SportsAble crown very first Games champions

By James Walker-Roberts • Published 28 Jun 2012 14:54 0 Comments

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ATHLETES from around Berkshire competed in the first ever SportsAble Games last weekend, writes James Walker-Roberts.

SportsAble - formerly known as Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead District Sports Association for the Disabled (WAMDSAD) - provides sports, activities and facilities to people with disabilities in the UK.

And teams from across the South East descended on its headquarters in Braywick for a day-long competition that saw medals being awarded in sports ranging from club, javelin and discus to air weapons, boccia and table tennis.

Competitors young and old entered into categories according to ability with SportsAble athletes medalling in almost every one of the 16 events.

Slough's Jen Brown scooped three gold medals in table tennis and slalom consist and speed while Alan Clarke of Maidenhead won gold in the shot.

Daniel German of Slough took top honours in the kurling but had to settle for silver in the javelin as Windsor's Helen Johnson landed table tennis silver and air pistol bronze.

Sue Johnson, also of Windsor, won gold in the javelin and discus but failed in her attempt of a clean sweep - winning silver in the shot.

Slough-based David Pengelly was awarded bronze in the skittles and gold in the shot and discus while Maidenhead's Yoosof Sawal took silver in the boccia.

Maidenhead's Ryan Thorpe came away from the Games with an incredible five medals, winning gold in the petanque, javelin and boccia and silver in the shot and discus.

Finaly, Anton Walton of Burnham landed gold in the air rifle and precision club and silver in the bean bag and distance club.

During the medal ceremony, SportsAble president John Jenkins said: "It is a privilege and an honour to be the president of SportsAble and it's great to welcome clubs here to us for our first SportsAble Games.

"The annual Games is the highlight of our sporting calendar and we enjoy meeting friends from clubs all over the south. It's a day of fun and a day of competition - two things that we embody here at SportsAble.

"The day doesn't just happen. It takes a great deal of planning and preparation and countless volunteers on the day to ensure the smooth running of the event.

"My thanks to sports manager Nick Gibbs, chairman and director of sport Vivienne Davies, to Chris Humphris for the scoring, to Dora West for the fundraising, to Trevor Montaque for site and bar management and to all of our sports leaders and volunteers.

"The event has been a huge success and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year."

Two trophies awarded on the day for best overall team and track and field achievements went to SportsAble.

Collecting the trophies on the club's behalf were up-and-coming junior sports stars Oliver Beauchamp, Scott Denton, Daniel German, Matthew McAllister and Tia Ruel.

** See Friday's Observer for a SportsAble Games picture special **

** Follow the Observer on Twitter at Observer_sports **

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