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Let's Play: Don't miss out!

It has been a whistle stop tour of the UK for the Let's Play programme. Six events in seventy days so far, Let’s Play! first began in Manchester on Wednesday 25 March. Now halfway through, the organisers do not want disabled people across the country to miss out. They are calling for participants to come along to the upcoming events, try sports and let's play!

Over 90 disabled people so far have experienced this new idea in local multi-sports event. Each of which offers the opportunity to try new activities and meet new friends in a welcoming environment, where the support goes beyond the action in the sports hall.

Funded by £148,140 of National Lottery funding from Sport England, Let’s Play! forms part of a larger programme that aims to rectify the disparity between the number of disabled and non-disabled people participating in sport.

With a total of 12 one-day events spread out across each of the country’s 12 regions, the Let’s Play! Programme is spearheaded by British Wheelchair Basketball. It's in partnership with Boccia England, GB Wheelchair Rugby, Goalball UK, The Wheelchair Football Association and the Tennis Foundation – offering participants a wealth of expertise.

The programme has soared into action and the first six unmissable events having already taken place in Manchester, Kent, Birmingham, Leeds and Gloucester. Tyne and Wear takes place on Monday 8 June. With local clubs also in attendance, these free events continue to not only offer participants the chance to learn the basics of the activities and experience a game, but also to build a connection with their nearby sporting activities.

Fiona, who attended the Let’s Play! event in Gloucester, said:

“I enjoyed finding out about other opportunities available to me within my local area, which I didn’t know existed before! I will definitely be trying the activities again. I had an informative, fantastic and amazing day.”

Let’s Play! participant Steven said:

“I was influenced to come [to my local] event as I wanted to get active again and experience something new. I wasn’t expecting to try Wheelchair Rugby but I will be going to my local club to try the activity again.”

Volunteering opportunities

In addition to those trying the activities, the Let’s Play! events also offer the local communities opportunities to join in and gain experience as volunteers.

Let’s Play! volunteer Kellie said:

“The atmosphere was very positive. I enjoyed being part of all the activities and learning more about them, getting different people involved. I would like to volunteer again and [through the event] have been able to find out more about the volunteering opportunities available to me.”

With upcoming events in Suffolk, Worcester, London, Hull, Cheshire and Lincolnshire, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in these exciting one-day multi-sports events. If you have never tried the activities before, this is the perfect event to attend.

Tyne and Wear

  • 08/06/15 at The Parks Leisure Centre, North Shields, NE29 6TL
  • 1pm – 5pm
  • All sports

Suffolk

  • 13/06/15 at Suffolk One, Scrivener Drive, Ipswich, IP8 3SU
  • 11am – 3pm
  • Boccia, Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and Powerchair Football

Worcester

  • 18/06/15 at the University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, WR2 5JN
  • 10.30am – 3.30pm
  • All sports

London

  • 08/07/15
  • Sportsdock, University of East London, E16 2RD
  • 11am – 3pm
  • All sports

Hull

  • 22/07/15
  • Woodford Leisure Centre, Kingston upon Hull, HU8 8JU
  • 11am – 3pm
  • Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball, Goalball, Wheelchair rugby and Powerchair Football

Cheshire

  • 25/07/15
  • Birchwood Leisure and tennis complex, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 7PQ
  • 11am – 3pm
  • All sports

To find out more about how you can get involved with your local Let’s Play! events, please visit the website www.letsplay-it.co.uk or contact play@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk. Call 01509 279900.