Cambridge University Football Club PowerHouseGames 2024
Our annual Cambridge University Association Football Club (CUAFC) PowerHouseGames took place on Thursday, 3rd October 2024, once again living up to its reputation as a fantastic event!
This year’s games were held at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre, with participation from local schools Ivel Valley, Churchill, and Stephen Perse.
It was wonderful to have two SEN schools attend and see students who might not naturally gravitate towards sports develop confidence and form relationships with their peers through adapted sports.
Charlotte Wells, from Stephen Perse School, perfectly captured this sentiment, sharing her excitement over her students’ development:
“I’m thrilled with how much the students grew. Many of them didn’t consider themselves sporty at the start, but by the end, they’d gained so much confidence.”
This sentiment was echoed by many of the attending teachers and support staff, who noted how fully engaged and immersed all the students were throughout the day.
The PowerHouseGames have truly become a platform for every student to shine, regardless of their physical abilities or athletic ability.
The CUAFC students were once again pivotal in making the day such a success with a record number of 42 student volunteers. As always, it was a pleasure to work with them!
We received some wonderful feedback from the CUAFC players:
Asa Campbell: “The PowerHouse Games are a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding event. I had a lot of fun playing the games and talking with the children, and it was great to see them gain confidence throughout the day. I’d highly recommend people get involved in whatever way they can.”
Dan Lofts: “PowerHouse Games was a very enjoyable experience! It was great to play different games with the children from three different schools and see them all engage in a wide range of activities.”
Deniz Özer: “Volunteering at PowerHouse Games was a wonderful experience. It was a joy to see the children having fun playing all-inclusive sports and encouraging each other throughout the day.”
We also have some exciting news — at least five CUAFC players will be running the Cambridge Half Marathon to support Power2Inspire in March 2025.
Community Outreach Officer, Patrick Brownlow, touched on this, whilst also
sharing some glowing feedback for our dedicated team:
“PowerHouseGames has become an annual tradition at CUAFC, and I was really proud to see more volunteers than ever from the club for this year’s event. It’s clear from the reactions that it’s a great time for all involved and hugely beneficial for the children. Oli Johnson and I would like to add that the team from Power2Inspire, led by John and supported by the entire staff, have been so easy to work with. They make it incredibly easy for us as a club to participate—from communication to organization, everything is top-notch. We are very proud to be supporting the charity and are excited to see how much money our half-marathon runners will raise for the cause.”
The day was packed with memorable moments, but a rather funny anecdote shared by John definitely deserves a mention:
“Patrick kindly volunteered to help me buy food in the morning. But when we got outside for lunch all the food had vanished! The day’s energy certainly brought out an appetite among the footballers!”
The team at Power2Inspire can’t wait to see what next year’s CUAFC PowerHouseGames has in store— we’re certain that it will be another brilliant day!
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
Games2Inspire at St Peter's Catholic Primary School
On September 30th, we were absolutely delighted to return to St Peter’s Catholic Primary School in Billericay for our third Games2Inspire at the school!
John kicked off the day with a whole-school assembly. The assembly is always a fantastic opportunity for the students, teachers, and volunteers to hear about John’s life lessons, learn how sports can be adapted for all abilities, and better understand the value of inclusivity in all areas of life. As always, John’s message was clear: sports are for everyone, and together we can make sure that “no one is left on the bench.”
Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 participated in sitting netball, sitting volleyball, goalball and new age kurling. John’s hope was that students would walk away with not just an appreciation for these new, inclusive sports but also a deeper connection with their peers of various abilities. This certainly came to life, especially with Year 4, who learned an additional, unexpected lesson: the lesson of consequences!
The Year 4 group had been overly excited and found it difficult to focus when asked. As a result, they missed one of the game rotations during their session. However, when John asked the group what they had learned, one student shouted “consequences”; a response that demonstrated a powerful message about the value of listening and respect.
