British Learning Disability Swimming Championships to take place in Sheffield

British Learning Disability Swimming Championships July 2nd, 2008 London. Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB), Mencap Sport, and Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation GB (DSISO GB) are teaming up for the third year in a row to host the British Learning Disability Swimming Championships & Festival of Swimming. The event is sponsored by Westfield Health and will take place from 12-13 July, 2008 at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield.

Nick Parr, National Sports Manager for Mencap, said: "We're looking forward to another successful championships packed with talented swimmers. We're delighted that Westfield Health has once again offered to sponsor the event, and we welcome their involvement."

Last year, nearly 200 swimmers with a learning disability participated in the competition. One world, ten British, and three European records were broken at the event, and expectations are again very high for this year. Diane Dart from DSISO (GB) says, “We hope to continue building on the incredible success of the past two years. This event is quickly becoming one of the highlights of the national disability swimming calendar.”

By working together, these three organisations hope to offer a much greater service and a clearer pathway in sport for all people with learning disabilities.

Andy Heffer, Director of Sports and Services for SOGB, says, “This event has come to showcase how much our organisations can accomplish by working together.  SOGB is proud to play a role in hosting these championships.”

Swimmers will be competing in various disciplines including: Breaststroke, Backstroke, Freestyle, Butterfly, and Individual Medley. The event will feature elite races for the nation’s leading swimmers with a learning disability, along with festival races for up and coming talent.

Partner Organisations Contact:

DSISO GB: 07768 205 352 or email diane.dart@dsiso.org

SOGB: 0207 247 8891 or email info@sogb.org.uk

Mencap Sport: 01924 234 912 or email sport@mencap.org.uk

For all general enquiries, please contact Mencap Sport, 6a Calder Vale Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire,

WF1 5PE, telephone 01924 234 912 or email - sport@mencap.org.uk