New disability sport festival praised

A new festival showcasing the range of sports available in Pembrokeshire for children and adults with disabilities has been hailed a great success.

The Disability insport Festival recently took place at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre, organised Snowdrop Independent Living, Disability Sport Wales (DSW) and Pembrokeshire County Council. It was sponsored by Snowdrop Independent Living.

As well as many local visitors, it attracted several high-profile sportspeople, including Roy Carter, the current GB 25m pistol shooter, Jack Thomas, swimming bronze medallist at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and Welsh rugby stars Ken Owens, Dafydd Jones and Dan Lydiate – plus MP Stephen Crabb.

Paralympian Nathan Stevens – the new DSW talent officer – was also on hand to advise people on what sports would be most suited to them.

Local clubs attending included Pembrokeshire Puffins swimming, Crymych Panthers Boccia, Pembrokeshire Harriers athletics, Pembrokeshire Hurricanes wheelchair basketball, Modern Print inclusive target shooting, Haverfordwest gymnastics, Tenderfoots and Pembrokeshire Disabled bowls, and Strength Academy Wales power lifting.

There were also sessions with Bike Mobility and in Pembrokeshire Leisure’s fitness suite – plus the chance to try wheelchair rugby with the Ospreys, which proved very popular.

Jon Morgan, DSW Executive Director, praised the day, saying: “A very good event, well attended and supported by local and regional clubs. It had a really good feel and I have no doubt that everyone who attended came away very pleased.”

Jon added that he had been delighted to welcome Stephen Crabb, who said:  “I had a brilliant morning at the Disability insport festival and enjoyed having a go at wheelchair basketball and target shooting. I hope it becomes an annual event.”

The festival was the idea of Peter O’Shea of Snowdrop Independent Living after attending a DSW Disability Sport Spectacular in Cardiff.

The event was planned in partnership with Nathan Stevens from DSW, Pembrokeshire Leisure and Sport Pembrokeshire (both departments of Pembrokeshire County Council).

Angela Miles, disability sport officer for Pembrokeshire County Council, said she was delighted that so many people attended, adding that champion pistol shooter Roy Carter had only heard of the event a few days prior to travelling from London.

“I hope that many of the visitors will go on to join some of the clubs that were in attendance,” she said.

“I am extremely grateful to Peter from Snowdrop Independent Living for sponsoring such an event, and I would like to thank all the volunteers that helped to make the day such a success; and a big thank you to Sian Fair and her team from Haverfordwest Leisure centre for hosting it,” she added.