Female athletes with any physical impairment from 14 years old and upwards will be welcomed to the English city of Worcester from 27 August to 3 September 2018.

 

The state of the art facilities of the University of Worcester Arena, Malvern College and Nunnery Wood Sports Complex will play host to a preliminary sports programme of athletics, badminton, swimming, table tennis, para taekwondo and wheelchair fencing.

 

Mick Donovan, Head of the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science said “We are delighted to be bringing the first ever IWAS Women’s World Games to Worcester for what we are sure will be a wonderful event, and one which will really capture the imagination of the local community.”

 

The University of Worcester is a pioneer in its development of opportunities relating to sport and was the first to develop a dedicated degree programme in Disability Sport Coaching.

 

Four years ago, the University opened the country’s first sporting arena purpose-designed for athletes with physical impairments which will play host to several sports on the programme. Since then it has hosted numerous national and international tournaments, including the 2015 European Wheelchair Basketball Championships.

 

Mick Donovan added: “The IWAS Games is what we are all about at Worcester – giving athletes will all physical abilities the chance to come together to compete and enjoy sport.”

 

Charmaine Hooper, IWAS CEO said, ‘IWAS has always been committed to the development of sporting opportunities for all athletes with a physical impairment to maximise their potential, without focussing solely on elite athletes. With the development and promotion of sport for female athletes a key objective of IWAS, we are delighted to kick start this initiative with the hosting of the first IWAS Women’s World Games in Worcester.’

 

‘Partnered with the wealth of experience and knowledge at the University of Worcester, we are sure the event will be a great success and will inspire women and girls around the world to participate and compete in sport.’

 

IWAS will inform the IWAS Membership of the entry process for the IWAS Women’s World Games in due course.