East prepares for Typhoo regional athletics event
Hundreds of local athletes are preparing for another Typhoo sponsored athletics event. The Typhoo East Regional Disability Athletics is being held on Saturday 9 May at Chelmsford Sports and Athetics Centre, Chelmsford in Essex.
The East is one of the many regions across England that will be using their Typhoo event as a qualifier for the renowned National Championships – participants have already enjoyed opportunities in Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Leicester.
The regional events aim to increase the number of disabled people in athletics. The Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championships take place in Warwick on 27-28 June.
One athlete aiming for Warwick this year is Sean. He competes for the East team as a seated discus thrower and wheelchair racer. His first taste of success was at his first National Championships last year and is now a committed member of Stevenage and North Hertfordshire Athletics Club.
Sean is a regular at his local gym and has started to take up officiating roles. Once a boccia player for his school, he was drawn in to athletics after hearing about the Nationals. He said:
“From the first time I started at the track, everyone talked about the Nationals. Everyone aims for them. This is the ultimate opportunity for personal bests, medals and to represent my club. I can be on my own in my discipline, but last year when we all got together as a team to watch the races, I have never felt such a high level of adrenalin. My biggest goal is to get to The Nationals again this year.”
Typhoo and the national charity the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) have teamed up to ensure more disabled athletes have access to participation opportunities across England. It is the third time Typhoo has backed the charity’s work after sponsoring the Typhoo Sports for All project in 2009 and 2010. This year, the tea company is partnering with EFDS’s Disability Sport Events programme.
In 2015, the renowned National Junior Athletics Championships and nine regional qualifiers aim to increase the number of active disabled people.
Somnath Saha CEO of Typhoo Ltd, said:
“Typhoo are delighted to renew our partnership with EFDS to help disabled people access sport as part of our ongoing Sports for All programme.”
Barry Horne, Chief Executive for EFDS, added:
“We’re delighted to welcome back Typhoo to partner a much-loved programme. The number of people involved in this athletics programme, both competitors and volunteers, is testament to the hard work that takes place every year. Typhoo’s support is extremely valuable and will ensure more disabled people use this opportunity to be active for life.”
For over 25 years, the National Junior Athletics Championships has provided thousands of young disabled athletes with the opportunity to develop their talent and compete against others from across the country.
Many elite disabled athletes began their golden careers at the national event. Paralympians Hannah Cockroft, Shelly Woods, Aled Davies and Hollie Arnold were once junior participants who moved up the ranks to become world-class athletes.
Regional events are delivered by teams of dedicated volunteers, who drive the athletes’ ambition to qualify at the Nationals. This makes them highly competitive for the team trophy at the national event.
Competition begins at 10am at the Chelmsford Sports and Athetics Centre, CM1 2EH.
