Disability sport is booming in Powys
With the Paralympic Games now underway, Sport Powys has revealed that local opportunities for disabled people have grown exponentially over the last twenty years.
From archery and athletics to tennis and triathlon, Powys has the highest number of Insport clubs of any local authority in Wales. Insport is a programme devised by Disability Sport Wales to support the sports and leisure sectors in providing inclusive opportunities.
Beverley Tucker is the Disability Sport and Active Communities Officer for Powys. She was appointed to the role in 2001. She says:
“Back then, there were about 500 sessions a year on offer for people with disabilities in Powys. That’s 500 times someone could take part in a disability or inclusive session. Now, that figure is at 28,000 and we have a wide variety of sports too. We have seen rapid growth in the number of community programmes which means that disabled people across the county now have far greater choice and are more likely to find a sport they love.
“It’s not about necessarily about becoming a Paralympian because not everyone wants to compete at the top level. It’s about getting active, meeting new people and looking after your health and wellbeing. There is still work to do of course and we are working hard with sports clubs, schools and social care.
Powys has made huge strides in developing inclusive sport across the county which has earned the local authority an insport silver award.
The Welsh Government’s Help Us Help You campaign is encouraging people to make small changes to help them lead healthier lifestyles such as being more active and eating healthier.
Jane Jones, Occupational Therapy Team Leader from Powys Teaching Health Board explains:
“We all know that moving more and getting active is good for our physical health. It’s important to keep our joints and muscles moving and we have a good range of clubs and activities in Powys which provide a safe, supportive environment.”
Archery
Fancy channelling your inner Robin Hood? Then head to Radnor Foresters, an inclusive archery club for all ages and abilities based at Llandrindod Wells Sports Centre. For more information, visit the Radnor Foresters page on Facebook or call 01597 824 766.
Athletics
If track and field is more your thing, you will find athletics clubs in Brecon and Newtown. They are both inclusive clubs so cater for all abilities but you do have to be aged nine or over to attend the sessions in Brecon. For more information, visit www.breconac..org.uk or call 01874 623 677. For Maldwyn Athletics Club, visit www.maldwynharriers.org.uk or call 01686 628 771.
Basketball
Want to shoot hoops? There are two basketball clubs in Powys. The Mid Wales Meteors is a wheelchair basketball club based in Brecon and they also have a training hub in Newtown. There is also a Special Olympics basketball club in Brecon for people with learning disabilities. You can find Mid Wales Meteors on Facebook or email midwalesmeteors@gmail.com. For the Special Olympics sessions, call Brecon Leisure Centre on 01874 623 677 or search for Brecon Integrated Sports on Facebook.
Boccia
Boccia is a sport that is great for beginners as the rules are simple. It is a target sport played indoors with soft leather balls. N-Able Sports Club runs sessions for seniors at Maldwyn Leisure Centre. Contact Steve Cox on 01686 430620 for more information.
Bowls
Bowls is a sport which where people with a disability can play and compete with or against non-disabled bowlers. Talgarth Bowling Club runs inclusive sessions for all ages and abilities. To find out more, get in touch with Audrey Micklewright on 01874 711 458 or email Audrey.micklewright@gmail.com. Alternatively, Radnor Indoor Bowls Association offers disability-specific sessions. You can find out more by calling 01597 825 014 or ribasecretary@gmail.com.
Cycling
Want your fun on two wheels? Hafren Cycling Club offers inclusive sessions for juniors and adults. You can find out more by visiting www.hafren.cc or email juniors@hafren.cc
Carriage Driving
Yes, even the sport made popular by Prince Philip is on offer in Powys. Eppynt Carriage Club runs inclusive sessions for people of all ages and it is a great sport for the whole family. Visit www.eppyntcarriageclub.weebly.co.uk or contact Steve Price on 07816 183 430. Well, if it’s good enough for the Royals…
Football
Football crazy? Football mad? Cwm Wanderers is based in Ystradgynlais and offers both inclusive and disability-only football. Find out more by searching for Cwm Wanderers on Facebook or email cwmwanderersasd@gmail.com. Meanwhile, Builth Wells JFC also provides inclusive football and can be found on Facebook.
