Adaptive Athletics

Activities for those with special needs.

Yate AC has begun a new programme with support from Sport England and South Gloucestershire Council and Yate Town Council, to provide special adapted sessions for people who have special needs. We are moving from old terminology like “disabled” athletics and “disability” athletics which focus on what people cannot do, to activities which are adapted to empower and develop the individual.

We have a simple approach:

“Respect the person and adapt the activity”

The development plan for Adaptive Athletics is long term and it expects to work with people with a wide range of special needs. There are scheduled daytime sessions as well as after-school sessions. Adults will also take part in evening sessions and all day events. During 2021 we expect these activities to be empowering and self-sustaining – we wish the participants to develop individually according to their capabilities.

We are accumulating the necessary physical resources through grants and are training and supporting coaches and assistants as necessary. We are building partnerships with local schools and organisations who support those with special needs.

We are in the early stages of a major development at Yate AC and more detail on sessions will follow.

For further information contact Jim via email:   adaptive4athletics@gmail.com

England Athletics Vision Statement for Disability Athletes:
“To develop an informed, educated and inclusive athletics community and create a clear pathway to ensure that people with a disability are supported to participate, progress and perform in athletics.”