News Articles

Success of Inclusive Taster Days in Northamptonshire

Thursday 20th December 2007

Throughout the year, IFI accredited facilities across Northamptonshire have been organising taster days to showcase their inclusive facilities, providing an opportunity for disabled people to sample a variety of sports and to access IFI accredited fitness equipment.

Danes Camp Leisure Centre in Northampton and Brackley and Towcester Leisure Centres in South Northamptonshire held successful taster days at the beginning of the year attracting over 80 disabled people across the two events. Brackley and Towcester Leisure Centres used the success of the day and the support of Northamptonshire Sport to develop a monthly inclusive multi sports club which includes the opportunity for disabled people to participate in a number of sports activities, use of the gym and swimming pool.

Redwell Leisure Centre in Wellingborough has just held an inclusive taster day to coincide with National Disability Day on 3rd December, the facility reported that the day was a massive success and attracted over 60 disabled people, including engagement with one of the local schools. Following on from this event, Redwell are keen to launch an inclusive sports club after securing Sport England Lottery Funding, this will hopefully start in February 2008 and will be trialled for 3 months.

In addition to this, Jay Popat, Sports Equity Manager for Northamptonshire Sport who has played a significant role in supporting IFI Sites with taster sessions is confident that Redwell Leisure Centre will become the new hub club for Boccia within the county.

The New Year will bring yet another Inclusive Taster Day for the county of Northamptonshire. Pemberton Leisure Centre in Rushden, East Northamptonshire is hosting an inclusive taster day on Saturday 9th February 2008 , 10am - 3pm. This event has been developed by Cultural Community Partnerships in association with the Inclusive Fitness Initiative and Northamptonshire Sport and will provide the opportunity for disabled people to try a variety of different sports including Archery, Boccia, Table Tennis, Trampolining as well as the chance to sample the IFI accredited equipment in the Aspirations Gym. The event will not only allow for sports to be sampled but also an opportunity to find out more information about the Inclusive Fitness Initiative and Northamptonshire Sport with representatives from both organisations to be present on the day.

If you are a disabled person, carer or a disability group and would like to find out more information about the Inclusive Taster Day at The Pemberton Centre, Rushden please contact:

Jackie Ackroyd 01933 655406 (Text phone users add prefix 18001)

If you would like to contact any of the featured facilities in this article or would like to find your nearest IFI facility please click on Find Local Site at the top of this page.

Click here to return to news articles.