WMDAFG – West Midlands Disability Athletics Focus Group is a proactive group working in partnership with West Midlands athletics clubs to provide support , advise and guidance to clubs, with a view to ensure that club coaches ,officials and volunteers have the necessary knowledge and training , that will enable disabled athletes to be integrated within a athletics club environment.
Aim of WMDAFG:
To create, coordinate and develop delivery of an accessible network of Disabled development and performance opportunities in the West Midlands for all.
Objectives:
1. To create, coordinate and enhance athletic opportunities from
foundation through to excellence , working with Schools , clubs
and other interested parties.
2. To support and seek to influence the implementation of NGB /
EFDS strategic plans.
3. To identify and develop training opportunities for athletes coaches, volunteers and officials.
4. To establish and develop communication networks in all formats.
5. To establish a database of athletes and current athletics provision
in the West Midlands.
6. To assist in the development and implementation of schools, clubs and disabled organisations including PESSCL.
7. To ensure that equity is incorporated across all aspects of
Athletics.
8. To assist in ensuring facilities are capable of delivering disabled
Athletics.
9. To support, develop and deliver athletics events and competitions as appropriate.
WMDAFG Next meeting :
Date : Tuesday 23rd September 2008
Time : 10.30am
Venue : England Athletics West Midlands Office
Alexander Stadium
Birmingham
B42 2LR
For more details please contact:
Nick Robinson
Regional Development Performance Coordinator
England Athletics – West Midlands
07803 671970
Disability Club Audit
Does Your Club Provide opportunities for Disabled Athletes?
The WMDAFG are currently auditing clubs in the Region to identify those who currently provide opportunities for disabled athletes. To assist us with this, the following questionnaire has been sent to all clubs.
Sports Coach UK "Working with Disabled People in Athletics" Coach Awareness Course
The West Midlands Disability Athletics Focus Group (WMDAFG) in partnership with Sports Coach UK, and England Athletics - West Midlands held a “Working with Disabled People in Athletics” coach education awareness course on Saturday 21st April 2007. The course which took place at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham was aimed at Athletics Club Coaches and Special School Teachers in the West Midlands. The day included a mixture of theory and practical based activities that helped identify how to include disabled people in athletics.
The course which was fully subscribed was attended by 25 Coaches, and created “Huge “interest in both England and Wales. Places were provided free of charge to all West Midlands Club Coaches, as funding support for the course was provided by the European Indoors Athletics Championships Development Plan 2007.
Debbie Brennan – Gold Medalist from the 2000 Sydney Paralympics was invited as a guest to attend the day, and provided a practical demonstration and insight into Wheel Chair Racing , and discussed with the Coaches the commitment involved in becoming an “ Elite Athlete “.
The course was unique in that it was the “first of its kind “in the region, and only the third ever Sports Coach UK Disability Athletics specific course to be run in England.
Clubs in attendance:
Birchfield Harriers AC
Birmingham Row Heath AC
Wolverhampton and Bilston AC
Hereford AC
Special Olympics – Worcester
Spinx AC
Stratford upon Avon AC
Cannock and Stafford AC
Useful Contacts
Details of National Disability Associations, Regional and County disability contacts can be downloaded below.
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