With the 2016 Paralympic Games underway in Rio de Janeiro, Swansea residents with a disability are being reminded that there are plenty of sport and exercise opportunities available for them on their doorsteps.
Swansea Council’s Active Swansea leisure centres in Penlan, Penyrheol, Morriston, Bishopston and Cefn Hengoed are among the fully-accessible facilities on hand across the city.
Graduated, easy access to the swimming pool and wheelchair access via a ramp are both available at Penlan leisure centre, with a pool hoist in use at Penyrheol. A number of Inclusive Fitness Initiative accredited equipment is also available in each centre’s fitness studio, along with parking spaces and changing facilities for the disabled.
Cllr Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy City and Wellbeing, said: “The Paralympic Games will no doubt inspire many people with disabilities across the UK and beyond to take up sport themselves, so it’s pleasing that we already have a network of facilities and clubs available here in Swansea to cater for them.
“From Ellie Simmonds and Chloe Davies to Paul Karabardak, Swansea has a proud history of helping people with disabilities compete at an elite level, but as well as facilities and coaching aimed at progression to top level sport and competition, there’s plenty available to cater for people with disabilities of all ages and skill levels who simply want to try out exercise opportunities or a new sport for fun.
“As well as physical benefits, sport and exercise can have tremendous mental benefits too, helping expand people’s social circles and boosting their confidence and self-esteem.”
Clubs for football, rugby, swimming, cycling, basketball, tennis, table tennis, judo, archery, surfing, boccia and bowls are among those available in Swansea for people with disabilities.
In 2012, the city acted as a base for the New Zealand and Mexico teams in the build-up to the London Paralympic Games. Swansea also hosted the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Athletics European Championships in 2014, becoming the first city in the UK to do so.
Visit www.swansea.gov.uk/activeswansea or call 01792 635460 for more information about sport opportunities for people with disabilities in Swansea.
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