MORE than 200 of the country’s finest young disabled athletes will be going for gold in Coventry early next month when the Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championships comes to Warwick University.
The annual event is one of the highlights in the disability sporting calendar with some competitors hoping their success might lead to a golden career in athletics after taking part in seven qualifiers in the build up to the nationals.
Many elite disabled athletes began their own success at this prestigious event, including Hannah Cockroft, Shelly Woods, Aled Davies and Hollie Arnold, who were spotted as potential world class athletes.
The two-day championships at the University of Warwick’s athletics track is organised by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS). There is a full programme on offer, meaning athletes with a wide range of impairments can take part, something which is not often supported at many other events.
“EFDS believes everyone should have a chance to be active, at whatever level they choose to take part,” said EFDS chief executive Barry Horne.
“The Typhoo Junior Athletics Championships 2016 is one of our favourite events of the year and we know how much the athletes enjoy it too. That’s why it is great to see how many young disabled people will be part of the competition.”
Typhoo Tea renewed their support for 2016, after helping 1,500 disabled athletes to access athletics opportunities last year.
Somnath Saha, Chief Executive of Typhoo Ltd, added: “Sport can change lives and that is certainly true for those who have taken part in the regional qualifiers and this weekend’s national championships.
“Being active can help with physical and mental health, confidence and fitness and to promote social interaction. That’s why it is great to see such a high number of young disabled people taking part in this weekend’s competition, supported by an army of volunteers, families and schools.
“And one day, who knows, some of these youngsters might emulate the likes of Hannah Cockroft, David Weir, Jonnie Peacock and other Paralympians and take their talent to even bigger stages.”
The Championships begin at 10am on Saturday July 2 and go on until 1pm the following day.
As well as individual medals up for grabs, there is the team championship on offer, with current holders the North East again fielding a very strong team.
For more information about the championships visit www.efds.co.uk.
