A SPORTS club dedicated to developing children and young adults with disabilities has been awarded Club of the Month by insport.

Brecon Integrated Sports Association (BISA) won the accolade for its outstanding commitment to inclusive provision and practice.

The club, that has been running since 2002, provides training and events all year round to individuals with any disability, specifically catering for children and young adults. The club allows for siblings and friends to join in, creating an environment that is inclusive for everyone.

Bev Tucker, Disability Sport Wales Development Officer for Powys, who established the club said: "We are thrilled to have had this award and to have received this national recognition. There is now the Disability Sport Wales awards in January 2017 where we could win a further award."

Bev continues to coach and organise events for its members and the club feels that her consistency, responsiveness and determination have contributed to the its success along with her kindness and understanding for disabled young people and their families.

Bev said: "As well as myself there are also a number of other regular coaches that lead sessions, as well as assistant coaches and volunteers who are crucial to the smooth running of the club.

"Without these people it would be extremely difficult to hold weekly training sessions and events for the children and young adults.

"We hold lots of training sessions and competitions and work a lot with other clubs locally as a feeder club. It gives opportunities to different children and gives them more of an awareness of what they can achieve."

Since it began, BISA has worked with children to encourage them to take part in sport and Bev said: "To start with we didn’t think we would have enough interest as it is difficult to sustain a sports club like this but as the years have gone on, the children we’ve worked with have now become young adults.

"This is why we now have two training sessions a week, one on a Thursday between 4pm and 5pm at Ysgol Penmaes for the younger members and a second at Brecon Leisure Centre on a Friday evening between 7pm and 8pm for the older ones."

BISA decided to embark on their insport journey in order to ensure their provision is as inclusive as possible and have already received their Ribbon and bronze standards.

At the club, the members are given the opportunity to attend weekly multi-sport sessions where they can participate in a number of sports.

These include trampolining, athletics, football, cricket, basketball, softball, boccia, kurling, table tennis, short tennis, green bowls, gymnastics, pool, zumba and parachute games.

During school holidays there are taster sessions where members are able to try different activities such as canoeing, sailing, cycling, horse riding and hill walking.

Bev said: "These sports are inclusive for all disabilities and contribute to members’ physical and skill development, whilst in a fun, safe and welcoming environment."

BISA has also enabled some of its members to develop into high level disabled athletes.

Affiliated to SPecial Olympics GB, three members have represented Great Britain in he World Summer Games in Athens 2011 and Los Angeles last year.

Bev said: "We have a group of 20 youngsters competing at the National Summer Games in Sheffield next year and are busy fundraising to get the athletes there."

Michelle Daltry, Disability Sport Wales Partnership Manager said: "BISA offer an incredibly valuable experience across a wider number of sports, providing training opportunities and opportunities to compete locally, nationally and internationally.

"It is great to see how this club had flourished over the years and this club of the month award is a testimony to the great work of the coaches, volunteers and support staff who give their time to transform the lives of disabled people in Powys."

Without funding and donations BISA wouldn’t be able to function as a club and Bev said: "We have received grants from Sport Wales and are in partnership with Action for Children and its been great to receive support from them.

"We are also extremely grateful to everyone who donates money to us including Brecon Town Council and the Rotary Club which has allowed us us to attract children from a wider catchment area.

"We also have help from volunteers from Christ College on a Friday and Theatr Brycheiniog let us use the room there free of charge. We can’t thank all these people enough, as well as those who volunteer with club sessions."

The club has set up a GoFund me page and anyone who wishes to donate to help sustain the club should visit https://www.gofundme.com/2q8j6n8?ssid=788710451&pos=1

Bev added: "Our next fundraising evening will be at the Clarence on November 2, between 7pm and 9pm where there will be skin care and make up demonstrations and we may even have a guest appearance from Paralympian Rob Davies. Everyone is welcome so come along and help us raise money for this worthy cause."