John also recalled one particularly touching moment from his visit:
“A student who had struggled to fully participate in the activities for various reasons came over to me, with his teacher, for a little chat. The teacher shared that the student absolutely loved to draw. This sparked a lovely conversation between us and, it turned out, this student particularly enjoys drawing penguins – a delightful coincidence, as many of us know my infamous penguin story! And so, I asked them if they would consider drawing a penguin for me. Not long before the day came to a close, this same student came over, beaming with pride, and handed me several penguin drawings, all addressed to me. It was a beautiful moment that truly showcased how seen, valued, and included this student felt. He found his own unique way to contribute, and it was heartwarming for everyone involved.”
The day served as a reminder of the power of connection, inclusion, and the difference that small acts of recognition can make. A huge thank you to St Peter’s for having Power2Inspire back once again. We look forward to the next one!
What are Games2Inspire?
Games2Inspire events are incredible events, most often hosted in schools, with an assembly and sports day which includes activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants get to meet our inspirational founder, John Willis, and hear all about how John has overcome obstacles in his life. They then get to put that learning to practice by playing adapted games and sports together learning new skills and being encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, learning to respect other people’s differences. Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Games2Inspire in your school / college / company / community group then we would love to hear from you.
We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
Wonderful morning at the Shelford SS1K
The Shelford SuperSensory Inclusive Kilometre (SS1K) took place on Sunday, 29th September 2024 at Shelford Recreation Ground just outside Cambridge — and what a wonderful morning it was! It was all part of the Shelford 5K Fun Run event.
This year’s SS1K was sponsored by Illumina, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and contribution in helping us continue to bring inclusive sports into communities.
As with all SS1Ks, the route featured five sensory stations, each designed to stimulate one of the five senses: smell, sight, touch, hearing, and taste. These stations are designed to be accessible for disabled participants, who often find innovative ways to engage with the activities.
Maya Hodgson, a volunteer and Cambridge University alumna, shared her experience:
“I had a wonderful time volunteering with Power2Inspire at the Shelford SuperSensory1K. Seeing the joy and pride on the children’s faces when they completed the course was very special. I loved that each child had a different favorite sense station—although unsurprisingly, taste came out on top!”
For families with both disabled and non-disabled children, the SS1K is often one of the first events they can attend and enjoy together! It is always brilliant to see the joy felt amongst these families, volunteers, and community members. Karine Verquin, from Illumina, shared,
“I loved being involved in this event. We prepared a couple of sensory boards and collected various items from nature, household objects, and toys for the Touch sense station. It was fascinating to engage with children and adults and see their reactions. Putting a smile on children’s faces was very rewarding.”
The positive impact of our SS1K’s for corporate volunteers is certainly evident. Illena Blackwood, from Illumina, also added,
“I really enjoyed the event; being part of it was truly rewarding. It was great to see the children recognise various smells and learn how to activate them in their hands.”
It was delightful to see new volunteers from the University of Cambridge contributing to the day’s success as well! University student, Issy Davey, shared,
“I absolutely loved helping at the Shelford SS1K. Seeing all the children smiling when they received their medals after crossing the finish line was so rewarding. It was such a fun event!”
The medals offered at the SS1Ks clearly make a big impact, and for many of the recipients, they may never have received a medal like this before. University student Alasdair Fletcher commented on this, saying,
“The sensory 1K was a great experience for me! I loved helping the kids at each station and presenting them with their medals at the finish was so much fun.”
The success of the 2024 event promises even more exciting developments in the future, and we are excited to return next year!
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you would like to support us in our mission to “embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes” then we would love to hear from you. Would you like to host a SuperSensory1K at your local Fun Run or Park Run? Or would you like to volunteer at our next event? Or could you give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.
All photos used with permission
Cambridge University Rugby Union PowerHouseGames 2024
After last year’s brilliant outdoor games, we returned to the fantastic Cambridge University Sports Centre on Friday, September 27th, 2024, buzzing with energy as we hosted the annual Cambridge University Rugby Club (CURUFC) PowerHouseGames!
