Young stars prepare for Regional Athletics Championships
Over the next two months, talented athletes from local clubs and schools will be competing in Regional Athletics Championships across England. Many taking part have their hopes set on qualifying for Activity Alliance’s National Junior Championships in July.
Every year 1400 disabled athletes in total take part in this athletics programme.
Organised by local volunteers, the five regional events will see up to 200 athletes per region compete in a series of track and field events. The North West will kick off the regional series this Sunday (28 April) at the Manchester Regional Arena, followed by:
- North East on 1 May at Monkton Stadium
- East Midlands on 16 May at Saffron Lane Stadium
- South West on 22 May at Exeter Arena
- East on 16 June a Chelmsford Athletics Centre
The National Championships is the climax of the series, this year taking place on 6-7 July in the East Midlands. Many elite disabled athletes, who began their golden careers at the event, remember the Championships fondly. Paralympians Hannah Cockroft, Aled Davies and Hollie Arnold used the event as part of their development on their road to international podiums.
Activity Alliance’s events team organises the Championships. For over 30 years, the event has provided thousands of young disabled athletes with the opportunity to develop their talent and compete against others from across the country. They compete in a full track and field programme, which ensures there are disabled competitors with a wide range of impairments taking part.
Lions Club International has been involved with the event since it began. Their support through fundraising and volunteers is instrumental in delivering the national and regional events across England.
Jannine Walker, National Event Manager for Activity Alliance, says:
"Activity Alliance works to make active lives possible and an integral part of this is delivering events that ensure more disabled athletes have access to opportunities across England.
"Our regional athletics championships provide an inclusive and accessible competition to increase the number of active disabled people. Our thanks go to the Lions Club International for their ongoing dedication and generosity."
Activity Alliance brings members, partners and disabled people together to make active lives possible. Collectively, the charity continues to challenge perceptions and change the reality of disability, inclusion and sport.
