5 Star Disability Sports Challenge

 

With the excitement brewing in the build up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Disability Sports NI has teamed up with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department of Education to run an innovative education and awareness project aimed at local primary school children.

 

 

 

 

The aim of the project 'The 5 Star Disability Sports Challenge' is to contribute to the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by increasing children's awareness and understanding of disability and to inspire more children to become active.

 

 

 

Michael McKillop, Dame Mary Peters and Lord Seb Coe visit Dundonald Primary

School to mark the 40th School to take part in the 5 Star Disability Sports Challenge.

 

Funded by the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure and supported by the Department of Education, the project will run in primary schools until 2013 and has been granted the prestigious Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

 

 

 

The project is delivered at the school in one morning and is two-fold:

 

 

 

PART 1:

 

 

 

 

 

PRESENTATION     Firstly a 30 minute awareness raising presentation is delivered to all pupils Primary 1-7 by two presenters, at least one of whom will be an elite athlete with a disability.   The presentation is designed to be both educational and fun and includes video clips, a quiz and interactive exercises.

Photo Credit:  Michael Cullen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 PART 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRACTICAL SESSIONS     The second part of the day involves children in Primary 5-7 being given the opportunity to complete a circuit of 5 sports challenges, each based on a Paralympic sport.  Each sport challenge is designed to give children a better understanding of disability sport and the abilities of people with disabilities, and are 'challenging but achievable' to ensure that all children have a positive and enjoyable experience.   For practical reasons a maximum of 3 classes are able to participate in this element of the programme.  Each child who takes part in the challenges will receive a certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  New Age Kurling
 
 
  Boccia
 
 
  Goalball
 
 
  Wheelchair Basketball
 
 
  Wheelchair Racing
 
 
 
 
 

The project was launched in March 2009 by former Sports Minister Gregory Campbell and International Footballer David Healy and since then has proven a huge success in Primary Schools throughout Northern Ireland.

 

"I thought this was a brilliant insight into what it was like to be disabled. I felt that it was the best way to demonstrate this to a child." St John the Baptist Primary School, Belleek

 

 

"All the children learned about disabilities, and that sport is for everyone. Thanks!" St John's Primary School, Coleraine

 

 

"This is a great inclusive learning experience for children. Please visit us again." Termoncanice Primary School, Limavady

 

 

"Even better than we thought - a super, enjoyable and enriching experience...Every school should avail of this opportunity - a great way to include aspects of diversity in a fun way."  Dunmullan Primary School, Omagh

 

 

If you would like more information about the '5 Star Disability Sports Challenge' or to register your school for the project please contact:

 

 

 

Disability Sports NI

Adelaide House

Falcon Road

Belfast

BT12 6SJ

 

Tel: 028 9038 7062

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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