Five Star Disability Sports Challenge - Campbell and Healy

Calling all primary five to seven school children! Can you push 100m in a racing wheelchair in 60 seconds?

This was one of five sporting challenges issued today by Sports Minister, Gregory Campbell and international footballer, David Healy to primary school children across Northern Ireland.

The Five Star Disability Sports Challenge which includes wheelchair racing, wheelchair basketball, boccia, kurling and goalball was jointly launched at W5 by the minister and David. It is part of an innovative education and awareness project, led by Disability Sports NI, aimed at school children of all abilities.

The minister said: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are just over three years away and with excitement growing, I want to see more disabled and non-disabled children within mainstream primary schools become more active in sport. This is one of the main aims of the new sports strategy, ‘Sport Matters’, which I will be launching shortly. There is so much to be gained from taking part in sport in terms of health, well-being and enjoyment of life.”

David Healy said: “It is great to be involved in this new and exciting project. It will give the children the opportunity to meet athletes with a disability and understand the challenges they face, and also encourage them to become more active in sport. With the focus now on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games lots more people are going to get interested in sport and that is the legacy the games will leave for future generations.”

Angela Hendra, Chair of Disability Sports NI (DSNI) said:” We are simply delighted with the Five Star Challenge Education Project. We know it will showcase Disability Sport in a very positive way, challenge negative attitudes and will inspire both disabled and non-disabled children to participate and excel in sport.”

Over the life of the project, DSNI aims to involve at least 65 schools in Northern Ireland and have 13,650 children participate in the programme by March 2013. Each child who takes part in the challenge will receive a ‘Five Star Disability Sports Challenge’ certificate.

The minister continued: “I am extremely proud to announce that Disability Sports Northern Ireland has been awarded the second Inspire Mark in Northern Ireland for the Five Star Disability Sports Challenge which will contribute to the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Today, children from Hazelwood Integrated Primary School demonstrated their sporting abilities in the five challenges and were the first to be presented with certificates by David and the minister.

Earlier in the day the minister had chaired the third meeting of the Northern Ireland 2012 Leadership Group of which David is a member.

Notes to Editors:

1. The purpose of the Five Star Disability Sports Challenge project is; to increase children’s awareness and understanding of disability sport and the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games; to positively address and challenge commonly held negative attitudes and misconceptions about people with disabilities; to help increase

hildren’s understanding of the diversity of our community; and to inspire and encourage more disabled and non disabled young people to become more active in sport.

2. All pupils in participating schools will receive a 40 minute presentation on disability sport and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games delivered by two people at least one of whom will be a successful disabled athlete (e.g. a paralympic athlete or other elite sportsperson with a disability).

3. Primary five-seven children will be given the opportunity to complete a circuit of five fun based sports activities including:

• Wheelchair Racing: ush 100m in a racing chair in 60 seconds (on static rollers).
• Wheelchair Basketball: score three ‘baskets’ in 60 seconds using a sports wheelchair.
• Boccia: throw three boccia balls into a target hoop.
• Kurling: push three kurling stones on to a kurling target mat.
• Goalball: throw a goalball (jingle ball) into a net when wearing eye shades.

4. For more information on the Five Star Disability Sports Challenge please log on to www.dsni.org.uk

5. The Inspire Mark is awarded to projects genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

6. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office. Tel 028: 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk

7. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.