Accentuate

Inspired by the Paralympic Movement Accentuate has focused on creating a cultural shift over the last 1000 days in the lead up to the 2012 Paralympic Games. The Accentuate programme has brought together disabled sports people and artists, inspired young people and developed international connections to share experiences and identities across the globe with the aim of increasing visibility and impact as well being passionate about backing and promoting talent. As we near the opening of the 2012 Paralympic Games, Accentuate is ready to sprint off the starting line, propelled by our pride in what has been achieved so far. However we are taking part in a marathon and we are committed to the legacy and opportunity ahead of us.
Accentuate, is delighted to have supported the Disabled British Open Golf for four years, along with encouraging the next generation of elite disabled athletes through the Playground to Podium Extension fund.  The 2012 Disabled British Open is taking place this weekend on August 24-26 at the East Sussex National Golf Club in Uckfield.
This year promises to be a very special occasion, taking place amongst the excitement leading up to the 2012 London Paralympic Games and once again providing a great showcase for the growing number of people with disabilities who play golf and other sports.
The competition is over-subscribed despite the number of players being increased from 72 to 84, and has its first scratch golfer this year, Paralympic legend Monique Kalkman, travelling from California. Monique has won gold medals previously in both wheelchair table-tennis and wheelchair tennis, the first woman to succeed in two separate disciplines. Other competitors will be coming from more countries than ever before, from as far afield as Pakistan, South Africa and the USA. In addition to the Disabled British Open event, Accentuate has also helped support a Junior Event which runs alongside the main tournament, encouraging the next generation of disabled golfers.
The Disabled British Open is now delivered by a new company, Remarkable Events, which is a partnership between Tourism South East and Azalea. There is now a title sponsor, YourGolfTravel  who’s commitment to charitable causes culminated recently in company co-founder Ross Marshall being nominated to carry the Olympic torch.  He and co-founder Andrew Harding were so impressed with the quality of golf on display from the participants that they decided to get involved. Together, they have used their success to help raise thousands for various charities over the years, and this year the event will also benefit The Seve Ballesteros foundation.
Today, such is the profile and excitement surrounding the yourgolftravel.com Disabled British Open that many believe Paralympic golf has a strong chance of being included in the 2020 games.
All three tournaments to date have been televised by Sky Sports with a one-hour highlights programme televised four times. The tournament now has the backing from the English Golf Union, The R&A, The European Tour and the Minister for Media Culture and Sport, the Right Honourable Jeremy Hunt MP.
In addition to the Disabled British Open, Accentuate have supported a regional extension fund to Playground to Podium, overseen by the English Federation of Disability Sports (EFDS), aiming to provide local support to enable participation in regional and possibly national events. The fund offered grants to emerging disabled athletes, sports clubs and coaches across a range of sports.
To date 53 athlete bursaries have been awarded through this fund to talented new athletes, supporting them to progress more quickly. For example, Rachel Emmanuel was identified by her school as part of P2P and invited to attend the 2010 Berkshire County Athlete Assessment Day, where she was assessed by England Athletics Disability Athletics Support Officer who identified her for follow up support. Rachel was then supported to join Reading AC where she has been a member since January 2011, working with coach Kevin Boyle. ‘The bursary from Accentuate is a big help to her in meeting her sporting needs. This will contribute to her expenses in her kit, memberships, sporting fees, travel and stay. This has been a big encouraging and motivating factor.’  Rachel has competed in a number of competitions and has recently been invited to attend the UKA Talent I.D squad.

Accentuate is the London 2012 Legacy Programme for the South East.  Accentuate has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding ideas and local talent to inspire creativity across the UK, SEEDA and the Regional Cultural Agencies. Screen South is the home of Accentuate.