Disability Day at Sheffield Winter Garden

The WPBSA will stage the annual World Disability Day in Sheffield on Thursday 21st April 2016 during the Betfred World Snooker Championship.

To be held at the Cue Zone in the Winter Garden close to the Crucible Theatre, the initiative looks to encourage people with disabilities to participate in snooker and support the ongoing work of World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS).

Formed in 2015, the WDBS has already hosted disability events in Gloucester and Manchester, with further events to be held in Woking and Gloucester in 2016.

Players who have competed in WDBS events so far will be present during the morning of Disability Day to play doubles matches with members of the public. Later in the day, children with disabilities from Sheffield Wednesday Football Club have been invited to take part in a snooker challenge.

“We are delighted to bring world disability day to the World Snooker Championship,” said WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson. “We are proud to be a sport for all. We are delighted to see the involvement of so many groups and we are pleased to see our players and coaches engaging with our new activities and the work of the WDBS.”

The day will also be supported by Leonard Cheshire Disability, a charity supporting disabled people in the UK and around the world to fulfil their potential and live the lives they choose.

During the day groups from Mickley Hall and Gloucestershire House will be visiting the Cue Zone to try snooker. There will also be collections for Leonard Cheshire in Tudor Square throughout the day.

Barney Cullum, external communications officer for Leonard Cheshire said: “Leonard Cheshire Disability is very happy to be supporting this important event at the prestigious World Snooker Championship.

“Research conducted by our charity earlier this year found that 57% of disabled people are currently doing no sport or physical activity, with a lack of suitable opportunities cited as the largest barrier to participation.

“In light of these findings, and to mark the Paralympic year, Leonard Cheshire Disability is working hard to create a great many more opportunities for participation.”

For more information about the WDBS please visit www.wdbs.info

You can also read more about Leonard Cheshire Disability at their official website www.leonardcheshire.org