Case-Study-Sports-2015

Case Study Sport and activity in Hertsmere

The council supports many different sports, through grant funding and the support of the council’s Community Sports Officer, which are accessible to people regardless of their ability.

This case study will highlight some of the work that is done with different clubs and schools who support disabled people to play sport.

With funding from Sport England, a satellite club was set up at Bushey Meads School. This club works with able and disabled bouts and girls from years 7 – 11. Coaches from Watford Harriers Athletics Club engaged the students with sessions tailored to their requests. Sessions take place weekly for 90 minutes. Sporting champion Abi Oyepitan visited the club twice, delivering a motivational speech and coaching the young people which proved inspiring especially for the girls.

Working with the Watford Harriers improved the standard of athletics across the school and, as a result, the school finished 6th overall in the district athletics competition.

Young people are becoming more concerned with their wellbeing and shift towards fitness activities is happening earlier (Sport England Youth Insight). 60% of the participants are female and 10% of participants have a disability. All sessions are inclusive regardless of ability and the club waived the entry fee for students to encourage first time participation. This satellite club has been so successful that it was recognised with an award as Eastern Region club of the year.

Potters Bar Additional Needs Tennis Group

Potters Bar Additional Needs Tennis Group has received community grants which has allowed them to develop and expand their tennis coaching sessions to all types of disabled people in the community. They are delivering tennis coaching sessions to the following groups:

Visually impaired Hearing impaired Behavioural problem youths from a local school Severely disabled groups with both mental and physical problems Special needs schools

The participants are aged between 3-81 years old and come from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. Feedback from the participants is very encouraging as it gives them a feeling of inclusion in sport and normal activity and increases their self-esteem. King George recreation ground

We have installed a 'Wheelspin' roundabout from Inclusive Play and by having ground level access, the Wheelspin is accessible for wheelchairs and also accommodates several children, enabling inclusion and social integration. Children can choose to sit, stand or push it round and the large surface area enables lots of children to play together.

Also installed is the Orb Rocker, a four way seating springer seesaw which makes a chime sound, increasing the play value and sensory experience. Children who need more support have large hand grips to hold on to. The jingles heighten the sense of hearing and there is also vestibular stimulation from movement which is key to brain development.

The springy Mezzo allows children to peer inside and watch the coloured balls move around. This is appealing for children who may have limited mobility but can control the movement of the balls.

Learning through the arts