Disability Sport and adapted physical activity

Consultancy project to develop a London 2012 International Legacy Programme in Egypt. It was delivered with the British Council (Egypt), Helwan University and Assuit University and Ministry for Sport and Ministry for Youth.

The project focussed on capacity building in curriculum development, increasing the employability of graduates in the sports industry and developing an Adaptive Physical Education curriculum. The project redeveloped the Sports Management Curriculum Helwan University which led to the development of the first Sports Marketing Degree in Egypt and the Middle East. In developing employability within the curriculum of sports related degree programmes in Egypt, the project organised and staged first major conference and event for universities, government ministries and employers in the sport sector in Egypt with Assuit University in Cairo in 2015 around how to engage with industry partners and embed employability within courses. Professor Hayley Fitzgerald and Dr Annette Stride delivered a programme and resources for those involved in the training and delivery of adaptive Physical Education Programmes in collaboration with Helwan University.

Leeds Beckett University deliver residential recovery programmes for wounded, injured and sick military personnel. The courses utilise health coaching and adaptive sports as a context to encourage personal development and growth. The aim is for participants to develop a positive approach to their recovery in order to return to service or make a smooth transition to civilian life. The influence this experience has on the lives of the participants and their often lengthy recovery process is researched by Dr Chris Kay. It is a 10 year project that has supported over 5,000 participants in their recovery from becoming wounded, being injured, experiencing trauma or living with physical and mental health illnesses. It began in 2011 and is now a mandatory course for all recovering Army and Royal Airforce personnel. The research and courses are funded by The Royal British Legion.

The Rugby Football Union's Injured Players Foundation (IPF) provide help for those who have sustained catastrophic injury whilst playing rugby. The IPF fund supportive courses that are run by Leeds Beckett that focus on maintaining and developing their clients physical and mental well-being. Adaptive sport, again provides the rich context for learning and the development of new perspectives of ones abilities to be applied on the 3 day courses. The influence this experience has on the lives of the participants is researched by Dr Chris Kay.