Disability Magazine | PosAbility Magazine» british paralympic association

London 2012 medallists on board as ParalympicsGB Sports Fest heads to Worcester

PosAbility — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:27:36 +0000

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) today announced that the third ParalympicsGB Sports Fest will take place at the University of Worcester Arena on Sunday November 24 and Monday November 25, 2013. London 2012 gold medallist Josie Pearson and silver medallist Dan Greaves have been confirmed as ambassadors for the event.

The third edition of Sports Fest follows the fantastic success of the event first held at Surrey Sports Park in December 2012 and subsequently hosted at EIS Sheffield in April 2013. In all, over 1,700 people have so far attended Sports Fest to ‘meet the medallists, try the sports, get inspired’.

Sports Fest is a free two-day multi-sport event for disabled people that aims to capture some of the enthusiasm built up over the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Visitors to the event can participate in come-and-try sessions for the vast majority of Paralympic summer and winter sports. Additionally, they are invited to take part in meet the medallists sessions, where they can put their questions to athletes, pose for photos and receive autographs.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of the BPA, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing Sports Fest to Worcester. We were thrilled to see such a great turn out at the first two events in the series and they attracted fantastic feedback from visitors of all ages. It is now really clear that Sports Fest provides a wonderful opportunity for people to how learn they can get involved in disability sport and to discover what’s out there for them.

He added: “Sports Fest is a crucial part of the BPA’s commitment post-London to support the development of disability sport opportunities and to capitalise on the increased levels of interest in disability sport following the Paralympic Games last year.”

London 2012 gold medallist and World Champion Josie Pearson has been announced as one of the first Sports Fest ambassadors. Commenting on the announcement, she said: “I’m delighted to be named as a Sports Fest Ambassador as the event is celebrated in Worcester. As a Paralympian who has competed in both Wheelchair Rugby and Athletics, I know how fantastic it is to have the opportunity to try out a range of different sports under one roof! I’m really looking forward to the event and to meeting some of the people who sign-up to Sports Fest Worcester.”

London 2012 silver medallist and Dan Greaves was also thrilled to share the news. He said: “I’d encourage people to get involved with Sports Fest and register to attend the event in Worcester. Sport has been a huge part of my life, but the great thing about Sports Fest is that it’s not just for people with a competitive edge who want to find out how they can get more involved, it’s also for people who want to maybe try something new and just get more active.”

ParalympicsGB Sports Fest will go to different regions of the UK in 2014. Register for the Worcester event or for more information on future events via www.sportsfest.uk.com.

British Paralympic Association

BPA signs Mondelez International as sponsor as part of one year on celebrations

posabilitymagazine — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 10:46:49 +0000

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) yesterday announced that it has signed Mondelez International, home of well-loved brands such as Cadbury, Bassetts, Philadelphia and belVita, as a commercial partner through to March 2017. The announcement comes as the BPA prepares to celebrate 1 year on from the London 2012 Paralympic Games with the National Paralympic Day.

The new deal sees Mondelez International join the list of six high profile sponsors including BT and Sainsbury’s as an Official Partner of the BPA. It includes rights to the BPA and ParalympicsGB, the team that competes at the Games. These will be leveraged through specific brand activations over the term of the deal and Mondelez International will also continue to support Sports Fest through the Cadbury Foundation.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the BPA said: “I am delighted that Mondelez International is continuing its support of the BPA. Our partnership has gone from strength to strength since we started working together and we are excited to see how the business will bring this to life over the coming months through some of its household brands, as Cadbury did at London 2012. The Paralympic movement is strong in the UK and to have another major sponsor on board is fantastic news.”

