Wales's top theme park is to sponsor a new development in disability sport in Pembrokeshire.
Following the success of last year's SoccerAbility League sponsored by Oakwood Park, the Pembrokeshire theme park is this year donating nearly £4,000 towards a new MultiSports League. The sponsorship from Oakwood Park is being matched pound for pound by the Sports Council for Wales.
Said disability sports development officer for Pembrokeshire, Rebecca Bateman: "Oakwood's commitment to supporting disability sport once again means that children with disabilities across the county can access the best sporting opportunities in an atmosphere that will encourage achievement but, above all, be fun for all."
The £7,400 in sponsorship money will enable three weekly clubs to run between September 2001 to July 2002, offering sporting opportunities to young people between the ages of six and 16 years who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn new skills amongst their peers.
The clubs in Milford Haven, Pembroke and Fishguard will offer a variety of disability sports in six-week blocks, hopefully ending with an inter-club competition. The first sport on offer is football, the second will be rugby, and future possibilities include hockey, basketball and tennis.
Each sport will be taught at different levels by qualified coaches and will aim to integrate children of all ages and abilities.
Earlier this year, the Oakwood SoccerAbility League hosted a regional football festival in Tenby in which nine teams from all over South Wales competed. The event was a huge success and has hopefully paved the way for further initiatives to increase opportunities for competitive success.
For further information on disability sports provision in Pembrokeshire, please contact Rebecca Bateman on 01437 776274 (Weds - Fri).