PARATWIRL INFORMATION
Paratwirl classes are separate classes for athletes who due their disability or condition are unable to compete in the mainstream classes. Just like the Paralympics, they run alongside the standard competiton.
- Basic Strut
- Lyrical
- Pom Strut
- Solo
- Artistic Dance Solo
Individually no. For 2025 you can only compete in the events above, but you can compete in a duet or pair. Introduction of further individual events will be reviewed after the first year.
There are 3 different age groups which reflect the developmental ages of a child and their schooling.
- 5-10 years Juvenile Para
- 11-14 years Junior Para
- 15 years plus. Senior Para
There will be 3 Classifications for 2025. When deciding which classification a para athlete should enter, the following should be considered. What is the main reason for not accessing the standard competition? Would it be the physical needs, learning needs or social emotional needs that affect the athlete the most.
Physical Disability;
- A physical disability is a “limitation on a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity, or stamina.” It has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on a person’s ability to do daily activities. (Equality Act, 2010).
- Physical disabilities may include but are not exhaustive of; degenerative neurological conditions, traumatic brain injury (physical and birth), chromosome disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, limb differences, complex medical needs.
- The disability may impede an athlete’s ability to move or walk in a coordinated way. It may affect fluidity of movement, balance, strength and stamina. It can affect one or more limb. The athlete may require a walking aid which allows them to move and walk independently.
Learning/intellectual Disability;
- A learning or intellectual disability affects the way a person learns new things throughout their life. A persons cognition will be affected. Cognition is a term for the mental processes that take place in the brain, including thinking, attention, language, learning, memory and perception. (nhs.uk 2022).
- Such a disability may cause an athlete to have difficulties comprehending, processing and retaining information (visual and auditory) that is presented to them, resulting in a slower level of understanding and attainment.
- Learning/intellectual disabilities may include but are not exhaustive of; chromosome disorders, degenerative conditions, global developmental delay and traumatic brain injury.
Social Emotional and Mental health. (SEMH)
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH) are a specific type of Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND). Children and young adults with SEMH have severe difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour. (Southampton.gov.uk 2024)
- This may be due to a number of conditions including Autism spectrum condition, ADHD, Tourette’s, social anxiety disorder, personality disorder and mood affective disorders.
- The SEMH condition may/will impede an athletes ability to interact with others, communicate, behave and manage themselves in social setting and situations.
- Athletes with SEMH needs may have an additional learning or physical disability. When deciding which classification a para athlete should enter, as stated above it should be considered whether it is the physical needs, learning needs or social emotional needs that affect the athlete the most. If support is required when deciding please liaise with the Paratwirl Director who can advise.
No there will be no levels for 2025, just age groups. Introduction of ability levels will be reviewed after the Nationals 2025.
Yes. Once it has been agreed you compete in Paratwirl you must stay in those classes for the full competition year.
Yes. For all Paratwirl events, the content will be limited to that of Level C maximum.
Athletes will only be eligible for entry to the Paratwirl classes by submitting the following;
- Copy of EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan)
- letter of confirmation of diagnosis from GP or consultant.
- Confirmation of DLA or PIP benefit letter.
In order to qualify for these will be asking for all those previously in or who would like to move into the paratwirl categories to resubmit their evidence for approval.
Athletes with the above named disabilities/conditions do NOT have to compete in the Paratwirl classes. They are able to compete in the standard classes, however they must stay in the standard classes for the duration of the competition season and cannot switch between the two.
Yes. You can compete in any team event alongside your fellow athletes, however only in teams at C Level.
Your main point of contact is Gemma Milne who is the Well-being coordinator and she can answer any queries you may have at wellbeing@unitedtwirlengland.org
A webinar for coaches and judges will be run on request by Gemma Milne and at least annually as a refresher for our coaches and judges. This will contain lots of information on how coaches can support their athletes at training.
We also hope to have as library of visual resources available to support at competitions for the Para athletes, which will include visual and symbolised programmes if needed, alongside social stories which will support athletes in what happens at a competitions.
If you need anything specific, please email the wellbing coordinator and we will do our best to support.
The judges will follow the same scoring system as the standard competition athletes. Athletes will be scored within the level they are competing or demonstrating on the competition floor.
We appreciate that some athletes may compete and perform their routine in a different way that is in line with their disability or condition.
This may be their ability to present showmanship or the use of both arms for example. Our judging team will be undertaking specific webinars and training that focus on how the paratwirl athletes may perform. This will aim to educate our judges on how to analyse these sections and how to support the development of para athletes.
At UTE we are proactive in promoting a healthy and safe well environment for all athletes.
In the future we will be posting links to pages here to support this.
If you have an ideas on what you would like to see included here please contact us at wellbeing@unitdtwirlengland.org




