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’.
May 15, 2020 | ActivLives, ActivSports
If you are missing your Boccia at the moment, then why not give this a go? It’s a ‘stay at home’ Boccia competition that is being run by Boccia England. You don’t need to use proper Boccia balls – use something else (maybe rolled up socks?). A great way to work on your target skills. Don’t forget to send to post your scores by each Friday. Good luck!
https://www.bocciaengland.org.uk/the-rainbow-cup
May 11, 2020 | ActivSports
Four Suffolk boccia players have been selected, as part of the Eastern Region team, to compete at the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games, which are to be held in Liverpool in August 2021.
Boccia, originally a Paralympic sport, is played whilst seated. As well as being part of the Paralympics, the sport is now also an integral feature of the Special Olympics competition programme.
Special Olympics sport is targeted at participants who have an intellectual (learning) disability. The SOGB National Summer Games is a multi-sport event held every four years. There will be over 2,000 athletes competing at the Games and all will benefit from the support of the 800 volunteers who will help to make it all happen.
Our local players will help to make up a 16-strong team from the Eastern Region, all of whom will compete in the Singles and Team Boccia events in Liverpool.
All of the selected athletes play regularly as part of the ‘Inclusive Boccia’ sessions held in Ipswich as part of the ActivLives Everyday Activ programme.
We look forward to the time when it is safe enough for all of our Special Olympics athletes to get back to preparing for the Games.
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
