England Athletics launch club equipment fund with WheelPower
England Athletics and WheelPower are delighted to announce the launch of an equipment funding pilot focussed on increasing the number of people participating in wheelchair racing and seated throws.
The pilot will see five clubs receive either racing wheelchairs or seated throwing frames alongside support in making the sessions sustainable. Boston and District and Kingston-Upon-Hull athletics clubs were successful in the first phase of the pilot and will receive a loan of wheelchair racing start-up equipment including two racing chairs, helmets and gloves.
WheelPower is the national charity for wheelchair sport and provides opportunities, facilities, expertise and equipment to support disabled people with disabilities to participate in sport and lead healthy active lives.
England Athletics National Disability Manager, Liz Purbrick said:
‘We’re really excited to be working with WheelPower to provide these clubs with this equipment. Clubs are often keen to offer coaching for wheelchair racing but don’t have access to the equipment to get new participants started.
'This project will provide the two clubs with the equipment to get their groups up and running before the equipment can be moved on and loaned to another club to do the same. It’s great to see Boston and District and Kingston-Upon-Hull athletics clubs being so proactive in attracting and supporting more disabled people to their clubs.’
WheelPower National Sports Director, Steve Snelling commented on the partnership:
‘WheelPower are keen to support as many people to be as active as possible and find a sport that they are passionate about. Working with England Athletics and their network of clubs will ensure effective use of the charities funding to enable more people to access sports equipment that can often be a barrier to getting started.
'We are pleased that Boston District and Kingston-Upon-Hull athletics clubs have embraced inclusion and WheelPower will provide ongoing support maximise the number of people accessing this new provision.’
Kingston-Upon-Hull AC and Boston and District AC will now join the list of England Athletics Wheelchair Racing Start-Up groups where new athletes can try wheelchair racing, borrow equipment and get started in the sport.
For more information on wheelchair racing start up groups visit ADD LINK