Mondelez International, through its Cadbury brand, was a sponsor of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. In the run up to the Games, it drove colleague engagement through a number of very successful initiatives. These included sending staff to volunteer at Paralympic Potential Days and through its London 2012 sporting ambassador programme where the business followed and supported double European gold medal winning wheelchair rugby star Mandip Sehmi, IPC World Athletics gold medal winning athlete Richard Whitehead and wheelchair tennis star Jordanne Whiley. In turn, the athletes visited offices to talk to staff and they helped activate corporate programmes such as the Spots v Stripes community programme – aimed at bringing people together in deprived areas through playing games.

Maurizio Brusadelli, President of Mondelez International UK&I, said: “I had the opportunity to volunteer at two Sports Fest days, and witnessed first-hand how the BPA can help disabled people change their personal expectations of what they can achieve. I am proud to be able to continue our relationship with the BPA and we look forward to working with them through to Rio 2016.”

Jane Jones, Director of Marketing and Communications at the BPA, commented: “Mondelez International owns some of the UK’s most loved and well recognised brands, from Cadbury to Oreo, Philadelphia to belVita and Bassetts to Green & Black’s. Partnering with such household names presents a great opportunity for the BPA and we are looking forward to seeing how the team bring their passion for the BPA to life through these brands.”

www.paralympics.org.uk

Deloitte sign up to continue their support for the BPA through to Rio 2016

posabilitymagazine — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:20:16 +0000

Business advisory firm Deloitte and the British Paralympic Association (BPA) have announced the renewal of their partnership for the next four years, through to the end of 2016. Deloitte have also announced a four year renewal of their title sponsorship of the Deloitte Ride Across Britain corporate challenge, with the BPA continuing as Deloitte’s preferred charity for the event.

In addition to ongoing financial support for the BPA and ParalympicsGB, the firm will sponsor the ParalympicsGB Team Launch events for 2014 and 2016, this is the key staging post for the teams where they come together before the Games. Deloitte will also continue as the presenting partner of the BPA’s Parasport website which helps people find the right sport for their impairment and find clubs in their local area. The Deloitte Ride Across Britain will also extend to 2017 – this new and ambitious corporate challenge was initiated in 2010 to back the Paralympic team and plays an important role in raising awareness of Paralympic sport.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of the BPA, commented: “Deloitte are a fantastic long term supporter of the BPA and we are delighted that we will continue to work together. Their support in the build-up to London 2012 truly made a difference both to how we were able to support the team and how we are able to leverage the inspiration of the Games to promote opportunities at grass roots level. They are a great partner for any business and so we are really pleased that they will continue to be a part of our Paralympic family through to Rio 2016.”

“To have renewed another commercial partnership less than six months on from the conclusion of London 2012 demonstrates the strength of our brand and proposition in the UK and the commitment that our partners have to helping us to achieve our vision.”

Heather Hancock, Managing Partner for Talent and Brand at Deloitte, commented on the renewal of both sponsorships:“Our relationship with the BPA has seen Deloitte make a genuine difference to people who wanted to play a sport that suited their disability, but didn’t know what to choose or where to play it. London 2012 led to unprecedented levels of activity on the Deloitte Parasport website, and we are delighted to be investing in the Games legacy at the grass-roots level, as well as ensuring ParalympicsGB can recreate last summer’s success at the upcoming Sochi and Rio Games. Both elements will, we hope, inspire even more people to get into sport.”

“Creating the Deloitte Ride Across Britain was a bold move to establish a new corporate challenge. We are delighted by its impact, on our clients, our people and the public who have got behind the Paralympic movement, given generously to support it, and achieved their own life ambitions in the process. Both of these renewed relationships clearly set out Deloitte’s ambition to remain a leading supporter of disability sport in the UK post London 2012.”

Deloitte started their relationship with the BPA in 2006 when they worked together to develop Parasport, a website that gave people information on disability sport and where to play it. With an average of 40,000 users per month, Parasport is now well established as ‘the yellow pages’ for disability sport. When Deloitte became the Official Professional Services Provider to the London 2012 Games, the partnership grew to encompass tangible support for the ParalympicsGB team, including fundraising through the Deloitte Ride Across Britain which has already raised over £1m for the BPA since 2010. The Ride sees over 700 people a year cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End over 9 days, including ParalympicsGB stars taking on the challenge as part of their training regime.

