Bedfordshire CAAD
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A group of 40 children, aged 11-14, travelled from
all over Bedfordshire to attend the County Athlete Assessment Day
on Friday 11th June. Organised by the Bedford Borough
Council Sports Development Unit and supported by Team Beds and
Luton.
The event is a national initiative to provide an
opportunity for young people with disabilities to be assessed by
representatives of 4 National Governing Bodies to determine if they
have the potential to progress within that Sport, and along its
Paralympics or impairment-appropriate pathway.
Athletics, Football, Table Tennis and Wheelchair
Basketball were the four sports that participated in this County
wide assessment day. The feedback from the coaches was very
positive.
‘All the children worked really hard and we were
really impressed with their level of skills and hand eye
coordination. We have advised a number children to join county
teams and we hope everyone continues to play the sport.’
Coach
Schools from across the County participated in
building steps on a pathway to support the progression from PE to
community sport to high-level performance and competition of young
people with disabilities.
‘Everything was very well organised. The
feedback from the Luton Schools was all very positive and most
importantly of all, the children all enjoyed themselves.’
School
After the sport had finished Danny Crates, ex 800m
World Record Holder and 800m Paralympic World Cup Winner, gave an
inspirational speech about his experience of sport and the
Paralympics. Then did a short question and answer session joined by
the world class, legendry Kenyan Athletes Wilfred Bungie, Benjamin
Limo, Catherine Ndereba, Duncan Kibet and Sammy Wanjiru.
‘The whole day was a great success and all of
the children involved have achieved so much, many of the children
have never tried some of the sports involved in the event but have
put their all into everything that we have asked of them. I think
that this event is very important to help The English Federation of
Disability Sport to not only inspire more young people with
disabilities to participate and excel in sport, but also increase
awareness of sports across the county.’ Amy Rance Sports
Development Unit.
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June 2009
CAADC refers to the County Athlete Assessment and
Development Centres.
'Playground to Podium' is a dedicated initiative designed to
identify and nurture young people with disabilities with the
potential to be elite athletes and performers.
Within mainstream and special schools, School Sports
Co-ordinaters will work with Physical Education professionals to
identify young disabled people who show the shoots of sporting
potential. All disabled children and young people are eligible to
be considered for entry into the Playground to Podium pathway, not
just those with impairments that are covered by the
Paralympics.
Those that have been identified as having sporting potential
will be referred to County Athlete Assessment and Development
Centre (CAADCs), which will be held once per academic year, in each
County Sports Partnership (CSP) area. The aim of the assessment and
development centres is to provide an opportunity for
representatives from the participating National Governing Bodies
(NGBs) to assess the young people as to whether they have the
potential to further progress within that sport and along its
Paralympic pathway.
Each CAADC will cater for young disabled people of varying
impairments and support levels. Each young person attending the
CAADC will have the opportunity to partake in sports specific tests
assessed by the participating NGBs. In Bedfordshire the young
people will be trying Table Tennis, Football, Wheelchair Basketball
and Athletics.
The Bedfordshire CAADC will be holding their event based at
Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Wednesday 17th
June.
Young people will be selected for the Bedfordshire CAADC via
their School Sports Partnerships.
For more information regarding 'Playground to Podium' or CAADCs
please phone 01234 221753.
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