City of York Council’s sport and active leisure team is running a brand new course for disabled people who would like to qualify to assist as volunteers at sports clubs.

An information day about the course is being held in the community room at Oaklands Sports Centre this Friday 15 June from 10am until 12 noon, and anyone who thinks that they may be interested is welcome to go along.

The course is aimed at disabled people over the age of 14 who are interested in assisting sports clubs or sessions in York.  It will last for 14 weeks and be held on Fridays from 10am until 12 noon, starting on Friday 22 June.

Entitled ‘Sporting Voices’, the course is being run by Tony Stones from the Federation of Disability Sport and will be free of charge to all participants.  At the end of the course, those taking part will receive a ‘Sports Committee Training for Participants and Enablers’ qualification, which is accredited by the Open College Network.  The course will cover a number of modules, including sports events planning, communication and working on a sports committee.  As part of the course, delegates will be encouraged to plan their own sports event and run it.

Tony commented: "This course is ideal for those with an interest in sports volunteering.  In the past delegates have gone on to set their own clubs up and secure funding, or taken on a role in a committee within a sporting environment.  We’d love to see anyone on Friday who thinks this may be for them!"

For more information go along to Oaklands on Cornlands Road in Acomb from 10am on 15 June or call Caroline England, City of York Council’s disability sports coach, on 07769 880108.

(ENDS)