Disability Sport Wales
The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (Disability Sport Wales) is recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government as its lead organisation for the development of sport and physical activities for disabled people.
Mission
"To contribute toward improving the health and sporting success of the Nation, by encouraging and facilitating more disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity, more regularly, and by supporting athletes/team to be successful of the international stage.
Vision
"To inspire and excite all stakeholders - to make sport attractive, acceptable, accessible and inclusive to everyone from grassroots to performance."
"For disabled people to want to participate, and for everyone who wants to participate in sport to be able to fulfil their potential, from disability sport participation to international excellence."
Objectives
Community
- To increase and sustain the number of clubs delivering opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport in Wales.
- To increase the membership base of clubs and volunteers delivering disablity sport.
- To increase the number of coaches and volunteers working in disability sport.
- To educate and support partners to deliver disability sport in a safe and appropriate setting.
- To provide, promote and increase the nuimber of participatory and competitive/event opportunties in Wales.
Academy
- To deliver a system that will ensure that academy athletes reach their full potential and achieve selection to UK teams.
Performance
- To support servivces and structures for elite Welsh athletes/teams, ensuring that they achieve success at UK/European level.
- To contribute toward the success of UK NGBs and British teams within the international sport competitive arena.
Education and Training
- To provide quality education and training opportunities to support the successful delivery of the community, academy and performance objectives.
SPORT WALES HAS DIRECTED NATIONAL LOTTERY BUDGET INTO A NATIONWIDE DISABILITY SPORT WALES COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
Officers based in every local authority are increasing participation across Wales. They deliver new and improved clubs; more quality coaches and volunteers and opportunities for local, regional and national competition, working closely with a National Performance Manager to identify world class talent.
THE ACADEMY IS DEVELOPING FUTURE PARALYMPIC STARS, OFFERING YOUNG ATHLETES A DIRECT PATHWAY TO THE TOP.
The Academy currently supports young athletes who have undergone a rigorous selection process. Support services include; individualised coaching and competition programme along with a support package tailored to fit their lifestyle and commitments, enabling them to graduate successfully to senior level. Sport Wales has comitted ongoing investment into this priority area.
Dan Lucker is wheelchair racer, currently on the World Class Development Programme. Lucker came through the Disability Sport Wales pathway, having been identified as a talented individual in a Wheelchair Sports Festival. From there he progressed onto the Academy programme.
Lucker says, "I was supported by Disability Sport Wales Academy - they provided me with access to the best coaching, facilities and support for me to develop into the athlete I aspire to be."
