28 June 2010

By Sarah Marl

Blackpool will welcome over 350 competitors to Stanley Park this weekend to take part in the biggest national competition of its kind. Disabled athletes aged 12-20 will compete in a full track and field programme- all aiming for gold. 

Disability Sport Events (DSE) is holding the Nationwide Junior Athletics Championships on the 3-4 July.  Nationwide Building Society, Lions Club International and Blackpool Council are supporting the event where young paralympic hopefuls will compete. The athletes are from all Home Countries and use the Blackpool Hilton as a base for the competition.

This event provides 12-20 year olds with a chance to compete amongst their peers in a full track and field programme. Spectators will have the opportunity to watch up and coming stars. Successful Paralympic athletes, such as Blackpool local girl Shelly Woods have come through the DSE junior programme so all eyes will be on Stanley Park to spot future talent.

Gordon Neale, Director of Events for DSE, said: “Through the support of our many partners, we are able to host a variety of events throughout the year for disabled athletes, whether they are just starting to learn a sport or looking to further their career.  Without the dedication of our sponsors and volunteers- our events just wouldn’t happen.”

Nationwide Building Society has been a long term sponsor since 2000 and enjoyed seeing hundreds of disabled athletes win gold in their sport. As a partner for both swimming and athletics, Nationwide’s support is paramount for future champions.

Maxine Taylor, Nationwide’s Divisional Director for Corporate Affairs, said: “Nationwide Building Society is very proud to support DSE and all the athletes who compete at these events throughout the UK.  We hope our sponsorship will enable more disabled athletes to take part in these events and that they continue to break records, both personally and internationally.”

Councillor Tony Williams, Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities at Blackpool Council who is working in partnership to host the event said: "This week we have had a full and exciting programme of events supporting Blackpool Youth Games with school children from all over the resort taking part. The eventual finale will be a full championship competition which will be a wonderful spectacle in this great venue in Stanley Park.
 
“The competitors are the top of their class and this competition is a great opportunity for top athletes to make their mark. I welcome the competition and hope Blackpool residents will head over to support all those taking part.”

Other partners assisting the championships are Blackpool Council, Lions Club International, Water Direct and Stanley Park Stadium. It is free for spectators. Further information about DSE and the results from this event is available via www.disabilitysport.org.uk

-ends-

Media information:
The media are welcome to attend the event. Please contact:
Sarah Marl, Disability Sport Events
sarah@dse.org.uk
0161 953 2438
Mobile 07764 291671

Notes to editors:

• Disability Sport Events (DSE) organises regional, national and international championships in a variety of sports.
• Swimming and athletics are the highest participation sports for disabled people in this country and Nationwide’s sponsorship enables DSE to build on current success to contribute towards the number of medals won internationally.
• DSE is the events division of the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) – the umbrella organisation responsible for co-ordinating sport and physical activity for disabled people in England.
• For more information on Disability Sport Events and the English Federation of Disability Sport visit www.disabilitysport.org.uk or www.efds.co.uk

• Nationwide Building Society is the world’s largest building society and is the UK’s third largest savings and mortgage provider, with around 15 million members.
• Nationwide is the sponsor of the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland national football teams, and also the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
• In November 2005 Nationwide Building Society announced its sponsorship of DSE in a deal worth £1 million over seven years, following five successful years of partnership. 
• Nationwide’s sponsorship will help DSE to encourage participation from regional to international level, to identify talented individuals and to make team selections, which are vital components for a successful Paralympics.
• For more information about Nationwide please visit www.nationwide.co.uk 

Lions Club International 105BN
• Lions Club International is the largest voluntary organisation in the world, with 1.3 million members in 202 countries. There are around 18,000 members in the British Isles and Ireland in over 900 Clubs, whose primary purpose is to serve those in need.
• 105BN has a long history of supporting this event in Blackpool and have been volunteering for over twenty years at the Junior Athletics.