Inclusive Sport in Bexley

6 September 2012

With the Paralympic Games now in full swing, the London Borough of Bexley is keen for its residents to know about the range of disability sport and leisure opportunities available locally.

Cllr Don Massey, Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, explains: "There are several clubs and organisations in Bexley that have supported inclusive sport for many years, helping people to keep active irrespective of their disability."

The borough's leisure centres host a number of activities - Boccia, an adapted target sport, is played weekly at Sidcup Leisure Centre and Charlton Athletic Community Trust's 'Ability Counts' programme is well established at Crook Log.

A number of local voluntary sports clubs actively encourage participation from disabled people.

"Gymnastics is extremely popular," added Cllr Massey. "Falcon Spartak Gymnastics Club in Sidcup provides classes for people with learning difficulties. The Europa Centre, one of our Olympic legacy sites, will also host recreational gymnastics for people with various disabilities once it reopens its new Crayford facility in October."

For Watersports enthusiasts, Erith Yacht Club, another Olympic legacy club, has an accredited 'Sailability' centre and can tailor courses for disabled people. It also has specially adapted boats, which provide greater stability for sailors.

Mount Mascal Stables in Bexley also has facilities for riders with special needs - catering for adults and children from four years upwards.

The Council's Sporting Best elite athlete programme, sponsored by Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd, includes three talented young people with disabilities. Alex Clifford and Rowena Francis are both nationally ranked Gymnasts whilst Sarah-Louise Casey is a former world record holder in swimming for people with Down Syndrome.

For more information about sport and physical activity in Bexley for people with disabilities, call 020 3045 4881 or use the links on the right hand side. Any clubs that would like to add details of activities they run, can do so through these contact details too.