Testimonials from our partners on how Parasport has helped to increase particpation in disability sport
Deloitte Parasport, the web-based programme run jointly by the BPA and Deloitte, celebrated its 5th birthday on 15th March 2012 and is credited with helping to discover some of the athletes aiming for selection for ParalympicsGB at London 2012. The programme aims to become the first point of call for those inspired to get involved in sport by the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The site (www.parasport.org.uk) acts like the Yellow Pages for disability sport; helping people to discover what sports are suitable for them and signposting them to high quality disability sports clubs in their area. It has videos and information on each sport and case studies of people who have got involved with sport as a result, to show what can be achieved.
Since Deloitte Parasport was launched in 2007, nearly 2000 clubs have registered across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with the site receiving over 22 million hits. On average, almost 50% of all visits to the website result in use of the search function to find out more about local sporting opportunities. To date, 158 embeddable widgets, which allow external websites to use Parasport features such as the find a club facility on their own website, have been downloaded from Deloitte Parasport. These are currently being used by a range of National Governing Bodies, County Sports Partnerships, Local Authorities, Charities, Sports Agencies and LOCOG.
Parasport has helped to develop the pathway that disabled people have, not only to start in sport but also potentially achieve success at the highest level. Athletes including Sam Scowan, currently training with the GB Rowing Team and Will Ramsey, training with the Wheelchair Basketball development squad, both found their sport through the site and both are now in contention to compete in future Paralympic Games.
During the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Deloitte Parasport will be the tool that the BPA will use to direct disabled people inspired by the Games to get started in sport. All of the Paralympic sports that will feature at London 2012 are registered on the site, alongside the winter sports that will be represented at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games.
Below are testimonials from just a small selection of the excellent partners we have been fortunate to work with.
Alison Oliver, Director of Sport at the Youth Sport Trust
“The Youth Sport Trust is committed to increasing the sporting opportunities available to young people with special needs and disabilities and we have enjoyed a successful working relationship with Parasport. We wish them continued success inspiring young people in disability sport and helping those with a talent to progress.”
Paul West, British Cycling Paracycling Officer
We just would like to state that the great service which we receive from Parasport results in at least one enquiry a week from individuals who are interested in taking up Paracycling either as a sport or general activity. As a result of these enquiries, the huge majority of those contacting us through Parasport have found a future within cycling.
Will Parker, Inclusion Lead - Active Gloucestershire
We have worked very closely with Parasport for the last five years. We have a very strong partnership and it has been an invaluable in supporting our provision throughout Gloucestershire. It is through this partnership that dozens of disabled young people in Gloucestershire have progressed to performance pathways, perhaps more importantly though hundreds of disabled young people have had life enriching experiences that will hopefully lead to lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.
Kirsten Bodley, CEO of STEMNET
Parasport’s dedication to the disabled community is only matched by their commitment to promote equal opportunity and disability awareness across the country. We were grateful to have their support for the recent STEM Challenge 8 competition and it was clear from the outset the large impact their work had on the students across the country. Parasport should be commended for their hard work, inspiring disabled people through their grassroots campaigns, and I look forward to growing our partnership well into the future.
