Its a Knockout
Background
1981 was the International Year of the Disabled Person, and so in June of that year the Harrow & Pinner Lions Club decided to run an event
for a group of people who were disabled, but to a large extent ignored by the public. Adults with learning disabilities were the group finally chosen.
This event was planned as a one off day, in recognition of the International Year of the Disabled, and eight Centres were invited to participate, which,
with the 'supporters' that turned up on the day, meant 800 people had to be accommodated. The day proved so popular that a repeat for the following
year was requested. The Lions responded but as news of the event spread they were receiving requests from other Centres who wished to participate.
800 adults were about the maximum number that the Lions could handle on the day so the solution was found by running the event twice a year.
This still happens today at Harrow, usually in March and November.
BBC Television's 'Its A Knockout' was the inspiration for the Lions event and participants are drawn from local Day Centres.
Hayling Island Lions, along with other lion clubs in our area are looking at organising a similar "knockout event ".
The event is not open to the public nor will it advertised anywhere, obviously there would be a report in the local
papers afterwards.
As we had to start somewhere, we have gone ahead and booked a suitable venue, the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth
for Wednesday April 18th 2012.
All we need now are the teams, along with their supporters.
A good number would be ten or more teams, each team fielding ten players..
Report from the Bognor Regis Observer
'A good time is enjoyed by all at Lions' annual It's A Knockout event'
Published on Monday 9 November 2009
Games and fun featured large in the latest It's a Knockout when more than 400 adults with learning difficulties came together for their annual knockabout
get-together in Bognor Regis. Organised by Lions Clubs from Bognor Regis, Chichester, Midhurst, Selsey and Southbourne and helped this year by the
Worthing club, the ever-popular event was held at the Arena Sports Centre.
This year, 120 competitors were cheered on by more than 300 supporters in fine voice as they shouted and cheered on their teams.
They came from L'Arche and Social Living South Bognor Regis; Aldingbourne Country Centre; Apuldram Day Centre; Wrenford Centre, CARE from Walberton,
Boundary Centre, Fitzalan Howard and the Pines from Worthing, and Ferring Country Centre.
"The noise levels never dropped from the start with the Parade of Jokers, to the finish which culminated in well-deserved trophy presentations to all
those who took part," said It's a Knockout organiser Derek Hardie, from Bognor Regis Lions Club.
This year, each team played against every other team in 15 different challenges including entertaining pursuits such as post the letter, hang out the
washing, duck pond fishing, welly bashing and even a grand prix played with broom handles and a tray.
Raising more than 1,000 in the process from individual sponsorship, the money collected will be spent by each club to provide facilities for their members.
With all involved 'having the time of their lives' said Mr Hardie, the winners this year were CARE with a silver cup donated by former mayor of Bognor Regis,
Sylvia Olliver, with the Wrenford Centre a very close second.
The Spirit of the Knockout trophy went to the Boundary Close Centre from Worthing.
All competitors received individually-named certificates together with a Lions' ribbon and medal.
Other trophies were presented by Steven Haynes from Arun District Council; Eileen Anderson, mayor of Bognor Regis; Eddy Warn, Lions' district governor;
Terry Parr, Lions' district disability officer and John Hawkins.
The continuing success of the competition has seen numbers taking part soar from the first It's a Knockout held in 2001, when 100 adults took part.
Mr Hardie said the competition aimed to fill the gap left between children with learning difficulties and adults.
"To see all the excitement and smiles on everyone's faces makes all the hard work in organising the day well worthwhile," said Mr Hardie.
The Lions club thanked staff at the Arena Sports Centre, the Royal Mail sorting office in Bognor Regis and Chichester Yacht Club for their help and support
in making the day such a success.
