AN OPEN day is being held on Sunday in Bradford to launch the district’s newest mixed ability sports clubs and to showcase others which are being set up.

International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS), a Bradford-based organisation that promotes disabled and non-disabled people playing sport together, has secured £161,000 of Sport England funding to make grassroots sports available to anybody, regardless of age and ability.

It follows the success of the Bumble Bees mixed ability rugby team which was set up in 2009.

On Sunday there will be a mixed ability sports open day at Heaton Tennis & Squash Club, which is home to many of the new teams.

From 1pm to 4pm there will be a chance to try a range of different mixed-ability sports, with the newest tennis, cricket and dance clubs hoping to encourage people to take part.

Recently-established mixed ability clubs, such as boxing, as well as clubs that are in the process of being set up, including rowing, will also be taking part in the open day.

IMAS director Martino Corazza said: “Bradford is the hub of mixed ability sport following the huge success of the Bumble Bees Rugby team and the first Mixed Ability Rugby World Tournament in 2015.

“We sent out a survey across Bradford to try and establish if people were interested in more accessible activities, as a result Sport England agreed to support a launch across the north of England with Bradford at the epicentre.”

The country’s first mixed ability rugby team, the Bumbles, based at the Bradford & Bingley Sports Club, in Wagon Lane, Bingley, was founded by Anthony Brooke, a student with cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

Mr Brooke and a number of other players with disabilities continue to help build the mixed ability movement, working with IMAS and England Rugby to provide information and presentations to grassroots rugby clubs, and more recently, local healthcare professionals.

The facilities at the tennis club have been altered to make the ground floor more accessible to wheelchair users.

Tennis club sponsor Manningham Concrete was able to widen doorways and fit ramps to make the ground floor open to all.

Mr Corazza said: “This is an ideal opportunity for people who make new year resolutions to become fitter but then feel they don’t have the ability because of age, illness or disability to come along and find something that is welcoming and an enjoyable positive experience.”

The taster day at the club, in Highgate, is open to all, regardless of age, ability or disability.