Trailblazing Tribal Series wins ‘Sporting Event 2015’ at EVCOM LIVE Awards

The UK’s first and only mass-participation disability sports series walked away with two awards from the EVCOM LIVE Awards on Friday night for its inaugural event Tribal Series - Para Tri: Gold for ‘Sporting Event 2015’ and Bronze for ‘Outdoor Event 2015’.
Tribal Series is the creation of international events agency Sportsworld and Paralympian Sophia Warner, and the first event saw 300 participants descend on Dorney Lake in Windsor this summer to take on solo paratriathlons and relay challenges – the majority of whom had never entered a competitive sporting event before.
‘We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition from EVCOM LIVE for the very first event in our series,’ says Tribal Series founder Sophia Warner who competed at London 2012. ‘This is something I have wanted to put on for 20 years and I have been extremely fortunate to work with a company that had the vision and passion to make it happen. Our number one priority is to make sporting events fun and accessible to the UK’s 12m disabled, and Para Tri is just the beginning.’
‘We are immensely proud of this trailblazing initiative,’ says Sportsworld’s Event Services Managing Director Claire Brand. 'The series is much more than simply a sporting event – it is about challenging established attitudes, capturing the hearts of all those involved and building a strong community that is passionate about sport participation. We were grateful for the fantastic support from Barclays and Ottobock who helped make our first event so successful.’
Tribal Series today announced its first two partners for 2016: Ottobock, which continues to partner the series for its second year; and new partner Quest88. Both companies are leading the way in mobility innovation, making sport possible for every disabled person. As part of their partnership the companies will be offering free technical support services to all participants at the events to ensure no one misses out due to equipment malfunctions.
‘We are really excited about our involvement with Tribal Series,’ says Robert Henshaw, Managing Director of Quest 88. ‘We look forward being part of a wider team, which is helping people to discover more about what they can do given the opportunity, lots of encouragement and support. It's going to be amazing!’
More about Tribal Series
After the success of its inaugural event, Tribal Series is launching its new website later this week to announce four events for 2016. As well as returning to Dorney Lake for a second Para Tri South on 7 August there will be two brand new events at Windsor: a Para Swim and Para Run/Push (fun run/wheelchair race) on 15 May. A new venue for the first Para Tri North will also be announced later this week.
The dual focus of the series on accessibility and inclusivity. All Tribal challenges have no cut-off times and throw out normal equipment restrictions. Flippers and floats are permitted in the water; wheelchairs and all adapted bikes can be used in the cycle/push events; and walkers, electric and day chairs are allowed for the run/push (wheelchair races). Participants can go solo or enter relays with disabled and non-disabled friends and family, and are welcome to bring a ‘buddy’ to push or accompany them round the course if they wish.
For more information, including how to register visit www.tribalseries.com with regular updates available on twitter.com/tribalseries and www.facebook.com/ParaTriSeries