By Tom Degun

Any-Body_Month_logoFebruary 23 - A University of Nottingham initiative, designed to raise awareness of disability sport among students and the local community, has received the Inspire 2012 Mark for its Paralympic values.


The project, titled the Any-Body Month, sees coaches from national governing bodies and regional sports groups provide their expertise to everybody that turns up to try out new sports, while a number of the University's sports clubs help with the sessions and learn how to make their own clubs more inclusive for people with a disability.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012, said: "Any-Body Month is encouraging students, community members and those with a disability to fulfil their potential.

"I am proud that partners such as The University of Nottingham are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in sport no matter what a person's abilities."

The sports on offer in the Any-Body Month, which will be staged for the second time in March after the inaugural event was staged last year, have been specifically chosen to enable people of all abilities to take part.

This year the sports include horse riding, wheelchair rugby and Tai Chi Jubilee on March 19 as well as powerchair football and judo on March 26.

In addition, tennis, badminton and aqua fit representatives of other universities, including Loughborough and Nottingham Trent, have been invited to the event along with members of the local community to see how they could initiate similar projects for their students.

If successful, the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), who gave the Any-Body Month the 'Diversity in Sport Award' in 2010, will roll out the initiative with higher education providers nationwide.

Hannah Webber, Sports Disability Officer at The University of Nottingham, said: "This event aims to fill that gap by educating the university sports clubs on how to make their offering more inclusive through the delivery of bespoke sessions that are tailored to address some of the barriers to participation and by clear pathways and exit routes into continued activity beyond the ABM event.

"In 2010 approximately 100 students got involved and we hope to build on this in 2011.

"The event is designed to provide all students with a number of positive experiences, which will give them a more complete experience of University life.

"They will also benefit through volunteering opportunities and gain a greater understanding of the barriers faced by disabled people playing sport."

Athletic Union Officer Dave Heads added: "The University of Nottingham Students' Union is committed to providing opportunities for all students, whatever their interests or abilities, to get involved in University life and to demonstrate their skills and potential.

"Any-Body Month is a brilliant event, as it gives everyone the chance to access sporting activities in a supportive environment where the aim is simply to have fun and try something new."

As well as enabling students of all abilities to get involved in sport, Any-Body Month is open to members of the local community who are welcome to experience new sports, make use of university facilities and connect with students as either a participant or volunteer.

Any-Body Month is free for anybody to attend, thanks to funding from the University of Nottingham's Annual Fund, Sport Nottinghamshire and the Student's Union Disability Students Network.

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