THE third UK Inclusive Skating competition takes place at Scotland’s Braehead Curling Ice Rink in April – and organisers want to make it the biggest and best.
Funded through a Big Lottery Awards for All grant and supported by the National Ice Skating Association, the competition is being organised by Inclusive Skating, who provide opportunities for skaters with a range of physical or mental impairments.
A panel will individually assess each skater during classification.
Margarita Sweeney-Baird, founder of Inclusive Skating, said: “Our end goal is to develop a programme that will include all skaters with an impairment and allow them to participate in all competitions and events on an equal basis.
“This funding has allowed us to do just that. For the first time since the event’s inception we are able to extend its scope, opening up the competition to some of the most seriously impaired athletes. This year’s event will include a harness event that will allow even more skaters to take part.
“The system we have in place is transformational for disability sport, allowing able and disabled bodied skaters to compete in the same events.”
The event will also include the third Special Olympics GB National Championships in Figure and Speed Skating.
Nick Sellwood, chief executive of NISA, said: “Inclusive skating is becoming more and popular in the UK and this competition not only provides the opportunity for those skaters to participate in a competitive environment, but it also acts as the focal point within the inclusive skating calendar.”
The competition takes place on the weekend of April 11-12.
