College Apprentices Support World Para Athletics Championships
Engineering apprentices at Riverside College are helping to support inspirational athletes at the World Para Athletics Championships after creating a seated ‘throwing frame’ which allows wheelchair users to experience throwing sports.
The talented apprentices created the steel structure at the engineering workshops at Riverside College matching strict specification guidelines and using materials which were supplied by GETRAG FORD Transmissions, one of the world’s leading producers of vehicle transmissions.
The frame is being used at the Para Athletics Stand within ‘Hero Village’ at London’s Olympic Stadium, from July 14th to July 23rd. The new frame is a welcome addition to the event as no support frame has previously been used and people wishing to partake would use their own wheelchairs which risked the chair being damaged.
The busy sporting attraction attracts over 60,000 spectators including 250 schools from around the UK. Over 4000 children and adults have tried out the frame so far with lots of excellent feedback received.
Following the games, the frame will be used in mainstream and special education schools to support disabled aspiring athletes. It will also be utilised at Para Athletic Introduction days where disabled people who are interested in competing can come along and try out all the events.
Shelley Holroyd, Parallel Success Coordinator at British Athletics, is responsible for running the stand where the frame is being utilised. She said “Thank you so much to all involved for the support frame, it will mean a lot to those who use it. I have had lots of positive comments from those who have used it and other countries who are competing have said how well made it is which is fantastic.”
Wes Jacklin, Senior Director at GETRAG FORD Transmissions, commented “It’s great to see such a successful project and contribution from the apprentices and college, thank you.”
http://www.paraathleticschampionships.com
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