Cerebral Palsy World Games Nottingham 2015

Report from Ros Miller on the CP World Games below:

The Cerebral Palsy World Games were held in Nottingham last week, it is the first time these games have been held for 10 years. The last Games were in Connecticut USA in 2005. I was asked to be a Seated Throws Coach for the games and enjoyed every minute of it, even though I was shattered at the end of it. The main thing that I felt came out of these games was that this level of competition is sadly lacking these days, when Stephen (Miller) was growing up and learning his sport these games were held every 4 years at World level and in between there were a couple of European level. These games are a chance for athletes who haven’t been to a World Champs or Paralympics Games they are for development athletes. In 1995 20 years ago Stephen was a young 15 year old when he was selected for these games and got his 1^st International vest he was amazed when someone came over after the comp, in which he came 2^nd with a PB, and told him he had thrown the qualifying standard for Atlanta Paralympics. I won’t bore you but the rest as they say is history. I hope these games are now going to be a regular on the fixture list and we think the next one is in 3 years time in Spain. Gateshead Harriers had 4 athletes at these games and we had lots of successful and happy athletes by the end.

•  Anna Nicholson won Gold in Shot and Gold in Discus with a PB.
•  Emily Stewart won Gold in Long Jump, Gold in 100m, Gold in 200m with a PB, Gold in the Woman’s 100m Relay and Silver in Shot.
•  Samantha Gray won Gold in Seated Discus, Gold in Seated Shot with a PB and Gold in Seated javelin with a PB.
•  Stewart Chappell won Silver in Club Throw and Silver in Seated Discus.

 So altogether they won 9 Gold and 3 Silver medals. A very successful World Games for these athletes. Roll on the next one and maybe we will have more athletes representing Gateshead Harriers and England.

Ros Miller