SPEEAD - The National Centre's Sports Day with a Difference

On Saturday June 13th 2009 the first of two SPEEAD sporting prosthetics Master Classes took place at Murray Park Training Ground, Glasgow. The capacity delegation consisted of mostly prosthesis users, professionals and accompanying persons.

The aim of the day was to offer the opportunity to sample different sports in a safe and fun enviroment overseen by sports coaches and prosthetics-related professionals. Participants were able to enjoy badminton, balance and coordination and cycling with coaching on this station provides by double Paralympic gold medal cyclist and prosthetic user Jody Cundy. Football, sports massage, prosthetic considerations, rowing, strength and conditioning and table tennis featured on the sporting bill with a information station showcasing archery, bowling, curling, Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Snowsport, swimming and volleyball.

Users and professionals took part in all of the sports-themed activities and feedback on the day was positive. Comments included "a great atmosphere - I enjoyed cycling, rowing and meeting people with similar issues", "the active participation stations were great - I tried things I never thought I could!" and "very organised, it was great to have a mix of professionals and patients."

Following lunch, a quetions and answer forum reiterated the talking points of the morning and knowledge transfer was further consolidated by the expert faculty panel.

A second Master Class event take place in Loughborough on Saturday 27th June 2009 and a scientific conference for those interested in sporting prosthetics issues will take place at Hampden National Stadium on Thursday 3rd September 2009. For more information on these events see www.strath.ac.uk/prosthetics/research/speeadsportingprosthetics/ or contact Sarah Deans, SPEEAD's Project Manager on sarah.deans@strath.ac.uk and 0141 548 3929.