Credit: Leeds Beckett University

By Leeds Beckett University

The former President of the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport), Dr Bob Price OBE, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University, where he graduated from the Carnegie School of Sport in 1970 with a physical education degree.

Dr Price started his career as a physical education teacher for children with severe physical impairments, before moving on to become head of delegation to the Great Britain team in five consecutive Paralympic Games.

His subsequent roles as Chairman of the British Paralympic Association, President of the European Paralympic Committee and more recently World Intellectual Impairment Sport have seen unprecedented achievements in para-sport.

Dr Price has campaigned throughout his four-decade career for the equal promotion of impairment groups within the Paralympics. However, when athletes with intellectual impairments were excluded from future Paralympic Games after Sydney 2000, Dr Price was encouraged to intervene directly, by accepting the World Intellectual Impairment Sport presidency and working with the International Paralympic Committee for their re-inclusion from London 2012.

Speaking about receiving his honorary degree, Dr Price said: “Receiving an honorary degree from any institution is a cause for gratitude and receiving one from Leeds Beckett University has a special and added significance because it was on this campus that I first began as an undergraduate more than 50 years ago. There is a real sense of circularity associated with the fact that 50-odd years later the same institution has asked me back to a graduation ceremony.”

In 1993 he was awarded an OBE for services to sport and people with impairments, and gained membership of the Paralympic Order in 2006.

Offering advice to this year’s graduates, Dr Price said: “What I would suggest to all of today’s young graduates is that they seize whatever opportunity comes before them. You never really know what’s around the corner in your career; but, unfortunately, I’ve come across too many people who, too late in life, think back to opportunities that they could’ve taken but didn’t. I would say to anybody graduating today, at the other end of their career: whatever opportunity comes along, grasp it eagerly, work at it, work with it and, almost certainly, it will lead you somewhere else every bit as exciting. Don’t let them go by!”

Dr Price was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sport Science on Friday (28 July), for his global services to para-sport.

Leeds Beckett University Chancellor, Sir Bob Murray CBE, said: “Dr Price’s achievements in disability sport have had significant global impact; something we aspire to for all of our students here at Leeds Beckett University.

“His success leaves a lasting legacy for all athletes with an intellectual disability across the world, and shows our students just what can be achieved with the grounding of a degree from our university and the ‘can do’ attitude of a truly inspirational campaigner. He has worked tirelessly for the inclusion of Paralympic athletes, and we are extremely proud to call him an alumnus of the university and now an honorary doctorate.”

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NESTON, ENGLAND – JULY 17: Dan Bowser of England batting during the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Learning Disability Tri-Series Trophy match between England and Australia on July 17, 2017 in Neston, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

England claimed the T20 trophy with a thumping eight wicket win over South Africa as they finished the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Tri-Series supported by NatWest unbeaten.

England stuck the South Africans in at a blustery Nantwich Cricket Club. Ronnie Jackson picked up an early wicket before Elridge George and Keketso Chabedi helped South Africa ease into the game with a 37 run partnership.

As the saying goes, one quickly brought two as George (18) fell working the ball to square leg before Chabedi was bowled by Tayler Young for 25 leaving South Africa 55-3.

Matt Cowdery picked up two wickets in two balls before missing out on his hat-trick after Mzwandile Mhlongo got his bat down on another straight delivery.

Jan Makololo battled for 20 before a late flurry of boundaries from Mhlongo (19*) saw South Africa up to 105-6 from their 20 overs.

Birthday boy Jonny Gale went early in the reply for 9. Dan Bowser and Jackson set about taking a chunk out of the target a rapid 43 run partnership.

Jackson fell leg before to Jali Mkhululi for 21 but Bowser continued his explosive form with the bat to finish 61 not out and lead England home with over nine overs to spare. Bowser gave one final demonstration of his skill as he ended the game with successive sixes.

Cheshire’s own Jack Perry finished a successful debut series with 13 not out.