Disability Sports Awards 2012

Last night we attended the Nationwide Disability Sports Awards held in conjunction with the English Federation of Disability Sport.

The event was held at The Point, LCC in Manchester and was attended by around 300 invited guests including many Paralympians, the stars of London 2012 and the upcoming athletes and clubs for whom the awards are presented.

Guests were welcomed to a drinks reception before the blinds rose over the room below which looked resplendent in GB colours!

A great meal was enjoyed by all before the real reason for being there commenced; the awards.

Awards were given out to Junior Stars, who will be the future Paralympic talent in years to come. Awards were also presented to “Rising Stars” – athletes who are currently competing and making a difference in their sport and who are set to shine in the next few years and also Clubs who have been making a difference for disabled athletes at all levels.

We are extremely pleased to say that Paula was picked from 100s of nominations to receive a Rising Star award for Wheelchair Dancesport. Paula has been an inspiration to many with her achievements in Wheelchair Dancesport, now holding 5 current international titles in Amateur (Class 2) Latin and Ballroom as well as the current UK Amateur Latin and Ballroom Champion.

Paula with her dance partner Gary Lyness were also thrilled to be able to perform at the awards to showcase Wheelchair Dancesport.

As part of the awards Nationwide contributed £20,000 to be awarded between the rising stars and clubs. This money will support future talent to help them train and grow to become the Paralympians and athletes to the best of their ability.

The event was attended by the Minister for Disabled People – Esther McVey MP; double gold Paralympic medallist Hannah Cockroft, bronze cycling Paralympic medallist Jody Cundy,
silver Paralympic medallist athlete Shelly Woods and bronze swimming Paralympic medallist Natalie Jones.

EFDS Vice President and retired NBA player John Amaechi OBE gave an emotive speech despite his illness saying that professional sports people should be looking to the disabled sports arena for inspritaion on what taking part in a sport really means – the volunteers, inclusiveness and camaraderie is what truly makes “Games Makers”, the core of sport.