NEWPORT City Council has become one of the first local authorities in Wales to achieve a key standard for its provision of sports for disabled people.

Disability Sport Wales insport development programme is a kite mark scheme identifying commitment towards the provision of inclusive sports opportunities.

The programme has a four-tiered approach intended to encourage and support the delivery of opportunity throughout sport and leisure. The council has attained the first tier Ribbon Standard.

The key challenge in the programme is to ensure that the development and provision of sport to the community is inclusive of disabled people.

Completion of the award coincided with a 39 per cent increase in sports activities for the disabled in Newport compared to the same period in the previous year.

An example of the council’s work can be seen in the new disability football session between Caerleon Junior Football Club and the Welsh Football Trust festival programme.

A sports session is provided for pupils at Maes Ebbw Special School every lunch time during the school term, while two riders from the Newport-based para cycling sessions have been selected onto the GB development squads.

Councillor Debbie Wilcox, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “This is a great achievement and something we can build on for the future. I would like to thank the dedicated staff who have helped us to reach this standard.

“We will be working to open up even more opportunities for disabled residents and reach that next key level in the Disability Sports Wales insport programme. It is our aim to complete all four tiers.”

Jon Morgan, executive director of Disability Sports Wales, said: “We are delighted that Newport City Council have achieved insport Ribbon standard.

“Their achievement reflects a lot of effort and commitment by the sports development team and the wider council. We look forward to supporting Newport as it strives to reach the insport bronze standard."