News
New weekly athletics sessions get off to a golden start in the Vale!
22 Jul 2008
Local athletes with disabilities are getting together to enjoy new athletics sessions in Barry, launched in conjunction with the Vale of Glamorgan Council's sports development team.
Barry & Vale Harriers welcomed fourteen new members at the first night of the new weekly training sessions at Jenner Park Stadium, and it is hoped that the sessions will continue to go from strength to strength.
The Vale Council's Disablity Sport Wales Officer Linda Ruston has teamed up with the Harriers to launch the initial ten-week introduction to athletics programme, which is open to everyone aged eight upwards. The sessions take place alongside those for non-disabled athletes and are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
The sessions are being led by experienced coach Shawn Sullivan and Disability Sports Wales volunteers Karen Coyle, Pete Pucella and Suzanne Wilcox.
Paralympian Nathan Stephens was also on hand at the launch session to pass on expert advice in the throwing events. The 19-year-old Bridgend athlete is a much-fancied contender for medals at the Beijing Paralympics this summer as he is currently ranked number two in the world in disabled discus, javelin and shot put.
Nathan delivered nearly an hour of top class coaching to the enthusiastic new members who were keen to try out their newly-learned skills. Everyone at the club would like to wish Nathan the best of luck in Beijing.
Chairman of the Barry & Vale Harriers Fred Malkin is delighted with the new sessions, while Lindsey Bridgeman, the Federation of Disability Sport Wales' national athletics officer, said: "The first session was a big success. I'm thrilled with the numbers that attended, and the fact that the club is inclusive, with opportunities for both disabled and non-disabled athletes. If only all clubs shared the same refreshing outlook."
For more information, or a registration form, please contact Linda Ruston on 01446 704728 / 07725446493, email lruston@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
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