Highland junior festival introduces youngsters to sport

DATE: Saturday 4 March 2000

TIME: 10.00am - 5pm

VENUE: Inverness Sports Centre, Bught Drive, Inverness.

As part of an initiative to give more young people with a disability a chance to enjoy sport, Highland Disability Sport are organising a 'come and try' sports opportunity this Saturday in Inverness.

The Highland Junior Festival of Sport is open to all youngsters with a physical disability or visual impairement, between the ages of 5 and 16.

"We believe that sporting opportunities are something that should be available to everyone, irrespective of where they live in Scotland."

The day will start at 10.00am with opportunities to try Judo, Football, Short Tennis, Boccia and Swimming. 

In the afternoon the children, along with their parents and families, are invited as guests to attend Ross County FC for their home match against Stenhousemuir. 

The Festival is being organised by Highland Disability Sport as part of the national Royal Mail funded programme, 'Ready Willing & Able for Sport', aimed at developing disability sport.  Royal Mail have committed over £35,000 to the Scotland-wide programme for 1999/2000.

Alastair Kidd, Chairman of Highland Disability Sport, said: "Support from Royal Mail and sportscotland gives us the chance to run a Festival that will enable young people with disabilities from across the Highlands to come together and experience a range of fun and exciting sports. 

"From this 'come and try' experience, we also hope links will be made with the local clubs and sports that will enable these youngsters to continue this participation."

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, adds, "We believe that sporting opportunities are something that should be available to everyone, irrespective of where they live in Scotland.  This is even more important if they have special needs that might exclude them from more mainstream opportunities.

"Next week sees the launch of an exciting new multi-agency strategy aimed at co-ordinating sporting opportunities for everyone in the Highlands. With Highland Disability Sport involved in its development, the youngsters attending this Festival can look forward to even more opportunities in the future to experience the fun and excitement that sport can offer."