Students train with Paralympian medallist Martin Mansell

As a follow up to attending the recent Special Olympics GB National Games in Sheffield - reported here - a group of students completed Sainsbury’s inclusive community training on Friday 18 August 2017 in the University Sports and fitness centre.  We were incredibly fortunate that the facilitator assigned to us was Martin Mansell who won multiple medals swimming for Great Britain in the Paralympic Games, notably gold in Seoul 1988.  Having competed at elite level, his enthusiasm for developing inclusive sport at grass roots level was infectious with year three student Karen Normington commenting:

“… thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend the afternoon in training lead by Martin.  What an inspirational passionate guy he is, certainly left me with lots to think about and not just in a sport capacity.” 

The three-hour practical workshop was supported by an online Module, workbook and was provided by Sainsbury’s in conjunction with the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS).  It focused on using the Inclusion Spectrum (open, modified and parallel activities) and STEP, an acronym for Space, Task, Equipment, People.  We also experienced the rigour of sitting volleyball and - the more sedate but competitive - boccia.

For more information please see and/or contact Debbie Crickmore.