Fencing Taster Session – A sporty day for special children in the Isle of Man
Mike Westgate, an Olympic Fencing Coach from Northern Ireland, has joined hands with the Manx Sport and Recreation to conduct a free Fencing Taster Session for special children on May 7, at the National Sports Centre in Isle of Man.
This session will be offered to children suffering from dyspraxia, DCD and related conditions namely hyper-mobile joint problem, delay in the development of fine and gross motor skills.
The session will be conducted in two parts, one starting in morning and the other in the afternoon.
The session will comprise of teaching them the basics of fencing footwork and movements. Moreover, they will be taught modern fencing in an interesting manner. All participant children will be provided with certificates at the end of the session.
Mike Westgate, also serving as the National Coach for the Northern Ireland’s fencers, is presently acting as a sports teacher at the Foyle College, Londonderry.
Mike has a huge experience in teaching the sport to special children and has shared this experience with the men and women trainee fencing coaches in Belfast at the latest Health and Well Being Leisure Centre.
This unique learning gave birth to a group named C.O.O.L (Choosing Our Own Leisure) that regularly groups together the parent and children in the Grove Leisure Centre. The centre’s manager commented that because of this group, all types of children have
got facilitated to mke use of the centre’s leisure facilities.
Moreover, this group of children is being aided by other similar groups from Ireland, New Zealand, UK and Canada.
The Sports Development Unit became capable to buy two new fencing equipment sets, comprising of 20 foils and helmets all because of the support given from the Boston Charitable Foundation. The foils are made of rubber so as to ensure the safety of the children.
Ruth Robinson, who is responsible for the Boston Charitable Foundation, said, “The Boston Charitable Foundation is delighted to support such a worthy cause. We hope that the equipment provided will get many years of beneficial use by local children with
dyspraxia and associated conditions.
Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure Hon David Cretney MHK stated, “This is a great new opportunity for children to participate in. By working with our colleagues in the Department of Health we have been able to plan something really exciting. Thanks
to Mike Westgate for taking a moment out of his very busy schedule to come to the Island and deliver this fantastic taster session.”
The parents are allowed to stay during the session to encourage their children and moreover see how the learning turns out for the participants.
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