On Saturday 16 May, Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre hosted the East Region Disability Championship. The competition has been running for 14 years and this is the first year the Centre, managed by Chelmsford Borough Council, has hosted the big event. 22 May 2009
Over 200 athletes took part in this prestigious regional event that caters for athletes with physical, visual and hearing impairments plus those athletes with learning disabilities. Over 20 of those athletes were from the 'Flyers' and 'Disability Athletics Club', based at Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre. Many of the athletes were hoping to achieve qualifying times and distances to reach the nationals in June this year and possibly attend the UK School Games. The Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Tony Sach, who attended part of the day to watch, commented: "For these children, the competition provided an opportunity to put all their hard training to good use and to see how they compared against like-minded athletes from other parts of the region." The result was an outstanding success – 14 gold medals, 12 silver medals and two bronze medals giving an overall of 28 medals. The top achieving athlete was Joshua Bain an Under 15's star from The Flyers who demonstrated his all round athletics ability by competing in running and throwing events throughout. Joshua won three gold medals in javelin with a 17.55m throw, shot putt with a 8.13m throw and Discus with a 18.15m throw, and a silver medal in the 100 metre sprint. Joshua is hoping to qualify to the nationals at Blackpool in July. Also in the U15 age group, Joe Land demonstrated a high score in the precision club throw with a score of 48 points. Joe competed last year in the nationals and beat the national record. In the Under 17 age category Joshua Beaumont from the Flyers and Saturday Athletics Club competed in Grip Ball Throw. This was the first event Joshua had competed in and came second with a fantastic throw of 17.49m. The Flyers are one of the Mayor's chosen charities, along with Kids Inspire and The J's Hospice. To find out more about athletics opportunities or becoming part of a club for children with disabilities, please contact Karen Stephanou, Athletics Development Officer on 01245 605666. Alternatively, please visit Chelmsford Borough Council's website at: Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre.
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