We are very keen to encourage students with disabilities to join the club. All our socials are in wheelchair accessible locations, and we will make every effort to ensure that all members are given the support they need to fulfil their potential in athletics.
If you struggle to participate in the club training sessions, we will try to put you in contact with one of the many disability sport organisations in the area so that you can get the coaching you need. Students who require physical assistance can take advantage of the University’s Any Buddy Scheme, a volunteering scheme in which you will be paired up with another student, who will help you to complete your training sessions.
Whether you are experienced in athletics, or want to try it for the first time at University, we have the local contacts to provide expertise in disability athletics, with experience from grassroots to elite level. Through working with local organisations such as CP Sport and the Nottingham County Counsel disability sport department, we aim to make sure that students with disabilities can access the athletics coaching they require, whilst still feeling very much part of UONAC.
CP Sport is an organisation that creates sporting opportunities for people with cerebral palsy. Based in Nottingham, they run a series of disability athletics Grand Prixs every year, which are open to athletes of all standards. They also run a series of athletics training days throughout the winter months, all based at the Harvey Hadden Stadium in Nottingham, which are a great place for people new to athletics to start out. They have a number of highly experienced disability athletics coaches, who will be able to point you in the right direction whatever the nature of your disability.
Nottingham County Council is widely recognised as the best county council in the country for disability sport. With their vast experience in getting people with disabilities into grassroots sport, they will be an ideal resource if you need to find a disability-specific coach in the local area.
The Any Buddy Scheme is a scheme through which other students at the University can volunteer to help students with disabilities take part in sporting activities. This can be anything from helping you set up a machine in the gym to helping you set up your throwing frame if you are a seated thrower. This usually constitutes a weekly session, in which you will meet up with your buddy for a couple of hours.
From 2017 onwards, BUCS will be including disability athletics events in its national indoor and outdoor championships. There will only be a limited number of events, and qualification standards may be high, but any students who achieve the qualification standards will certainly be considered for selection to represent the University at the championships.
Still Not sure?
Here from our very own alumni Thomas Green, GB International athlete in the Club throw F32:
“As a member of UONAC, I can thoroughly recommend joining the club. I have always felt very included, and there is a great camaraderie between the members. The buddying scheme has worked really well for me. Last year I worked with two buddies for a gym session per week each, and found them both really easy to work with and get along with. Their assistance allowed me to use a lot of machines in the gym that I would otherwise have had difficulty setting up, which resulted in me making huge improvements in my strength and fitness last year.”
UoN Athletics 