Golf
If you want to get into the swing of things, there are two clubs who offer inclusive golf in Powys. Lakeside Golf Course, which also has a driving range, is suitable for all ages and can be contacted on 01686 640 909. Maldwyn Dragons in Newtown runs sessions for juniors. Email admin@maldwyndragons.org.uk for more information.
Gymnastics
There are three clubs which offer inclusive gymnastics sessions. In Newtown, Maldwyn Dragons is available for juniors. Email admin@maldwyndragons.org.uk to find out more. Youngsters can also head to East Radnor Gymnastics Club. Just email jody.owen@freedom-leisure.co.uk or call 01544 260 302. Finally, Gwernyfed Gymnastics near Brecon runs sessions for adults and juniors. Email gwernyfedgymnastics@outlook.com or call 07932 808 635 for more information.
Hockey
Why not give hockey a try with the friendly, sociable Gwernyfed Ladies who offer junior and adult opportunities. Contact the club secretary on 07968 214 769.
Horseriding
The fantastic Bryngwyn Riding School lies on the Herefordshire/Powys border. The small, family run, friendly stable offers lessons, holidays and hacks for riders of all abilities. There are Riding for the Disabled sessions for children and adults with qualified instructors and mature, quiet ponies and horses. Visit www.ridinginwales.com or call 01497 851 699.
Karate
If you want to get your kicks in sport, then maybe karate is for you? Lee Taylor Karate runs inclusive sessions for juniors in Presteigne, Llanidloes and Rhayader. Find out more at www.leetaylorkarate.co.uk or call Lee on 01544260799 or 07976 914617
Kayaking
If watersports are your thing, why not try kayaking? Head to Brecon Canoe Club who run inclusive, indoor sessions at the local leisure centre. Contact 01874 623 677 or email breconintegrsport@gmail.com to find out how to get involved.
Multi-sport
Can’t decide on a sport? Don’t worry, Multi-sport clubs provide opportunities to try a whole host of sports and activities such as athletics, boccia, football and basketball. There are two clubs in Powys – BISA in Brecon and N-Able in Newtown – who both throw open their doors to juniors and adults. If you fancy trying out what’s on offer in Brecon, contact 01874 623 677 or email breconintegrsport@gmail.com. For Newtown, call Steve Cox on 01686 628 771.
Judo
Fancy being a black belt? At Brecon and Builth, Irfon Judo Club welcomes children of all abilities. Call Richard Jones on 07817 008743 or email irfonjudoclub@hotmail.com
Rugby
If it’s rugby you’re after, then head on down to Llanidloes Rugby Ground who cater for all abilities from the age of six. Email dhiggs@wru.wales to find out more.
Sailing
Dreaming of open water? There are sailing opportunities waiting for you at Clywedog and Llangorse which are both RYA Sailability Centres. Sailability offers boating at your own pace, adapted for you with trained instructors. You need to be aged eight and above at Clywedog – call Keith Rollinson on 01686 640 305 or email keith@rollinson.me. For Llangorse, email info@llangorsesailing.com
Swimming
Swimming is a brilliant all-body workout. Five clubs across Powys offer sessions for people with disabilities. Brecon Swimming Club, Newtown Swimming Club and Welshpool Swimming Club offer inclusive sessions. Just call the pools for more information. Meanwhile, Glantawe Gulls at Ystradgynlais Sports Centre and Newtown Otters at Maldwyn Leisure Centre provide disability specific opportunities. For the Gulls, just contact the sports centre and for the Otters, call Colin Rees on 01686 624 364.
Tennis
Tennis is a sport that can be adapted to a wide range of disabilities. If you want to give it a go, Newtown Tennis serve up inclusive sessions for adults and juniors. Visit www.newtowntennis.co.uk or email info@newtowntennis.co.uk. Alternatively, Totally Tennis in is available at Crickhowell Sports Centre. Call Chris Hill on 07713 152 658.
Triathlon
Triathlon has seen a huge boom in popularity in recent years. If swimming, running and biking sounds good, try Brecon Triathlon Club. Just contact Brecon Leisure Centre on 01874 623 677. Like Brecon, Cerist Triathlon Club in Machynlleth only offers opportunities to adults. Visit www.ceristtriathlon.org.uk or call 01654 703 300.
*We try to ensure all information is as up to date as possible. Some clubs may be closed temporarily due to Covid-19. *