Team Surrey is delighted to be hosting its first ever DisABILITY Week starting from 13th November 2023 where all University of Surrey students are invited to take part in a range of disability sports for free.
The DisABILITY Week sessions are open to all University of Surrey students with both disabled and non-disabled students invited to come along and try out the different sports on offer.
The sessions will be led by Team Surrey coaches, student activators and external coaches and will be taking place throughout the week of the 13th, with the addition of a further session on 25th November.
Here’s a look at the timetable…
Sports Descriptions
Boccia is a precision ball sport that requires strategy and accuracy. It’s played by individuals with all disabilities and is similar to a traditional game of bowls. Coached by: Russell Bewley (Inclusive Sports Coordinator, YMCA East Surrey Boccia)
Wheelchair Tennis also follows the standard rules however allows players to have 2 bounces, if needed, between each shot. It allows individuals with Mobility impairments to showcase their skills on sports within a dynamic inclusive game.
Coached by: Make Change Coach and Toby West
Archery: Para-Archery has a classification system to create a level playing field. The equipment and nature of the shot can be changed, and it can be either sitting or standing.
Coached by: Team Surrey coach and student
Wheelchair Basketball: The majority of the rules and regulations remain the same with the exception of dribbling. Players must either hold the ball or place it in their lap and push no more than twice before dribbling with the ball.
Coached by: Make Change Coach
Mountaineering: Neurodiverse climbing is an inclusive sport that embraces and supports individuals with a wide range of neurological differences, fostering a sense of community, empowerment, and personal growth in an adaptive climbing environment.
Coached by: Team Surrey
Squash 57: This is an adapted version of Squash and is played with a bigger racket, bouncier balls and longer rallies.
Coached by: Student Activator
Blind Football: An adapted version of Futsal where players are required to wear a blindfold. The goalkeepers of the team can be either sighted or partially sighted and provide the main communication for the team. For players to locate the ball, there are mental panels stitched in to create noise as it rolls on the ground.
Coached by: Anand (Blind Football Coach
Blind Tennis: The game is played with a standard Blind Tennis audible ball and players in the B1 category must wear a blindfold for the duration of play. The server must call ‘Ready?’ and wait for the opposition to reply ‘Yes’ before serving the ball. The number of bounces permitted before a point is scored varies depending on category.
Coached by: Jacob Nowell (Student Activator)
Sitting Volleyball: A fast-paced sport with changes including a smaller court, lower net and players being closer together. The game is truly inclusive by enabling both able-bodied and disabled players to participate.
Coached by: Rachael & Dudi (Higher Education Volleyball Officers)
Visually Impaired Cricket: Played with a combination of blind and partially sighted players on one team. The wickets are larger while the game is played with a size 3 football with ball bearings. Blind batsmen cannot be stumped out and their runs are doubled.
Coached by: Surrey Visually Impaired County Cricket Club