Introduction to Anita Templar
Founder Horizon Sports Club for young people with Disabilities
Institute of Personnel Management (IPM)
Physical Education Dip
Gymnastic Coach and Athletic Throws and Strength Conditions Coach
Child development and psychology Dip
12 years Head of Games and PE St Teresa’s School Princes Risborough
Formed Cygnets Gymnastic Club 1976 at Wycombe Sports Centre
Wycombe Phoenix Harriers Athletic Coach
Founded Horizon Sports Club November 1998
History of HORIZON
1996/8 Researched by Anita Templar
Having worked in sport with children and adults with special needs and disabilities for some considerable years, and attended the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, and Special Olympics GB in Portsmouth in 1997, it was clear that throughout the country there were some clubs set up solely to coach people with disabilities, which we did not have in Buckinghamshire.
British Paralympic Association and Special Olympics GB
These two organisations, although separate, are charged with the development of Disability Sport nationally. So it was now time to explore – is there a local need ?
Parental observation
Although ‘inclusion’ was being encouraged at this time, many parents of children with challenging difficulties and disabilities were requesting an out of school club that could offer their children an
opportunity to take part in a sports club that could happily accommodate them.
Professional observation
Within the research, Paediatricians, Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Teachers were consulted, and it was agreed by all that offering one-one sport would be an advantage to many children with low motor skills, speech and language problems and behavioural and communication difficulties.
It was stressed by all, that through physical development, academic achievements could also be
advantaged.
Having researched further, we found that children with disabilities in mainstream schools had
assistance for classroom studies, but they were not always involved in mainstream games and
PE, because of their difficulties.
1998 Horizon Sports Club established
Initial meeting of Management Multi - disciplinary Team included - Bucks Education
(including Bucks University College) ), Health Authorities, Social Services,
2 Governing Body Coaches, Secretary, Treasurer and Chaired by Anita Templar
The Team agreed there was clearly a need for a ‘Special Sports Club’ and that it would be well
received in the community by all professionals involved in children’s welfare.
The criterion was then drawn up.
HORIZON CRITERION - 1998
Basic objectives
- Purpose
- offer training to children/ adults in all ranges of sports to include one to one assistance.
- Partner with multi disciplinary organisations, Health & Education Authorities, Social Services and others
- Sport lead
- Opportunities open to all disabilities
- Initially 4 sports covered
- Coaches Teachers/students/parents with GB qualifications
- Club fees to generate income
- All advertising to include 'Sponsors'
- Long term objectives:
- Integrate in mainstream clubs where possible through appropriate exit routes
- Recreational participation on going
- Encourage and promote elite members to competitions
- Encourage other sports
- Expand Club to 11 18yrs, Pre school and adults
- Develop further links with multi disciplinary organisations
Club Criteria Phase 1
- Ongoing links with multi disciplinary organisations
- Train all Coaches/Assistants to Sports Coach UK (NCF) qualification + practical in Special Schools, schools with units/ discussion meetings/workshops when required.
- 3 terms x 10 12 weeks duration
- 10 – 12 children per section with one one coaching
- 4 initial sports, Swimming, Tennis, Gymnastics, Athletics
- Age 6 11 years (flexible)
- After school / Saturday programmes where workable
Club Criteria - Phase 2
Forward Planning ie Youth groups, pre-school, adults
Four core sports, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor Athletics and Gymnastics were set up for 6 – 11 year olds
at Wycombe Sports Centre and Bucks Indoor Tennis centre.
Originally there were 8 children per class headed by a qualified governing body coach and a one-one Assistant.
Children from Chiltern Gate Special School and other Wycombe and Marlow schools with units were
offered places with Horizon.
Partnership Organisations
|
Special Olympics UK
Disability Sport England
Bucks County Council – schools
High Wycombe Social Services
|
Bucks New University – High Wycombe
CP Sport
Buckinghamshire Health Authority
Wycombe District Council |
HORIZON from 2002 to 2008
2002 Obtained Charity status 1093897
2003 Youth Football - Highcrest School
This section was successfully set for the 11+ athletes 7 boys and 3 girls.who were ready to move on to another sport.
Coaches Graham Malcolm, assisted by Marion Lyon
2005 Youth Swimming - Wycombe Abbey School
6th Form Wycombe Abbey girls assist Horizon swimmers to obtain personal goals or grades. All have acquired a good standard of water skills in the junior swimming section.
Coaches - Jeanette Chippington (retired Paralympian swimmer) and Rachel Sims
Competing Athletics
Athletes 8+ are eligible to enter Special Olympics and CP Sport competitions
See Competitions
Members - 42 juniors and 34 seniors.
All sports operate a 10/12 week term. Summer holiday athletics by arrangement.
ASSISTANTS
Assistants are volunteers from Wycombe High School, John Hampden and RGS schools
Initial Induction is held in each school in Sprig Term.
Selection / introduction and hands on experience with Tutor and Coaches - Spring and Summer Term
Selection of Assistants – end of Summer Term
Major Induction 2 hours in early September before start of Autumn Term
Autumn Term Students start with Horizons
Attend national SPORTS COACH UK COURSE - Autumn Term
Assistant are with the Club for 1 – 2 years. Training is in-house and on-going,
De-briefings are held on a regular basis throughout each term.
Assistants Presentation Evening
When they leave for University, Horizon Assistants receive an official Certificate and Reference
from The President Dr. Lady Ann Redgrave and Chairman of the Club
Coaches - Felicity Palmer, Jeanette Chippington, Rachel Sims, Anita Templar, Rachel Amos,
Hilary Evans, Ann Herbert, Carole Hunt, Graham Malcolm, Marion Lyon