Wyndley Hoping To Become Birmingham's Home For Adaptable Sport

Wyndley Leisure Centre cemented its ambition to become Birmingham’s home for adaptable sport with a well-attended engagement event this week.

In a bid to improve provision for adaptable sport, stakeholders from Make Change, Sport Birmingham, Sport England and Birmingham City Council joined dozens of local young people to try adaptable sport and discuss its future growth in the City.

Participants enjoyed taster sessions of wheelchair American Football, wheelchair Basketball, Axe Throwing, Archery, Boccia among other sports and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Wyndley also offers step-free access and accessible shower and changing facilities in the swimming pool area.

Evan, 19, participated in many events during the day, he said: “I really enjoyed all of the activities, especially the American Football – I hope I can come back and do it again soon.”

Dawn Page, Deputy Partnership Manager for the Birmingham Community Leisure Trust said: “We’re working really hard to improve the accessibility of sport in the local area.

“Days like today give young people an opportunity to sample sports that they haven’t ever had access to elsewhere. This is a gateway to further sporting activity, so we hope they come back to Wyndley and find a sport they love with us here.”

Kevin Levack, Contract Support Office for the Sport Service at Birmingham City Council, said: “We would like to thank Wyndley Leisure Centre for the invite to come and see the adaptable sport event.

It’s a great initiative, and we learnt a lot about what we can do for adaptable support moving forwards across Birmingham.”

Andy Craddock, Inclusive Sport Coach for Make Change, which aims to deliver inclusive/adaptive sport in the community, said: “I believe the event went really well. I believe we live in a society that struggles to empathise with disability, inclusion, and diversity.

“We need to offer opportunities for people living with disabilities on a consistent basis if we are going to change and improve the mindset.”