Young Wrexham

Disability and Sport

Although disabled people were traditionally not expected to be able to take part in sport, today many thousands across the world enjoy activities on both a recreational and competitive scale.

There is a wide range of sports in which physically and mentally challenged people can take part. These include both activities that are adapted for people with disabilities and those that are specifically designed for them.

Disabled people have their own international competitions, but in recent years, have been integrated into the world's major sporting events. Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD) now compete in the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW)

• The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW) is a pan-disability national governing body that aims to promote and develop quality sports opportunities
• FDSW comprises National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs) and sports specific organisations such as Wheelchair Tennis, Sledge Hockey, Cricket, and Badminton etc
• FDSW runs a National Performance Programme supporting emerging and elite disabled athletes and teams via a range of talent identification schemes
• FDSW has five focus sports: table tennis, power lifting, swimming, athletics and archery

Disability Sport Cymru

• Disability Sport Cymru is a joint initiative between FDSW, the Sports Council for Wales and local authorities in Wales
• The programme is aimed at developing quality based sporting and physical activity opportunities for disabled people throughout Wales
• Disability Sport Wales also seeks to promote and develop opportunities specifically within boccia, football, cricket, sledge hockey, wheelchair rugby, badminton and wheelchair tennis
• In addition to these sports, each local authority has a varied programme of sporting opportunities that can be accessed by disabled participants