PAST ACTIVITIES PAGE

“LEAPS” show that there is no boundary to participation”

One of the most respected Taekwondo instructors from the North East was in Crook on Thursday 22nd April instructing members of the LEAPS group. 7th Dan Master Ian Leafe (supported by three other Taekwondo instructors) was delighted to take the LEAPS members for a self defence class at Saint Catherine's Community Centre in Crook.

LEAPS is a fairly new organisation that (in its name) aims to Lead to Encourage Activities, Participation and Sport to help overcome barriers, improve knowledge and increase opportunities for people of all abilities in sport and physical activities. This last year thanks to “Awards for all” the group has benefited in being able to take part in and try various activities including fishing, archery, new age Kurling, sailing and now Taekwondo.

Partnership Development Officer for the Wear Valley area Roy Broadbent explained “Taekwondo may not seem like the obvious of choice of activity for LEAPS but it's a great sport to develop fitness and coordination, increase confidence and at the end of the day provide some effective ways in protecting yourself, It's a great honour that Master Leafe has come to Crook to take the session, it is important that we can help to increase disability awareness within local sports clubs and facilities, We are currently in the process of working closely with the Community Sports Network in developing a Disability Sports Forum for the area. The forum should provide great opportunities for disabled people to participate in additional sports activities”.

Jim Welch, LEAPS Chair said “the evening has a been a great success, many of our members have serious challenges with mobility, some are blind and partially sighted so it was important that the session was constructed to allow everyone to get involved. Tonight's self defence lesson has given some of our members an opportunity to try something new and challenging. The aim of our group is to extend the provision of sport and activities for people of all abilities.”

LEAPS would welcome feedback on whether this should be a regular activity for its members in the future