By Tom Degun

Wheelchair fencers_in_front_of_Tower_BridgeMay 21 - The British Paralympic Association (BPA) will today launched their five year strategic plan for 2012-2017 in what is a major move from the organisation to capitalise on the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which is now 100 days away.


The plan sets out a new vision for the organisation that highlights the power of sport to inspire change in people's lives while it outlines how it will harness the momentum from a home Games to drive and support progress across Paralympic sport to Sochi 2014, Rio 2016 and beyond.

Titled "Maximising Momentum", the plan also states what impact the BPA thinks London can have on disability sport more widely, what outcomes should be targeted as a result, and what role the BPA should play with partners in assisting their delivery.

It follows six months of detailed consultation with the membership of the BPA, other stakeholders and sponsors of the Paralympic Games.

"This new strategic plan is the BPA's statement of intent for the post London era," said BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth (pictured).

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"While as an organisation we are ruthlessly focused on our preparations for 2012, we must also be ready to maximise the opportunities that will flow from the Games and to work with others to achieve our goals.

"The Paralympics is first and foremost about the sporting achievements of the athletes.  But its power reaches beyond that.

"The excellence of the sport, and the inspirational impact it creates, has the ability to shift perceptions of disability and break down barriers in society.

"London 2012 is a tremendous catalyst for such change.

"That is why I don't believe we should be talking now about legacy from the Paralympics in London – that suggests maintaining what we already have.

"Instead we should talk about momentum, about what more can be done than previously on the back of it.

"This plan is the basis of that momentum, and seeks to demonstrate to all of our partners how we see our role and responsibilities going forward."

In the Strategic Plan, the stated new Vision for the BPA is: "Through sport, inspire a better world for disabled people".

Meanwhile the organisation's Mission remains: "To make the UK the Leading Nation in Paralympic Sport".

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This ambition is held on the field of play and in support of athletes, but also in wider promotion and advocacy of the Paralympic Movement, and in the BPA's responsibilities as the National Paralympic Committee.

"We recognise that the Paralympic Movement and specifically the Paralympic brand, can be a powerful agent for change," said BPA chairman Tim Reddish

"Our Vision seeks to create a clear link therefore between our core responsibilities and the wider impact we can have.

"Our primary purpose is fundamental: supporting sports and athletes at Games time to ensure outstanding performances.

"We are however uniquely positioned to use that success to drive positive action, influence and delivery more widely than ever before.

"Our role as the National Paralympic Committee, our responsibilities on both the national and international stage and our broader purposes as a charitable trust, mean that we have legitimate interest in all areas of development for disability sport.

"We will work closely with all our partners across the sporting landscape to maximise this."

Alongside the Vision and Mission, the plan outlines five strategic priorities, the values that the organisation will embrace and the partnership approach that will be key to maximising the momentum.

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Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (pictured), Britain's 11-time Paralympic wheelchair racing champion and a BPA Patron, gave her support for the Strategy.

"I am passionate about London 2012 and the positive impact it can have not just for our elite athletes but at every level of disability sport," she said.

"The BPA has the chance to play a lead role in ensuring we make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity and I am delighted to support the approach they are taking.

"It brings real clarity to their role and more than ever before shows how the 'stardust' of our athletes can have impact and inspire real change."

For an in depth overview on the strategic plan from Tim Hollingsworth click here.

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