New 'Disability Sports Hub' in Mid Ulster on track

by Gráinne Connolly

The development of a new 'Disability Sports Hub' is on track in Mid Ulster. 

The hub, which will be one of 11 established across Northern Ireland, will be in Cookstown's Mid Ulster Sports Arena. 

(Mid Ulster Sports Arena, site of new Disability hub)

There will be specialist equipment and programme of activities designed to encourage and support people with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity. 

The project is being developed by Mid Ulster District Council, in partnership with Disability Sport NI.; and is the first of its kind locally.

It will hopefully open up opportunities to people with disabilities who traditionally find it more difficult to access leisure facilities and programmes. 

Chair of the Council's Development Committee, Councillor Trevor Wilson has welcomed progress towards the new hub. 

He says: 

"This initiative will make specialised equipment available from multi-sport and track wheelchairs, to adapted adult and children cycles, together with Boccia sets and sensory items, such as flashing bounce balls and low compression tennis balls, all of which help to increase the options to participate in sport for people with disabilities. 

"At the same time, trained coaches will be devising and delivering organised activities, from taster sessions for particular sports to inclusive cycling programmes. 

"This is an important addition to our sports development work and I look forward to seeing the hub becomiing operational."

Disability Sport NI are also providing equipment to the value of £45,000 for the project, with the Council funding training and operational management costs.