Para Games 2019

Seahaven Para Games 2019

Seaford Rotary was again one of the sponsors of the eighth annual Seahaven Para Games at the Downs Leisure Centre in Seaford, an event which gives the Club the opportunity to support disabled people in our community. The games are non-competitive, and this year attracted a record 50 participants, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the day. Dignatories who attended included the Mayor of Seaford Nazish Adil, Mayor of  Newhaven Graham Amy, the Deputy Mayor of Peacehaven and Keith Ross, President of Seaford Rotary.

The morning session  started off in the Sports Hall with Seated Volleyball run by Albion in the Community, Special Olympic Sports, Sensory Circuits run by Defiant Sports and Wheelchair Basketball run by Sussex Bears, Alongside this, in the Studio, was Boccia and, a bit later, Table Cricket run by Sussex Cricket Foundation.

After lunch, as usual provided by Sainsbury’s, there was a Handcycling Presentation given by Rob Groves, with the opportunity for participants to have a go for themselves and there was also Kurling run by Seaford Kurlers in the Sports Hall. There was Table Tennis in Sutton Hall and, outside, Cycling without Age were giving rides in a Trishaw. Later in the Studio there was an Exercise to Music class attended by many of the participants.

What a wide range of activities! In all the years that the Para Games have been held I cannot recall as much activity going on. The only disappointment was that, due to the large numbers, the Wheelchair Slalom couldn’t take place.

To close the day, Seaford Town Crier Peter White announced the closing ceremony, in his own inimitable way. Liz Allsobrook of Wave Leisure thanked all the people who had made the day such a success, and certificates and medals were presented to all the participants by disabled adventurer Rob Groves with President Keith Ross and Paul Vaesen, both from Seaford Rotary. The participants then, rather wearily, made their way home, helped to a large extent by CTLA.

What a fantastic day!