More Bermudians with disabilities could soon compete on the world stage if a training programme in Mexico proves a success.

Seven people leave tomorrow for Mexico City. While there they’ll learn how to train and classify athletes with physical disabilities.

Disabled athletes have previously had to go overseas to be classified for events such as the Paralympic Games, said Kathie Knox, one of those travelling.

“I know of one person from Bermuda who went overseas to qualify for a bocce event and when he got there he didn’t meet the classification,” the physical therapist said.

“We think he actually got stronger during therapy and that’s why he didn’t meet the classification. Being classified at home would eliminate problems like that.”

The trip to Mexico comes courtesy of the Bermuda Paralympic Association and the Agitos Foundation.

Agitos is a worldwide organisation that develops sports activities for people with disabilities. BPARAS received funding for the trip from its foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee.

“We are very grateful to the Agitos Foundation,” said BPARAS president Ann Lindroth. “We certainly couldn’t have sent seven coaches to Mexico without their support.”

It is hoped that the workshops will enable more Bermudians with physical challenges to participate in worldwide sporting events such as swimming, bocce, wheelchair track and goalball, a sport for people with visual impairments.

“You roll a ball,” explained Troy Farnsworth, an adaptive sports coordinator at Wind- Reach.

“There are three players on each team. The idea is to roll a ball past the other members of the team. The ball has a bell in it so it can be heard.”

The sport is one of the reasons why he was so eager to go to Mexico.

“With this training, hopefully I will be able to start up a goalball training programme in Bermuda and see more Bermudians taking part in goalball events overseas,” he said.

Also going to Mexico are Bermuda Pacers Track Club coach Cal Simons and Devon Bean. The pair provide coaching for the Bermuda Athletic Association.

Their hope is the training will help them get more people with physical disabilities involved in mainstream sporting events, Mr Simons said. BPARAS secretary Jeni Southern and Leonard Teye-Botchway are also going on the trip. It’s Dr Teye-Botchway’s aim to better classify athletes with visual impairments.

BPARAS has participated in the Paralympic Games every year since 1996.

Equestrians Phyllis Harshaw, Kirsty Anderson Swart and Alexander “Sandy” Mitchell have represented Bermuda. Jessica Lewis, a wheelchair track athlete, was Bermuda’s only delegate at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She’s hoping to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil. Yushae Simmons DeSilva-Andrade, a wheelchair bocce player, is another rising star on the Bermuda paralympic scene.

For more information contact Ms Southern (southern@logic.bm or 238-1741) or Ms Lindroth (lindroth@ibl.bm or 535-2832).