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active together

More sports join in
There are now many mixed ability rugby
teams across the UK and the world, and
IMAS has expanded beyond rugby into
other sports including boxing, cricket,
swimming, rowing and football.
We continue to look for new
opportunities in new countries and sports
to enable greater participation for
everyone worldwide.
Helen Howes, a mixed ability
swimming coach who has multiple
sclerosis, is a great example of a champion
for inclusion.
She came along to one of our
educational sessions, asked whether IMAS
had any mixed ability swimming sessions Team equality: the Bumble Bees playing against the Keighley Stags, a local non-disabled side – Mark
and, when she found out there were “Gooders” Goodwin claims the ball in front of Ahsan Sakandar (yellow hat)
none, set up sessions in her local pool.
These were going from strength to One of these stories highlights Tom Katrina Dobson, one of our first female
strength before the pandemic hit. Beattie, who was really struggling without IMAS trainers, found ways to cope during
Howes has some great stories to tell of his regular physical activity and social lockdown by following Joe Wicks’ daily
the progress her class has made, with one contact through rugby. workouts, going out on her own for walks
participant moving from having very little He was introduced to mixed ability and keeping in touch with friends and
confidence and staying at the edge of when he moved to Yorkshire and was family by video calls.
the pool in the shallow end to now being delighted to be able to play rugby with his
able to swim a length. These amazing brother, which had never been possible in Back and active
achievements are possible through mixed his previous clubs because his brother did This summer, many clubs in the UK are
ability sports. not have a disability so was kept planning to return to activity. At IMAS, we
The pandemic has had a major impact separated from him. are passionate about a return that is
on sports and physical activity across the Without his rugby, Beattie found both inclusive and are encouraging clubs to
UK, with lockdowns forcing many clubs to his mental and physical health were build back fairer by looking at ways to
stop training, change their rules to limit suffering so he had to find new ways to incorporate mixed ability teams.
contact and reduce the social interaction keep active. These included walking along Sport and physical activity provide a
between players as much as possible. the canal near his home, taking part in great number of physical and mental
This has meant that, for the past online exercise activities and continuing health benefits and IMAS strongly believes
18 months, our community clubs have his classes with IMAS via the internet everyone should have the opportunity to
been hit hard and many may struggle throughout multiple lockdowns. be a full member of their local club.
to survive. Rupert Spode, another IMAS trainer, Many of us at IMAS have found it hard
IMAS wants to support these clubs also found the multiple lockdowns hard when we have been unable to keep
to “build back fairer” and is working and was pleased he was able to keep up active, so we understand how important it
with clubs to provide mixed ability to date with his friends at IMAS through is for anyone who wants to take part to
training, continued support and mixed class calls every Wednesday. He also took be included.
ability accreditation. up photography and cooking to keep busy We are always open to working with
This should help them to reach out into while he could not be active outside with like-minded partners to grow mixed
their communities and increase their his friends and team mates. He is said to ability sports and would love them and
membership by looking beyond their cook up a fantastic sausage roll. anyone interested in joining or helping to
usual area and extend their arms around start a mixed ability team to get in touch
people who have faced barriers to via our website or social media channels.
participation for any reason. These will The mixed ability manifesto involves:
include players with learning disabilities health and happiness; equal participation;
who, perhaps, have been shielding for a inclusion and equality; rules and
long time or are feeling concerned and regulations; membership and belonging;
scared about returning to life as we and breaking down barriers. Read about it
knew it. and sign it at www.mixedabilitysports.
While physical activity and social org/mixed-ability-manifesto. n
contact have been difficult to continue l Contact IMAS:
through some parts of the pandemic, our  www.mixedabilitysports.org
IMAS trainers have shared their stories of t @IMAS_sport4all
how lockdowns affected them and what f @MixedAbilitySports
they did to try to improve their situation.  imas_sport4all
The videos can be found on our the IMAS
YouTube channel at https://tinyurl. Katrina Dobson, one of the first female IMAS Kelly Heathcote is business development
com/4kvzv77z. trainers, keeps active during lockdown manager at IMAS

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 34 No 4 | Summer 2021 17