Campaign seeks to find next generation of disabled sports stars

Sports Minister Nelson McCausland today launched a campaign which aims to identify the next generation of talented young disabled sports people.

The ‘Be Active Be the Best’ Talent ID Programme has been designed to make disabled young people attending mainstream post primary schools more aware of the sports opportunities available and to identify and ‘channel’ the most talented young people into national squads. The programme has been developed by Disability Sports NI and funded by Sport Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the Parliament Buildings launch, Minister McCausland said: "The vision of the Northern Ireland Sports Strategy ‘Sport Matters’, is that we create a culture of lifelong enjoyment and success in sport.

"I want to see everyone, including people with a disability, to be part of this vision, to contribute to it and to benefit from it. There is so much to be gained from taking part in sport in terms of health, well-being and enjoyment of life.

"It is for this reason that I strongly welcome this new programme, which I am confident will help identify the next generation of talented young disabled sports people in the build up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games."

The launch of the programme, which will includes a poster campaign featuring inspirational images of local disabled sports people, has been organised to coincide with the milestone of ‘Two Years to Go’ to the end of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

As the programme was inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Disability Sports NI has achieved the London 2012 ‘Inspire Mark for the project. The ‘Inspire Mark’ is the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the London 2012 Games.

The Minister continued: "Through Disability Sports NI achieving the Inspire Mark for the ‘Be Active Be the Best’ Talent ID Programme, it will help contribute to Northern Ireland’s legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games."

The event was also attended by Chris Holmes MBE, Director of Paralympic Integration for the 2012 Olympics and Paralymics as part of a day’s visit to Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the event Chris said: "With just under two years to go until the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, I have really been inspired by all the activity happening in Northern Ireland, such as the Talent ID Programme. As a former athlete, I know how important it is to promote grassroots disability sport and this level of support will make a great difference both to aspiring athletes and to young disabled people looking to take part in sport. Our vision is to use the power of the Games to inspire lasting change and my visit to Northern Ireland today confirmed that we are well on our way to achieving this."

Notes to editors:

1. The purpose of the ‘Be Active Be the Best’ Talent ID Programme, is to make disabled young people attending mainstream post primary schools more aware of the sports opportunities available and to identify and ‘channel’ the most talented young people into national squads.
2. The central part of the Programme will be a poster campaign featuring inspirational images of local disabled athletes which will be sent to every post primary school in Northern Ireland. This will be supported by a media campaign targeted at local newspapers and the organisation of a ‘Talented Athlete Assessment Day’.
3. The Programme was inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Disability Sports NI has achieved the London 2012 ‘Inspire Mark’ for the project.
4. 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
5. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.