The Yorkshire & Humber Region of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has staged the third Disability Games at The English Institute of Sport, Sheffield on Tuesday 16th June 2009.
Following the success of last years event the day of sports was run by the DofE’s Yorkshire & Humber Regional Office in conjunction with Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events Unit, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield International Venues and Sheffield DofE Centre.
More than 250 students, aged between 14 and 19, with varying disabilities competed in teams of eight at the event. Since it began the DofE has been dedicated to the personal development of young people from all backgrounds.
A Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is achievable by any young person who chooses to take up its challenge, regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Young people will take part in a range of different sports including athletics, archery, football, basketball, goal ball and boccia.
The games were opened at 11am by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Graham Oxley. The event was also being supported over 100 young volunteers and helpers from Sheffield, Scarborough and Scunthorpe who were on hand to help out the athletes.
The closing ceremony took place at 3.15 pm with a march past of the teams and the presentation of their certificates by a number of Paralympians.
Neil Forrest, Director for the Yorkshire and Humber Region of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “We are hugely grateful to Sheffield City Council, Yorkshire & Clydesdale Bank Foundation and Hallam FM Cash for Kids for their generous support, which has enabled us to stage this event and build on the success of the 2008 Games. Those who took part last time round gained a great sense of achievement and we are hoping the competitors will once again use this event as a spring board into sport.
“Most of the young people taking part are DofE participants and the Games will offer them chance to develop their Physical sections activities and gain experience of other DofE elements such as volunteering, team work and new skills, whilst for others this will be a taster for their future DofE involvement.”