College Olympians prepare for games
Posted: 10 April 2012
Staff and students join together next week in sporting honour of the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics.
The ‘Vision Games’ has been organised by the college’s sports development co-ordinator Colin Eley, to celebrate both the Olympic and Paralympic Games and to encourage future participation in sport across the college campuses.
The multi-sports event will take place at Mansfield’s Rugby Club on Eakring Road on Wednesday (18 April) and will see teams from every school of learning and a staff team competing in games such as visual impaired five-a-side football, fencing and sitting volleyball as well as archery and badminton doubles.
Vision Games will also be catering for students with learning difficulties or disabilities so that everyone has a chance of competing. Two official Paralympic sports will be played on the day – visual impaired football and sitting volleyball. In the football game students will wear blindfolds and use a specially-designed ball with ball bearings inside so it can be heard on the pitch.
Students will also have the opportunity to receive tips from coaches from the Football Association and Badminton England. People who take part in the Games will have the chance to win gold, silver and bronze awards as well as tickets to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Colin said: “There’s a real sense of excitement across the college as people start to enter their teams for the games.
“The event has been designed so that everyone can compete, regardless of their ability or disability, their skill levels or experience. We’re encouraging every student and member of staff to give something a try.
“Throughout the day we’ll be proudly promoting the Olympic Values of respect, excellence and friendship and the Paralympic Values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.”