New fencing clubs to be launched in the Dales

27 November 2009

A series of fencing coaching sessions are to be held in Wirksworth and Ashbourne for people with a disability.

The Derbyshire Dales Disability Sport Group has been awarded a grant from Sport England to set up three new satellite fencing clubs.

Weekly coaching sessions will be held at Callow Park Special School in Wirksworth and Ashbourne Leisure Centre, run by experienced national fencing coach Floyd Thomas. Work is also currently taking place to find a venue in Matlock for the third club.

The aim of the project is to give more people with a disability the opportunity to play sport and try fencing, and the new sessions will link to the 3 Blades Fencing Club based at Ashbourne Leisure Centre, which already runs weekly coaching sessions for young people and adults.

Sport England awarded the £4,353 grant to the Derbyshire Dales Disability Sport Group following its successful application for funding, and it is hoped that the new clubs will give around 60 new people the chance to try fencing.

Rob Wilks, Sports Development Officer at Derbyshire Dales District Council, is a member of the Derbyshire Dales Disability Sport Group. He said: “This fencing project has been set up after consultation with local people and aims to increase participation in sport. We know that transport and access to sport is an issue for many people living in the Derbyshire Dales, which is why we have decided to set up satellite clubs at three different venues.”

Catherine Slater, Disability Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport, said: “Fencing is an extremely inclusive sport which is ideal for people with a physical disability or learning disability. It is a very popular Paralympic sport, and a lot of fun.”

The project is also being supported by the Active Derbyshire Dales Network and Derbyshire Dales School Sport Partnership, and both organisations have each contributed £500 to help meet the cost of setting up the clubs.

To find out more about the clubs contact Catherine Slater on Catherine.slater@derbyshire.gov.uk or 01773 571231 or Rob Wilks at rob.wilks@derbyshiredales.gov.uk or 01629 761381

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