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Third Sports Fest concludes in Worcester

The third ParalympicsGB Sports Fest concluded today (Monday November 25, 2013), with attendees including families, school groups and students  through the doors across the two-day event to 'Meet the Medallists, Try the Sports, Get Inspired'.

22 Paralympic summer and winter sports were on offer to the 400 attendees as well as the chance to meet numerous GB athletes.

Amongst the Paralympic athletes in attendance over the course of the two days were Paralympic gold medallist in Athletics Josie Pearson, her teammate and London 2012 Paralympic silver medallist Dan Greaves and Paralympic silver medallist in Archery Mel Clarke.

They were joined by World Champion in Archery Richard Hennahane, 2011 and 2012 World Champion in Para-triathlon Steve Judge, Wheelchair Tennis player Louise Hunt, Wheelchair Rugby player Mandip Sehmi,  and GB Sledge Hockey players Nathan Stephens, Gary Farmer, Karl Nicholson and Matt Coleman.

Event ambassador Josie Pearson said:

"I've had a great day at Sports Fest and it's been fantastic to represent Athletics alongside so many different Paralympic sports. This event is a brilliant way to find out more about disability sport in general, whether you want to explore your competitive side or just find a new sport to take part in recreationally. I'd definitely recommend it to people who want to get more involved in sport but don't know quite where to begin."

Fellow ambassador and Paralympic silver medallist Mel Clarke said:

"It's been fantastic to be a part of Sports Fest. When I came out of my rehab, there wasn't anything like this and it's really helpful because it really shows people what is out there for them. We've seen people this weekend who are quite newly injured and it's been great to watch them having a go and throw themselves into it all, and we've had a lot of parents who have been able to see sports opportunities that they might not have thought possible before coming here. There's been so many smiley faces over the past few days, it's been lovely."

Penny Briscoe, Director of Sport at the BPA, said:

"The University of Worcester has been a fantastic host to our third Sports Fest event. Across the two days hundreds of disabled people and their supporters have tried a variety of Paralympic sports and had the opportunity to meet some of the London medallists. The smiles say it all; a fun day out with many people connecting with sport for the first time or trying new activities. As Director of Sport it is fantastic to see this event so well supported by the national governing bodies and the English Federation for Disability Sport, I am sure that this will have been a positive experience all round."

University of Worcester Arena Co-ordinator, April White, said: "We were delighted to welcome the BPA and some of our Paralympic heroes to the University Arena.

"A key aim of the University Arena is to make sport inclusive for all, and ensure that, whatever their level of ability, people are given the opportunities to pursue sport. It was fantastic to see so many people take up the opportunity to try out different sports, meet successful Paralympic athletes and hopefully become inspired to take up sport themselves."

The event is part of a series of disability sports festivals hosted by the British Paralympic Association alongside the National Governing Bodies.  The previous two events took place in Guildford and Sheffield.

Media Enquiries

Please direct media enquiries to Jane Jones, BPA Director of Marketing and Communications, or Tash Carpenter, BPA Communications Manager, via the Press Office email press@paralympics.org.uk or the duty press office phone 07717 587 055.