09 Aug FLAME EVENT 2019 PROVES A HUGE SUCCESS IN PROMOTING INCLUSIVE SPORT

The Huddersfield Town Foundation facilitated a hugely successful Flame event last week by promoting health and wellbeing through inclusive sport and physical activity.

Over 500 participants enjoyed a fun-filled day which took place at Greenhead park on Thursday 1 August. The Flame event has become a tradition for the Huddersfield Town Foundation with the 2019 function being the most successful to date!

The Huddersfield Town Foundation partnered with Kirklees Council, Yorkshire Sport Foundation and Mencap in Kirklees to facilitate the Flame event 2019.

The Flame event began back in 2012 as part of the Olympic and Paralympic celebrations and aims to promote inclusive sport by providing activities to be enjoyed by everyone; both able-bodied and people with a disability.

Attendees were able to take part in a variety of activities delivered by local providers, such as:
– Football
– Tennis
– Table tennis
– Archery with Holy Bank
– Boccia
– Curling
– Rugby inflatables with Fun Bounce
– Batak with Batley Bulldogs
– Bike riding with Street Bikes
– Wheelchair basketball
– Inflatable darts
– Climbing walls with Kirklees Council

The event included lots of on-stage entertainment such as a dancing performance by Terry and Tilly the Terriers, Valley Beats, Marsden Belly Dancers, a theatre production and a sensory story walk by Kirklees Library!

Volunteers from BT and the Huddersfield Town Foundation’s disability programme EmployAbility helped facilitate the event, along with all Huddersfield Town Foundation staff.

The Foundation’s Premier League and BT Disability fund aims to provide opportunities for participants with a disability living in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and surrounding areas of Kirklees with opportunities of physical activity through football and wider activity.

The sessions work to improve individual levels of independence, skills of leadership and employability to help participants become more physically active, therefore contributing to living a healthier life.

21 of our EmployAbility participants have achieved qualifications with eight of these now in full-time employment!

The Mayor of Kirklees, Mumtaz Hussain, attended the event, from which he later tweeted that he ‘had a lovely day at Greenhead park with the Huddersfield Town Foundation’!

Ana Mesarovic, the Huddersfield Town Foundation’s Disability Officer, commented:

“I am thrilled with the success of the Flame event 2019!

“It was great to see so many happy people enjoying and participating in each of the activities”

“The event provides great exposure for inclusive sports and physical activity which is incredibly important to improve the health and wellbeing of all children”.

Claire Howe, Operations Manager at Kirklees Council, added:

“Kirklees Council is proud to continue to support the Flame event.

“It began in 2012 as a legacy to the London Paralympics and to work in partnership with Huddersfield Town Foundation who are now leading this successful inclusive annual event.

“People from all ages had great time in the sunshine and were able to experience various physical activities and sports which they can get involved with locally on a regular basis.”

If you would like some more information on our regular Active Ability sessions please contact enquiries@htafcfoundation.com.