Julian Mack, CEO and co-founder of Threshold Sports, the company that conceived and delivers Deloitte Ride Across Britain said; “We are delighted to have renewed our partnership with Deloitte. The firm has supported the event right from conception and has already seen over 15% of its workforce either participate or be directly involved with the Ride, and fundraised an incredible figure for the British Paralympic Association. All events need a partner that believes in its potential and share brand values and it is this support that has enabled us to create a truly iconic challenge. We look forward to welcoming the future alumni of Deloitte RAB as they embark on the ultimate experience in breathless sightseeing and help unlock Threshold’s mantra of More Is In You.”

www.paralympics.org.uk

Reddish re-elected as Chair of BPA alongside new Board

posabilitymagazine — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:41:02 +0000

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Great Britain met today to elect the Chair and Board of the British Paralympic Association. Tim Reddish OBE was confirmed as Chair for a further four years having stood un-opposed.

A further five Board members were elected, three of whom were re-elected: Richard Callicott (President of England Volleyball, Chair of British Volleyball and Vice President of British Wheelchair Basketball), Paul Masters (Treasurer of Disability Snowsport UK), and Annamarie Phelps (Chair of British Rowing). They were joined by David Hadfield (Chair of GB Boccia and Chair of Boccia International Sports Federation) and Geoff Newton (Executive Director of the Tennis Foundation).

Tim Reddish commented on his reappointment

‘I am delighted to be reappointed as Chair of the BPA for a further four year term. The London Games have put Paralympic sport on a new platform and we are all determined to make the most of this to further develop the organisation and the movement in the UK.’

The Board composition was changed following a review of Governance by Deloitte in 2010 which led to a thorough review of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the organisation, a task supported by law firm Hogan Lovells. The final Board will now comprise of six elected Board members, including the Chair and up to four Non-Executive Directors. The Non-Executive Directors will be appointed later this year, following a review of the skill set of the newly elected Board.

www.paralympics.org.uk

ParalympicsGB Sports Fest set for Sheffield

posabilitymagazine — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:43:32 +0000

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) today announced that the second ParalympicsGB Sports Fest will be held at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27, 2013.

The second edition of the Sports Fest follows the fantastic success of the inaugural event, which saw over 1,000 people attend Surrey Sports Park in December 2012.

Sports Fest is a free two-day multi-sport event for disabled people which aims to capture some of the enthusiasm built up over the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The activities available include: come-and-try sessions for the vast majority of Paralympic summer and winter sports; meet the medallists, where attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, meet the athletes and receive autographs; and a series of seminars throughout both days designed to provide more information on all aspects of disability sport.

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of the BPA, commented:

“We were absolutely delighted with the response we received from the first Sports Fest event that we held last year. We had so many people through the door and we received such fantastic feedback from attendees that we were determined to hold another event early in 2013. It was also important that we visited another area of the country so that we provide an opportunity for as many disabled people as possible to attend, so we are pleased that we will be coming to Sheffield.

“The Sports Fest events are a crucial part of our commitment post-London to support the development of disability sport opportunities and make the most of the increased levels of interest in disability sport after the Games across the United Kingdom.”

Sports Fest will also include a presence from the BPA’s online club signposting tool Deloitte Parasport, (www.parasport.org.uk), which has proven very popular since the start of the Paralympic Games. Alongside Sport National Governing Bodies it also provides an excellent opportunity for important BPA partners such as the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) to engage with attendees and showcase their services.

Barry Horne, Chief Executive of English Federation of Disability Sport, said:

“As the national body for sport and physical activity for disabled people throughout England, we were keen to be involved in the first Sports Fest last December. Our research following the London Games told us that disabled people are considering doing more sport now but not every disabled person can or will want to be a Paralympian or even reach elite standard. For many, just being active is enough. That is why EFDS are keen to ensure all opportunities are inclusive for people with every impairment and at a level they wish to take part at. We look forward to supporting the second Sports Fest in April to increase the number of disabled people who are active for life”.

