New Strategy Aims to Empower Disabled Athletes at Loughborough University

Loughborough University Partners with ParalympicsGB to Launch Para Sport Initiative

Loughborough University's renewed commitment to para and disability sports representing a transformative step toward inclusivity and excellence. By updating its 2019 strategy, the university aims to create an exceptional ecosystem that empowers disabled students to reach their full potential in sports or actively participate in athletic activities. To achieve this goal, the university plans to establish an unparalleled environment for its students, staff, and partners.

This updated strategy was developed after extensive consultations with students, staff from various departments, and insights from external partners. The goal is to ensure that every disabled student, or prospective student, recognizes that sports and physical activity at Loughborough are accessible to everyone.

The strategy centers around three key pillars:

1. Performance: Encouraging individuals to reach their potential and achieve at the highest level.
2. Get Involved: Promoting participation in sports, coaching, or volunteering opportunities.
3. Develop the Workforce: Focusing on fostering the growth of employed staff, volunteers, and students.

These initiatives will be driven by partnerships, research, and innovation, alongside a commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all disabled individuals on campus.

The university's support for para-athletes, particularly in their achievements at the Paris Paralympic Games, is remarkable. Alasdair Donaldson, Head of Para Sport at Loughborough University, noted that since the first Para Sport Strategy was implemented, the number of students on campus with physical impairments has increased by 71%, while the total number of disabled students has risen by 22%. The progress seen in supporting disabled students at the university is not solely due to Loughborough Sport's efforts; rather, it reflects the university's ability to collaborate effectively across the campus. The university will continue to build on this success through further collaboration and by leveraging both the Sporting Excellence and Opportunity core plan and the EDI core plan.

David Clarke OBE, Chief Executive of ParalympicsGB, expressed delight at the release of Loughborough University’s Para and Disability Sport strategy. The strategy aims to provide equitable opportunities for disabled students and partners, enhancing participation in high-performance sport, community sport, and workforce development. Clarke noted that ParalympicsGB recognizes the transformative power of sport to change lives and challenge perceptions of disability. The partnership with the university will help maintain its status as a world leader in promoting inclusive sports for all disabled individuals.

The strategy document is accessible, and a plain text version is also available for those who prefer it. The launch of the new strategy coincides with the announcement of a landmark partnership between the university and ParalympicsGB.

Editor's Note:

Loughborough University has made a significant commitment to para and disability sports, enhancing its strategy to foster inclusivity and excellence. Building on its 2019 foundation, the updated approach aims to empower disabled students to reach their full potential in sports and physical activities. Developed through extensive consultations, the strategy focuses on three pillars: Performance, Get Involved, and Develop the Workforce, promoting achievement, participation, and growth. This new strategy, launching alongside a landmark partnership with ParalympicsGB, reaffirms the university's dedication to creating an accessible environment for all disabled individuals. 

Skoobuzz appreciates the efforts of the university, which is paving the way for a more equitable and diverse athletic landscape, ultimately transforming lives and perceptions of disability through the power of sport.