A new inclusive sport partnership has been created to co-ordinate and develop high quality opportunities across the local area for disabled people wishing to play or coach sport.
The West of England Inclusive Sport Partnership (WISP) has been formed from the four West of England unitary authorities – Bath & North East Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, North Somerset Council and Access Sport (on behalf of Bristol City Council).
They will collaborate to raise the profile of inclusive sport and work with partners to promote and strengthen the work of existing providers in the region.
The decision to formally establish WISP comes as Sport England’s latest Active People Survey results show a decline in the last year in the number of disabled people who regularly take part in sport.
This has widened the gap between non-disabled and disabled people’s participation, indicating that less than half the number of disabled people take part in sport or physical activity for 30 minutes once a week compared to non-disabled people.
The new alliance has launched a dedicated inclusive sport website – ‘Sports Rush’.
The new resource has been created and designed in collaboration with London 2012 Paralympic medallist Ben Rushgrove to enable prospective players to find a local sports club, while clubs can promote their activities and events.
To visit the new website go to www.sportsrush.org.uk.
Councillor Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Joining together as WISP will give us a greater influence on the inclusive sport sector.
“The new website is a valuable platform to develop greater opportunities for disabled players to take up sport.
“It’s exciting to work with key partners and local sports providers and the new Council Administration is keen to prove that, by sharing our resources and expertise, we’ll increase the scope and profile of inclusive sport provision in our area.”
The partnership also plans to support an inclusive sport roadshow for the region following a successful first event at the University of Bath in April.
To find out more about how you can benefit from the new West of England Inclusive Sport Partnership contact Natalie Candy or Jade Hansford on 01225 396429 or via [email protected] / [email protected].
