Forum will boost profile of athletes

KEEN disabled sportsmen and women from across Waveney will be able to promote sports with the help of a new forum.The Active Waveney Disability Sports Forum, launched to mark the start of the 1,000 day countdown to the 2012 Paralympics in London, will raise the profile of disabled sports and allow different groups and partners to work together to increase participation.

KEEN disabled sportsmen and women from across Waveney will be able to promote sports with the help of a new forum.

The Active Waveney Disability Sports Forum, launched to mark the start of the 1,000 day countdown to the 2012 Paralympics in London, will raise the profile of disabled sports and allow different groups and partners to work together to increase participation.

Former Norwich City skipper and Lowestoft Town coach Craig Fleming, who launched the forum, said: 'My sport and my passion is football, but any sport should be available to people of any age and any ability.

'Through partnership working, the aim of this forum is to develop and sustain disability sport within the local community, and I wish it every success.'

John Pawsey, chairman of the Active Waveney Sports Partnership, said: 'Following the recent decision by the International Paralympic Committee to re-include athletes with a learning disability in the Paralympic Games, it is an exciting time to focus on these performers with disabilities.

'We have many high level performers with disabilities within our local community who have the potential to be selected for the 2012 Paralympic Games.'

Six pupils from the Ashley School in Lowestoft are among the local Paralympic hopefuls, as they are already part of the Mencap England squad and have competed at a national level.

For more information, email activewaveney@waveney.gov.uk.