Junior Winners collect their awards at a special evening

Tuesday 3rd December was a special evening for everyone involved with DSE. A successful year of disability sport was nicely polished off with a glowing tribute to all concerned.

Nationwide kindly sponsored our annual reception on International Day for Disabled People in order to award the Nationwide Junior Sports Awards to the lucky winners. Fred Child, Customer Relationship Consultant for Nationwide, was present to congratulate the youngsters as they collected their bursaries to support their talent development. During his speech, he also announced the fantastic news that Nationwide has agreed to continue their support for 2003.

These prizes had been awarded throughout the year at National Junior Swimming, National Junior Athletics and Mini Games (for 8-12 year olds). The winners underlined the importance of supporting disabled youngsters to further their talent in sport.

At the end of the decade for disabled people (1983- 1992) the United National General Assembly passed a resolution declaring that 3rd December would be the International Day for Disabled People every year. Next year is also European Year of Disabled People, which will highlight various issues- one being sport.

Disability Sport England is the biggest charity to celebrate this day annually. It provides us with a great opportunity to commemorate disability sports achievements and thank the many volunteers, fundraisers, sponsors, celebrities and of course, all the competitors over the years, whose support is vital to DSE work.

Amongst the guests at the event were Chris Moon MBE, our President, a motivational speaker who was injured in a landmine disaster; Peter Shilton OBE; Paul Williams (Southampton FC and ex Coventry FC); David Busst (ex Coventry player, who broke his leg in a game against Manchester Utd and never played professionally again); Lloyd Upsdell (gold medal Paralympian and World Record holder in his class for 100m and 200m; and Debbie Brennan (Birchfield Harriers- Gold medallist in the World Champs, Lille, and also a world record holder).

The occasion supported Disability Sport England's plea for more financial assistance for our events. We are currently searching for sponsorship in various sporting events and need to secure it to continue creating champions.

Our thanks go to Nationwide for all their support throughout the year and everyone else who has assisted in making us the number one events agency for disability sport in 2002.