5 things you need to know about the #DSCSummerFestival
#1. In celebration of #HandstandDay, we would like to welcome a new special guest to DSC… Natasha Coates! Natasha is a GB Disability Gymnast and will be attending our Summer Festival 2017
Natasha is a 19 x British Gymnastics Gold Medallist who was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome at the age of 18. For the non-scientist out there, this means Natasha is allergic to exercise amongst other things.
Natasha’s love for gymnastics started at the age of 8 and didn’t let her diagnosis stop her from doing the sport she was passionate about. Now not only does Natasha have multiple titles, she is a Pride of Sport winner and British Gymnastics Disability Ambassador at the age of 22!
Natasha Coates excitedly said: “I’m really honoured to be invited as a guest for the DSC’s Summer Festival 2017, and I’m really excited to tell others about the exciting opportunities that exist for disabled people within gymnastics! To be able to represent British Gymnastics as a disabled athlete feels amazing and I’m really looking forward to meet other disabled people who take part in different sports.
I personally have never done any other disability sports, but I am so in love with gymnastics. I think that’s why I’m so passionate to support Disability Sports Coach. Sport has really saved my life and opened up a new world to me, and I think it’s amazing that DSC provide that opportunity to so many others, regardless of ability.”
Erin Madden, Disability and Inclusion Officer at British Gymnastics, said: “British Gymnastics are committed to developing more participation opportunities for disabled people in gymnastics. Part of this work involves raising the profile of Disability Gymnastics and showing more people how inclusive and accessible our exciting sport is. We recently enlisted seven Disability Gymnastics Ambassadors to act as inspiring role models within Disability Gymnastics, and we’re delighted that Natasha Coates, one of our Ambassadors, is able to support DSC’s Summer Festival 2017.”
If you trying gymnastics, come along to this year’s Summer Festival to talk to Natasha Coates and find out about clubs near you. Gymnastics is a new sport for this year and we are excited to see what our members can do! Click here to find your local disability gymnastics club today
We are really excited to welcome Natasha and Gymnastics to the Summer Festival this year and we look forward to seeing you on the 28th July!
Natasha has inspired us all (even our CEO Peter Ackred!) to get involved in gymnastics by joining in on National Handstand Day.
We’ve asked our members, coaches, volunteers and staff to get involved and take a picture or video of themselves showing off their handstand skills.
There’s still time for you to get involved too!
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