Jan 15, 2021 | ActivLives, ActivSports
Inclusive Boccia and Badminton continue with ActivLives
Well, what a year 2020 has been! Although for much of the year sport has had to be put on hold as a result of Covid-19, some of our ActivLives groups have been able to continue to play sport in a Covid-19 compliant manner.
Despite the many restrictions that have been placed upon participating in sport and physical activity in recent months, ‘disability sport’ has had an exemption from these at various times throughout the year. Because of this, two sports that we have managed to continue with have been boccia and badminton.
“During the summer months we were able to play boccia and badminton outdoors in local parks in Ipswich, which was a great way of us getting our ‘Inclusive groups’ back to playing after the first lockdown ended in July”, said Mike McCarthy. “During the autumn we were able to play both sports indoors, apart from during the second lockdown period in November. Obviously, we had to ensure that we were meeting all of the UK Government Covid-19 Guidelines, as well as those of Boccia England and Badminton England. The response of the players, and their families, over the last few months has been absolutely brilliant. Everyone has adapted to the restrictions and guidelines that we have had to put into place in order to return to play safely – the positive attitude to returning from players, families and volunteers, has been great to see”.
Who knows what 2021 will bring? Whatever happens next, we do know that we have a lot of very committed participants who hope to get back to playing ‘inclusive sport’.
Apr 2, 2019 | ActivSports
Special Olympics Suffolk badminton players enjoyed a very successful trip to the West Midlands recently when they competed in the Special Olympics Regional Tournament held in Cannock, Staffordshire.
The Suffolk team, consisting of 12 local players, played with, and competed against, players from 10 other Special Olympics clubs from across the country from as far afield as Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Exeter, Wigan, Worcester and Shropshire. The Suffolk medal tally included 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze.
“Our team performed brilliantly”, said Mike McCarthy, Coach with Special Olympics Suffolk and ActivLives. “We are very proud of our players who all played up to, and in many cases beyond, their rankings. In addition to being very competitive, our players show a great attitude of support for each other and sportsmanship towards their opponents. They really are a privilege to work with”.
Special Olympics is sport for athletes with learning disabilities, and is relatively new to Suffolk, having only been established in our county as recently as 2014.
In addition to badminton, Special Olympics Suffolk also competes in athletics and gymnastics and is planning to add boccia and football to the list before the end of this year.
If you would like to find out more about Special Olympics opportunities in Suffolk, information can be found on the website at www.specialolympicssuffolk.org, by emailing mike@activlives.org.uk or by telephoning on 01473 345350
Oct 22, 2018 | ActivSports
The ‘Everyday Activ Ipswich’ initiative, run by ActivLives and supported by Ipswich Borough Council, is aimed at getting more of us active and it seems to be working!
Kurling is just one of the many inclusive sports activities on the ‘Everyday Activ’ programme!
“We already have a variety of activities on our weekly programme including walking football, boccia, new age kurling, ping pong, badminton and yoga”, said Mike McCarthy, from ActivLives. “The sessions are very sociable and great fun, that’s the whole point really, it’s the social element that keeps people coming back! Most, although not all, of the participants on the programme are over the age of 55, some are into their 70’s and 80’s. It really is brilliant to see.”
The new sessions, which will all be starting in November in Ipswich, include a new kurling group, an additional yoga class for beginners and an exercise class with a difference.
If you would like to find out more about the ‘Everyday Activ’ programme and how you can get involved, please contact ActivLives on 01473 345350, email mike@activlives.org.uk or visit the website at www.activlives.org.uk
Oct 12, 2018 | ActivSports
The 40 participants competed in a variety of adapted sports including kurling, boccia, badminton, short-mat bowls, petanque, short tennis and table tennis. “By ‘adapted sports’ we mean sports, or versions of sports, that have been changed to make them more accessible to a wider range of people”, explained Mike McCarthy, Everyday Activ-Ipswich Project Manager. “The ActivLives ‘Everyday Activ’ programme, is all about making it possible for more people to get involved in sport and physical activity, even those who think that sport isn’t for them.”
“The Games have been a great success, with a lovely atmosphere created by the participants, who really got into the spirit of things.”
ActivLives would like to thank all of the participants and particularly the great volunteers who helped to make this event happen.
The Everyday Activ-Ipswich initiative is an ActivLives programme which is a partnership with Ipswich Borough Council. New sessions are about to be added to the autumn programme including kurling, yoga and low impact exercise and games.
If you would like to find out more about the Everyday Activ sessions and how to get involved, please contact ActivLives on 01473 345350 or email at mike@activlives.org.uk
May 8, 2018 | ActivSports
The Special Olympics Eastern Region Badminton Tournament, which is being organised by Special Olympics Suffolk with the support of ActivLives and the Suffolk County Council ‘Most Active County’ initiative, will be held in Ipswich on Saturday 12th May.
“Special Olympics is sport for athletes with an intellectual disability and is the third element of the Olympic movement together with the
Paralympics and of course the Olympics themselves”, said Terry
McEntee, Chairman of Special Olympics Suffolk.
“This tournament will provide a great opportunity for our players in
Suffolk to compete against Special Olympians from across the country”, said Mike McCarthy from ActivLives and Special Olympics Suffolk.
The tournament, which will be a doubles competition, will serve as one of the last opportunities for selected players to prepare for the Special Olympics GB Anniversary Games which are being held in Stirling, Scotland this August.
The forthcoming competition in Ipswich will be restricted to players who are registered with Special Olympics GB, “We would love to get more
Special Olympic badminton players involved across our county”, said
Mike.
If you would like to find out more about how you can play badminton with Special Olympics Suffolk, please contact Mike McCarthy on 01473
345350 or email mike@activlives.org.uk
