pathway in the sport, either come along on to a session, email yorkwheelchairbasketballclub@gmail.com or call Jason White, the council's Disability Sport and Physical Activity Coordinator on 01904 552045.
 

More disability sports sessions will be starting in April, including various cycling opportunities.

For further information about opportunities in disability sport in York visit www.york.gov.uk/disabilitysport or call the Sport and Active Leisure team on 01904 553377.