Surrey Canoe Club paddling an inclusive route

The goal for 2014-2017 is to run free of charge “All That” Inclusive Project to offer youth with an impairment the Paralympic sport of their choice, courses, online resources, quality coaching and mentoring, events and an annual conference.

Surrey Canoe Club was founded by the Canoe England S.E Coach of the Year 2013 and the highest qualified registered disabled coach in the British Canoe Union, Albert Donovan, in order to promote paddle sport by breaking down barriers to participation and support community engagement.

The club has a truly inclusive culture where diversity is valued and respected. Both people with an impairments and able-bodied people are equally represented both as coaches and on the volunteer management committee of the club.

Free of charge participation at Paddle Ability activities has inspired many people with an impairment to make a positive change in their lives and raise their sporting and personal aspirations. Donovan runs a mentoring programmes and offers coaching bursaries to achieve personal development and coach qualifications for a new career.

The club has received funding from Sport England, the Community Foundation for Surrey, and Help a London Child. The club was awarded the BCU Impact on Disability Canoeing National Award in 2010. It was shortlisted among the final three out of 50 applicants for the Project of the Year Pro Active London Award in 2011 and was also awarded the London 2012 Inspired Mark for the project “Paddle Spelthorne Disability Canoeing” in 2012.

Surrey Canoe Club members have provided feedback to learning resources forming part of Donovan’s research project to “Unlock the potential of the disabled paddler” submitted to the British Canoe Union as part of his BCU Level 5.

The club has been supported by Peace One Day and commemorates the UN International Day of Peace through sport, education and public awareness.

The goal for 2014-2017 is to run free of charge “All That” Inclusive Project to offer youth with an impairment the Paralympic sport of their choice, courses, online resources, quality coaching and mentoring, events and an annual conference.

To mark the United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the development arm of the IPC, the Agitos Foundation, is publishing stories where sport has helped to change lives or societies as part of the ChangeMakers campaign.

From 30 March until 13 April, stories will be posted on Paralympic.org and on the Agitos Foundation’s newly launched Facebook and Twitter pages.

Like or follow them to keep up to date with the latest news on the development of para-sport.