Council to highlight 'importance of making sport and physical activity accessible and inclusive for everyone’ to Education and Communities Ministers
‘Northern Ireland has roughly the same population of Wales who have 23 athletes compared to Northern Ireland's three. I just find this totally unacceptable’ - said Cllr Declan Norris
Derry and Strabane councillors have taken the decision to write to the Stormont Education and Communities ministers regarding different aspects of sport for people with disabilities.
As a result of a motion brought to Council’s July plenary by Cllr Declan Norris (SDLP) and seconded by Cllr Sean Mooney (SDLP), Council will write to the Minister for Education to request a “comprehensive report outlining what plans, strategies, and resources are currently in place or being developed to support schools, teachers, and classroom assistants in providing accessible physical education for children with disabilities”.
It will also write to the Minister for Communities requesting “details on what actions are being taken to reverse the decline in participation in community sport by people with disabilities, and what strategies are in place to support and develop elite paraathletes to compete at the highest levels of sport, both locally and internationally”.
Cllr Norris said he had brought the motion following conversations with Jason Smith, six-time paralympic champion who now works for Paralympic Ireland as a strategist.
He added: “I have also had various conversations with para-triathletes Chloe and Judith MacCombe and can I congratulate Chloe and her guide Aisling who won bronze for Ireland at the weekend and at the World Triathlon Para Series at Montreal and Judith and her guide Emmer on their bronze at the World Triathlon Para Series in Italy.
“I have also been helping Jennifer Smith, who recently opened Jen's Gym, who offers people with neurological conditions and disabilities a safe place, an accessible place to work out and exercise, and herself recently appeared on the One Show,” he said.
“Each of them has highlighted various issues regarding people living with a disability or health condition, trying to access sporting facilities for sport within schools, communities, and at elite levels.
“If I can start with the elite sports, only nine athletes and two guides compete at the elite paralympics from the island of Ireland - six from Ireland, three from Northern Ireland and if we look at the rest of team GB, it's 169 for England, 22 for Wales and 21 for Scotland.
“Northern Ireland has roughly the same population of Wales who have 23 athletes compared to Northern Ireland's three. I just find this totally unacceptable,” said Cllr Norris.
The full text of Cllr Norris’ motion read: “This Council recognises the vital importance of making sport and physical activity accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of ability.
“Recent reports have highlighted a concerning decline in participation among children with disabilities in physical education within schools, as well as a reduction in the number of people with disabilities engaging in community sport more broadly.
“In light of these findings, this Council resolves to: Write to the Minister for Education to request a comprehensive report outlining what plans, strategies, and resources are currently in place or being developed to support schools, teachers, and classroom assistants in providing accessible physical education for children with disabilities.
“Write to the Minister for Communities to request details on what actions are being taken to reverse the decline in participation in community sport by people with disabilities, and what strategies are in place to support and develop elite paraathletes to compete at the highest levels of sport, both locally and internationally.
“This Council reaffirms its commitment to equality, inclusion, and the promotion of health and wellbeing for all residents of the Derry and Strabane District including in our council operated facilities and calls for urgent action to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind in sport and physical activity.”