Ayrshire Sportsability's annual Festival of Sport returns to Ayrshire College
Ayrshire Sportsability’s week-long Festival of Sport took place at Ayrshire College’s Kilmarnock Campus, facilitated by Sport & Fitness students at the College.
Ayrshire Sportsability co-hosts the annual Festival of Sport with their Development Partners – East, North and South Ayrshire Councils and Ayrshire College.
Pupils with disabilities in mainstream and Additional Support Need schools, as well as adults from the local communities, were given the chance to take part in disability sports which they may not usually have access to.
The participants took part in athletics, football, rugby, boccia, karate and table tennis activities.
The activities were supported by Scottish Disability Sport, sportscotland, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, KA Leisure, Dunlop Table Tennis Club, Kilmarnock Harriers and North Ayrshire Athletics Club.
Hundreds of pupils from the Supported Learning Centre at the Barony Campus, Dalmilling Primary School, Elderbank Primary School, Hillside Primary School, Irvine Royal Academy, Lockhart Campus, Newton Primary School, Park School, Queen Margaret Academy and Robert Burns Academy took part, under the guidance of HNC Sport Coaching and Development students, with support from special guests – former footballers Rose Reilly MBE, Simon Donnelly, Andy McLaren and Garry Hay.
Dianne Campbell, Ayrshire Sportsability co-ordinator, said: “We were delighted to hold another fantastic event for nearly 500 attendees thanks to Ayrshire College students and lecturers. Ayrshire Sportsability have been holding the Annual Festival of Sport since 2002. This could not be done without the support of the college, our community clubs and the students.”
Alan Johnston, Sport and Fitness lecturer at Ayrshire College, said: “Ayrshire College Sport and Fitness students - through supporting this event - are provided real-life experience of working with client groups with additional support needs, and are empowered with the management and delivery of each day to provide a memorable experience for all involved. The partnership with Ayrshire Sportsability is one that the college is extremely proud of and being able to make such a positive impact in the community to get children and adults active and socialising in a sporting environment is one that we will continue to develop and grow.”
SFA Player and Coach Development Officer and former Kilmarnock FC footballer Garry Hay, said: “I’m delighted to be able to lend my support to this amazing event. To bring numerous schools from the three local authorities together for a week of fun, physical activity is something really special. Having worked with the students through the SFA VIP programme, it is great to see them putting into practice some of the skills and knowledge that they have learned on the courses.
“The students really made the event the success it was due to their enthusiasm, empathy and encouragement, and this was evidenced by the smiles on the faces of all the participants.
“I look forward to being able to support any future events with Ayrshire Sportsabilty and the college as I know how much off a difference it makes to all the participants.”
27 October 2023
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