World Class Gymnastics
By PAUL PATTERSON MBE, Chairman, Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled
formed over 25 years ago with the main aim of encouraging and supporting any person in Jersey with a disability to take part in some form of sport, no matter what the disability or age of the person. JSAD is a registered charity and all of our support team members are volunteers.
T
Contact Details: W:
www.jlga.co.uk E:
jlga.president@
gmail.com T: 444980
2012 was always going to be a very busy year for JSAD – the build up to the London Paralympic Games was already in sharp focus although sadly JSAD did not have any of its members taking part. I did have the privilege of visiting the Olympic Park in 2011 as part of the London Prepares Series – at that time much building work was going on but the main sporting areas were ready and the series was designed to test the areas. That in itself was a fascinating experience and I returned to Jersey thinking that we were not far off the mark locally in terms of certain facilities and the way in which JSAD runs its sporting activities.
I have to say that the 2012 Page 60 Jersey's Olympic Legacy
he Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled (JSAD) was
it’s just 1 of 15 disabled sports available locally
Paralympic Games were turned out even better than we could ever have imagined and so many of our members have been inspired by them, and knowing a number of the Team GB participants made ‘getting engaged’ even easier. I do confess that post London 2012 I was not prepared for the massive amount of interest we have seen locally in JSAD activities and we are still receiving enquiries from people wishing to join us, pledges of support from individuals and commerce and generally folks appear genuinely interested in what we are up to.
We have certainly had a busy year too – our special gymnasts at the Jersey Special Gymnastics Club have competed locally and in the UK. Locally, March saw the Club host the Southern Region Special Gymnastics Championships for the eighth time in 22 years. Allan Marston, coach from Coventry, described it as “the best event on the Special Gymnastics circuit.” In April Alex Buesnel claimed a
distinction pass at the British Gymnastics National NDP Finals with an outstanding all round score of 8.75. Alex was also selected to be an Olympic Torch bearer when the flame came to Jersey in the Summer.
Jersey can honestly say that our special gymnasts are world class performers and if this disability group and sport were in the Paralympics I am quite certain Jersey would now be celebrating gold success – one day maybe.
The Special Gym Club have a very busy programme already planned
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