Young Leader is hoping for cash grant to support inclusive sport for youngsters in Hartington
A former Hartington C of E Primary School, who is in remission from cancer, is hoping to be successful in applying for a cash grant to bring inclusive, disability sport to a local young people’s group.
Todd Cloake
Todd Cloake has applied to 02’s Think Big campaign for funding to set up a programme of activities focusing on Boccia and Wheelchair Basketball for Hartington Young People’s Activity Club (HYPAC).
Todd went on to study at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Ashbourne, where he took part in the Rural Derbyshire School Sport Partnership (RDSSP) Young Sports Leader programme, gaining a Sports Leaders UK qualification. The football fan now holds a Level Three Higher Sports Leaders qualification and is a Level One Wheelchair and Handball coach.
The 23 year old said: “HYPAC delivers activities to local residents under the age of 14. Recently Maddie Wager, a pupil at the school who uses a wheelchair, has joined the group so we are looking to provide more inclusive activities than our current facilities and programme allow. The funding will be used to pay for the hire of facilities, travel costs and hire and transport of ten wheelchairs.”
Todd, who is taking a break from studying for a degree in Coaching and Sports Development at Lincoln University while he recuperates, has got big plans for the inclusive sport programme and has enlisted the help of Special Olympics Boccia champion and fellow QEGS pupil, Beth Foster, from Ashbourne.
He explained: “The Boccia project will involve linking with Beth to work alongside myself and other young volunteers in providing two training sessions followed by participation in Boccia competitions in Wirksworth and Buxton in May.”
Hartington School’s team, led by 9 year old Maddie who has Cerebral Palsy, won the same Boccia championships held at Buxton’s Devonshire Dome last year.
Beth said: “I am looking forward to meeting the school children and community of Hartington to share my knowledge of Boccia and help them train for their competitions in May.”
Hartington resident, Todd continued: “The wheelchair basketball project, with the support of Derbyshire Dales District Council, will access ten wheelchairs over three weeks to be used by the children including Maddie. I am also hoping to get in touch with Derby-based wheelchair basketball club – Wheel Blazers to chat about the possibly of getting some members involved.”
Derbyshire Dales District Council Community Development and Wellbeing Officer, Rob Wilks, said:
“Projects like this in such a rural area like Derbyshire Dales are so important. They enable people who live in outlying villages such as Hartington to participate in sporting and educational opportunities on their doorstep, they get people ‘thinking big’ about the barriers to participation and how you can make sport inclusive for all, and they also help bring the community together.”
“Huge credit must go to Todd for taking on this challenge, the project will provide a great experience to young people in the village and surrounding areas, and Derbyshire Dales District Council are willing to support him as much as possible to make it a success.”
The RDSSP Young Sports Leader programme is tailored to train and support young people to volunteer, coach, organise, lead, motivate and inspire others, and supports youngsters to develop their skills and enhance opportunities for paid work.
School Sport Partnership Manager, Janice Price said: “I am so glad to hear a former SSP Young Leader is doing well and using his initiative to develop sporting opportunities for youngsters in rural Derbyshire. Todd was a shining example of a young leader and it’s great to hear he is now studying a leadership based degree.”
“I wish him all the very best of luck with his application to the funding pot, and really do hope he is successful. Sport isn’t just about physical activity – it’s also about teaching values of team-building, leadership, inclusivity and friendship – and Todd is doing just that.”
Vice Chairman of Hartington C of E Primary School, Liz Broomhead MBE, who runs the HYPAC group said: “We are absolutely delighted that Todd has decided to apply for the cash grant, which would be so fundamental in helping us to bring more inclusive, disability sport to the group.”
“Maddie does not miss out on any of the sports and activities on offer at HYPAC but securing this funding would allow us to implement wheelchair based sports to not only benefit Maddie but raise awareness with the other children and how to work together and support each other effectively.”
“Now we’re crossing our fingers and awaiting the news to find out if we’ve secured the funding.”
Applications for the 02 Think Big campaign close on Wednesday 11th March 2015.
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