BEST 8 - Bringing Everyone in Sport Together
What better way to launch a new Paralympic coaching event ‘BEST 8’ than to receive a special visit from Dame Tanni-Grey Thompson. After flying in from Beijing only a few days before, Tanni joined the Disability Sports Focus Group (DSFG) on Sunday 21 September at Chesterton Sports Centre, with the participants and the sports clubs, to celebrate the success of TEAM GB and the handover of the Paralympics from Beijing to London.
The Disability Sports Focus Group has developed BEST 8 with support from the Sports Development Services at South Cambs District Council and Cambridge City. The event was a great success and the experienced clubs and volunteers made the experience for all who attended a memorable one. BEST 8 will now develop with the build up to 2012 to provide regular coaching sessions throughout the year, challenging young people and adults with a physical disability or sensory impairment to get involved with sport.
Sports available on the day were Football, Martial Arts, Swimming, Boccia, Tennis, Athletics and Wheelchair Basketball with a special visit at lunchtime from members of Eastern Vipers Cricket Club who are all visually impaired. The event was provided free following partnership funding from Living Sport and the Disability Sports Focus Group will be looking for a sponsor for BEST 8 to help support future events leading up to 2012.
Following a morning of Wheelchair Basketball which was led by Bury Bombers from Bury St. Edmunds and Hereward Heat from Comberton, Tanni Grey-Thompson and her husband Ian, along with Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club, provided 2 hours of athletics coaching and the opportunity for everyone to try out a proper racing wheelchair.
Raising the profile of disability sport with be a key priority for the Disability Sports Focus Group over the next 4 years and the coverage of the BEST 8 event on Anglia News has already had an impact. The Sports Development Service are keen to hear from anybody who would like get involved in future BEST 8 events either as a participant, club or volunteer.
Please contact Bruce Lockie, Sports Development Officer, on 01223 457000 or bruce.lockie@cambridge.gov.uk