Steve Brailey chief executive of Sheffield International Venues (SIV), which operates the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, said: ““We are extremely proud to be hosting the ParalympicsGB Sports Fest. It will be a great opportunity for disabled people to try out different sports and also find out more about coaching, volunteering or officiating.

“We have a strong association with disability sport. At London 2012, ParalympicsGB athletes who trained at our world-class facilities won six medals so it is fitting that we should be chosen to host this fantastic event.

“Our venues support both elite competitors and the local community. During London 2012, we put on a series of free taster sessions in Paralympic sports and they were extremely popular. We hope the Sports Fest will build on this and inspire even more disabled people to get involved with sport.”

The ParalympicsGB Sports Fest will go to different regions in the UK in 2013 and 2014. Register for the Sheffield event or for more information on future events via www.paralympics.org.uk.

BPA welcomes decision on host broadcasting rights

posabilitymagazine — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:26:00 +0000

The British Paralympic Association congratulates Channel 4 on their appointment as UK host broadcaster for the 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association said: “Whilst this is clearly huge news for the Paralympic movement internationally, as it shows other broadcasters around the world that there is a real market for Paralympic sport, for us in the UK it demonstrates that 2012 really was a ground breaking year. The Paralympic movement in our country has never been stronger and we’ve always said we wanted 2012 to be a launch pad to developing it further. So to have our broadcaster in place so far ahead of the next two Paralympic Games and with a commitment to cover events in the build up to them is a fantastic place to be.

“Our thanks go to the IPC for working hard on securing this and our congratulations to Channel 4 for winning the rights against stiff competition. Their dedication and passion for the Paralympics is clear for all to see and we look forward to working with them over the next four years to carry on the job that we have started so successfully in London 2012.”

The deal with Channel 4 includes multi-platform broadcast rights within the UK.

Channel 4 has committed to screening over 45 hours of coverage from the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, the most ever by a British broadcaster. For Rio 2016 Channel 4 is planning to screen a minimum of 200 broadcast hours across Channel 4’s portfolio, including live coverage, highlights and shows such as The Last Leg.

Amongst Channel 4’s commitments announced are:

-   Coverage of major international disability sport events
-   The creation a major theatrical documentary, supported by Film 4 Production
-   Continuation of its award winning marketing campaigns over the next four years
-   Continuation of its work on developed disabled presenting talent
-   The employment an International Ambassador for Paralympic Media, who can offer a free consultancy service to broadcasters of Paralympic Sport in developing and emergent countries.

www.paralympics.org.uk

BPA welcomes decision on host broadcasting rights

posabilitymagazine — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:42:52 +0000

The British Paralympic Association congratulates Channel 4 on their appointment as UK host broadcaster for the 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association said:

“Whilst this is clearly huge news for the Paralympic movement internationally, as it shows other broadcasters around the world that there is a real market for Paralympic sport, for us in the UK it demonstrates that 2012 really was a ground breaking year. The Paralympic movement in our country has never been stronger and we’ve always said we wanted 2012 to be a launch pad to developing it further. So to have our broadcaster in place so far ahead of the next two Paralympic Games and with a commitment to cover events in the build up to them is a fantastic place to be.

The deal with Channel 4 includes multi-platform broadcast rights within the UK.

Amongst Channel 4’s commitments announced are:
-   Coverage of major international disability sport events
-   The creation a major theatrical documentary, supported by Film 4 Production
-   Continuation of its award winning marketing campaigns over the next four years
-   Continuation of its work on developed disabled presenting talent
-   The employment an International Ambassador for Paralympic Media, who can offer a free consultancy service to broadcasters of Paralympic Sport in developing and emergent countries.

The IPC announced their decision on broadcast rights earlier today.