Junior Athletes competing in Blackpool

National Junior Athletics Championships 2003

DISABILITY SPORT ENGLAND, SUPPORTED BY LEISURE CONNECTION LTD, IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE NATIONAL JUNIOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL BE HELD ON 12th-13th JULY 2003 AT STANLEY PARK, BLACKPOOL.

This National event is one of the highest attended for young people with disabilities in athletics. 370 young athletes aged between 12-20 years old will compete in a weekend of track and field events. To compete at this event, athletes would have qualified at regional competitions. They will now take centre stage amongst Britain's most prestigious junior athletes this weekend.

Exciting talent performing over the weekend includes Shelly Woods from Blackpool who is claimed to be the next Tanni Grey-Thompson. She has a brilliant record in winning the Adidas Mini London Wheelchair Marathon. Also with the same formidable record- Mark Rostron from Newcastle.

Lloyd Upsdell- "the glamour boy of disability athletics"- is too old this year to participate in the junior event, but will be present as he is putting his talent back into the sport. He will be supporting the Eastern region youngsters with coaching during the competition. The Paralympian is a renowned sprinter and looking forward to an exciting year ahead with Athens 2004 getting closer. He will open the event.

Leisure Connection is proud to be associated with Disability Sport England and the National Junior Athletics Championships. They run 120 sports centres across Britain, including the National Sport England venues. One of these is the newly renovated Stoke Mandeville Stadium. Therefore, they realise the importance of developing more opportunities for people to participate in sport and leisure activities.

Also supporting the event is Lions Club International, who raise money annually to help fund the juniors, as well as Blackpool Borough Council. Both parties are long established supporters of this huge event.

Nationwide will be again awarding sports bursaries to 2 talented athletes- a scheme set up to encourage talent in young disabled sports stars. The winning region will also receive an award on 3rd December- International Day for Disabled people.

Our athletics programme focuses on skills and talent development aswell as building confidence through the medium of sport. We appreciate the continued support from all sponsors, without whose assistance, we would not be able to provide top sporting opportunities for disabled sports people. At DSE we want to help realise as many disabled athletes sporting aspirations as possible, enabling them to reach their full potential. If you are interested in athletics or want to take part in our events please contact our national office.

Saturday  
9.45am Opening Ceremony
10am    First event
5pm      Close
Sunday 
9.30am First Event
1pm approx Presentations

Spectators and media are welcome to attend free of charge.
Media Contact: Sarah Marl  020 8801 4466

Disability Sport England co-ordinates 14 National Championships- making us the number one events agency in the country.  Our system for multi-disability competition is renowned and respected around the world. We are proud of the millions of disabled sportspeople who are constantly coming through our programmes.