IWAS is to hold its first Women's World Games in Worcester next summer ©IWAS

The International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) and University of Worcester have announced the English city is to host the first IWAS Women’s World Games next summer.

Female athletes with any physical impairment from 14-years-old and upwards will be eligible to take part in the Games, due to take place from August 27 to September 3.

The state-of- the-art facilities of the University of Worcester Arena, Malvern College and Nunnery Wood Sports Complex will play host to a preliminary sports programme of athletics, badminton, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and wheelchair fencing.

"We are delighted to be bringing the first ever IWAS Women’s World Games to Worcester for what we are sure will be a wonderful event, and one which will really capture the imagination of the local community," Mick Donovan, head of the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise Science said.

The University of Worcester is a pioneer in its development of opportunities relating to sport and was the first to develop a dedicated degree programme in disability sport coaching.

Four years ago, the University opened Britain’s first sporting arena purpose-designed for athletes with physical impairments, which will play host to several sports on the programme. 

The University of Worcester opened Britain's first sporting arena designed for athletes with physical disabilities, and is looking forward to hosting the first IWAS Women's World Games in 2018 ©University of Worcester
The University of Worcester opened Britain's first sporting arena designed for athletes with physical disabilities, and is looking forward to hosting the first IWAS Women's World Games in 2018 ©University of Worcester

Since then, it has hosted numerous national and international tournaments, including the 2015 European Wheelchair Basketball Championships.

"The IWAS Games are what we are all about at Worcester – giving athletes with all physical abilities the chance to come together to compete and enjoy sport," Donovan said. 

Charmaine Hooper, IWAS chief executive, added: "IWAS has always been committed to the development of sporting opportunities for all athletes with a physical impairment to maximise their potential, without focusing solely on elite athletes. 

"With the development and promotion of sport for female athletes a key objective of IWAS, we are delighted to kick start this initiative with the hosting of the first IWAS Women’s World Games in Worcester.

"Partnered with the wealth of experience and knowledge at the University of Worcester, we are sure the event will be a great success and will inspire women and girls around the world to participate and compete in sport."