Sport is a great activity that allows our members of all ages to interact with others, work as a team and develop further skills, as well as keeping fit.
We are keen to offer as many opportunities for regular sporting activities as we can and always look for new ones suitable for our members to join in with.
We are proud to be part of the DSActive network, allowing occasional competition with other groups around the country. DSActive provides children and young adults with Down’s syndrome a fair opportunity to get involved in sports – particularly the nation’s favourite sport, football. For more information visit www.DSActive.org.uk
Wednesdays 5-6pm (during term time)
Foundation Dome, Foundation Park, County Ground Lane, Swindon SN1 2FD
We are proud to be one of the disability sessions run by Swindon Town Community Foundation. Their DSActive group provides weekly football training, during term-time, for people aged 5+ with Down’s syndrome. The DSActive football team take part in occasional competitions with teams from other clubs and are also regularly invited to play on the pitch at half time during a Swindon Town league match. Please feel free to come along and try it out. You will need to bring a drink and wear trainers and sports kit suitable for indoor training. Team kit is provided after a player has been with the group for one term.
Players sign up with the Foundation for the full year with payments taken in termly instalments. The link for paying can be accessed here. If you have problems using the payment system please contact Andrea on 01793 421303.
For further information please contact football@swindondownsgroup.org.uk
Tuesdays 5-6pm
Delta Tennis Centre, Welton Road SN5 7XF
A weekly tennis session is held at Delta Tennis Centre on Tuesdays between 5pm and 6pm. Anyone over the age of 5 with Down’s syndrome is welcome. Cost is £5.00 per session payable direct to the centre on the day (please note the Delta Tennis Centre is cashless payment only). Sessions are suitable for all levels and the coaches will tailor tasks and drills accordingly. It is preferred, but not essential, that players provide their own racket.
For further information please contact tennis@swindondownsgroup.org.uk
Monday 6-7pm (fortnightly), Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool
Swimming sessions at the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool take place on Monday evenings 6-7pm on a fortnightly basis. Please note the times include changing time. Sessions are open to all ages, but all swimmers must be accompanied in the water by a parent or carer and remain their responsibility at all times.
The sessions start with a period of coaching by Vicky Hunt, our disability swimming coach, tailored to individual levels of ability. This is followed by free time where people can continue practicing what they have learnt or just have a splash around with other participants.
The cost per session is £5.00 per person and payment is made direct into the SDSG bank account (details will be provided).
Remaining swimming dates in 2023:
02 16 & 30* October, 13 & 27 November, 11 December
For further information please contact swimming@swindondownsgroup.org.uk
Saturday 9-10am
Padel4All, Bassett Down, Hay Lane SN4 9QW
Our latest sports opportunity is a chance to try out Padel Tennis. This is a hybrid game which has elements of squash added to tennis and is played as a doubles game on a court half the size of a normal court. We are pleased to have linked with Padel4All who are offering a session for people with Down’s Syndrome. Minimum age is 9 years.
For further information and latest course dates please contact tennis@swindondownsgroup.org.uk
Friday 5.30-6.30pm
Bobbi’s Academy of Dance, Wilkes Academy, Westmead Drive, SN5 7YT
Dance sessions are run by Bobbi Newman a qualified dance teacher in a dance studio. Parents/carers must stay on site at all time. All dancers will be given a printed t-shirt to wear, kindly sponsored by Coles Scaffolding Ltd.
The cost of each session is £4.75. Bobbi emails out monthly invoices. Bobbi offers a free taster session if you would like to give it a go.
For more information please contact – bobbisacademyofdance@live.co.uk
Super 1s is an initiative run by the England and Wales Cricket Board to create disability hubs across the country. Wiltshire County Cricket have set up four hubs, one of which is in Swindon. These are for young people with any disability and so people with Down’s syndrome can participate alongside those with other learning and physical disabilities. The sessions are not organised by the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group but more information can be found on the WCC website.
