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Optua, a charity which
provides a wide range of services for disabled people across Suffolk,
staged their Disability Sport Showcase Day on Saturday 23 July.
The Eastern Area staged
the judo activities as the all-day event gave people the chance
to try a range of other disability sports including boccia and
football.
The participants were aged
from 14 to 45 and disabilities included visual, hearing and learning
impairments.
Judo’s well-received
demonstration and training sessions were led by Eastern Area coach
David Oates who was supported by his stepdaughter Gemma Moore,
15, a member of the women’s Eastern Area team that took bronze
at the National Senior Teams Championship two weeks ago.
"We have supported
this event since 2006 and have developed quite a good relationship
with the group,” said David Oates.
"Although run in Suffolk
this event is run for the whole of East Anglia and the Optua group
hold a 2012 inspire award.
"This year was really
successful and many of the participants from the morning session
actually came back for second go in the afternoon.
"In the future it
is my ambition to get a dedicated regular judo session for disabled
people in the area and I hope to take advantage of our relationship
with Optua to help get this of the ground.”
David Finn, Optua’s Leisure
Services Manager, said: “On behalf of everyone here at Optua I
would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who helped
make the day happen on Saturday, we just simply could not do this
without your help, enthusiasm, organisation and professionalism.
"The feedback we have
received so far indicates that the day was a great success and
all the sessions were enjoyed by those who took part.”
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