Great Britain host first-ever para sport event

“It is a fun way for people of all ages to show their support for the Paralympics and disability sport.”

Inspired by the success of Great Britain’s National Paralympic Day earlier this year, Hoof, the British Equestrian Federation’s participation programme, is bringing several para-sports together to give even more people the chance to see and try a range of disability sports at the first ever Para Sport Event 2015.

Hosted at Moulton College in Northamptonshire, Great Britain, on 25 October, the free regional event is set out to promote and introduce people to para-sports by giving them the opportunity to find out more and try some out for themselves. On the first day, attendees will have the chance to give a variety of para-sports a go including equestrian, cycling, sailing, wheelchair basketball, rowing and archery.

Hot off her success at the recent Para-Equestrian Dressage European Championships, Great Britain’s Sophie Wells will be part of an introduction to equestrian demonstration, which will include a display from riders currently training and competing within the British Dressage and Riding for the Disabled competition structure.

“Lots of people will see disability sports but not know how they can get involved, that is the biggest hurdle, there are lots of sports out there and this gives people the opportunity to try different sports,” Wells said. “This event allows that flexibility, you don’t have to just pick one sport you can do a variety, which is why events like this are so important.

“It draws on the legacy of London 2012, but over time interest does start to fade so these events are really important, it gives people the opportunity to see different sports and to give them a go,” she added.

Sarah Chambers, Project Manager for National Paralympic Day at the British Paralympic Association, praised the initiative aimed at bringing para-sports to even more people.

“It’s absolutely fantastic that these sports are getting into the spirit of National Paralympic Day,” Chambers said. “National Paralympic Day gives people the opportunity to celebrate what they love about the Paralympics and I think that this event fits the bill perfectly.

“It is a fun way for people of all ages to show their support for the Paralympics and disability sport.”

It is hoped that the inaugural regional Para Sport Event will mark the start of a regular, more wide spread celebration of para-sport, encouraging the increased access and participation of disability sports throughout the country.

More information about the Para Sport Event can be found at the British Equestrian Federation's website. To sign up for free tickets, please visit the event website.