We were thrilled to welcome students from Castle School, Landmark International School, and Ely College to this year’s event, alongside the men’s and women’s rugby squads. All were united by one goal: to celebrate the power of inclusion through sport. A special thanks must go to PEM, our longstanding corporate sponsor for this event. The team has loved being part of our initiatives in previous years, and their enthusiasm for the games continues to shine brightly, promising an enduring partnership.
Everyone came together to play inclusive and adapted games including boccia, new age kurling, and touch rugby. The day was once again a vibrant celebration of teamwork and community spirit, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated.
The students encouraged each other to challenge their beliefs about ability and disability, learning to respect each other’s differences and understand how they can help one another succeed.
Feedback from CURUFC volunteers was overwhelmingly positive. One player, Harry, recalled participating in PowerHouseGames while at school and expressed how special it was to be part of the event as a volunteer a few years later:
“It was so much fun to get involved with the PowerHouseGames on Friday. Seeing people of all ages coming together and enjoying sport was lovely. I was especially glad to be able to participate since I took part in the PowerHouseGames when I was at school.”
For Women’s Blues Captain, Bethan, the event offered a powerful message about inclusion:
“All of our players had a brilliant time at the PowerHouseGames session. It was such a rewarding and enjoyable day. As rugby players who get a lot of joy out of our time with our teammates, we loved the message that sports should be inclusive and available to absolutely everyone, no matter their ability level.”
Fergus, the Men’s Blues Captain, expressed huge appreciation for participating in such an inspiring event:
“It was an absolute privilege to attend the PowerHouseGames alongside my teammates. For me, it was a true reminder of the power and importance of sport, especially for those who may have previously been excluded. John and the team created such an enthusiastic and inclusive atmosphere, and it’s a day I will forever look back on fondly.”
Each PowerHouseGames event reminds us of the power of adapted sports—how they bring together people of all abilities and capture values of inclusivity, joy and camaraderie.
We are hugely grateful to PEM, all the schools and volunteers who made this day so brilliant. We’re already looking forward to next year’s PowerHouseGames and hope to make it even bigger and better!
Corporate partners are vital to us as they allow us to create these fun events. If your company would like to get involved, help the community, and provide worthwhile volunteering for your employees, please get in touch.
What are PowerHouseGames?
PowerHouseGames are incredible sports days using adapted games and sports, with activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, old and young, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants are encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, to learn to respect other people’s differences, and Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
Would your university sports team, or school love to be involved in a PowerHouseGames? Could your company support our mission by volunteering at one of our PowerHouseGames? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer individually at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. There are SO MANY WAYS we can all help to ensure “no on else is left on the bench!” Click the button here to find out more.
All photos used with permission.
Festival of Inclusive Sport at Milton Country Park
We were thrilled to announce our new partnership with Cambridge Sport Lakes, which played a crucial role in launching our first Festival of Inclusive Sport at the beautiful Milton Country Park in Cambridge.
Despite the downpours and late-night celebrations following England’s advance to the Euro 2024 semifinals on Saturday evening, we received an incredible 125 sign-ups for the event on the morning of Sunday, 7th July.
We are grateful to everyone who joined us and made the day so special! From 10 am to 1 pm, we hosted four inclusive activities:
- Our SuperSensory1K (SS1K) – For more information on our SS1K, check out our Super Sensory page.
- You Can Bike Too – Attendees tried out various accessible cycles on a loop around Todd’s Pit, courtesy of the You Can Bike Too charity. The adapted bikes attracted a lot of attention and enthusiasm from participants!
- Boccia – A fun and engaging Olympic sport for everyone to enjoy
- Blindfold Trail – Participants were required to navigate a trail without using their eyes, relying on their other senses to guide them.
The day wouldn’t have been the same without our superstar volunteers. A big thank you to Patrick Gosling and Tony Collins, who are fantastic supporters of Power2Inspire and came down to support us. We also welcomed our French exchange student volunteers through connections with the Rotary Club, which was very exciting.
It was also wonderful to see Rob Scott, from Samworth Brothers, who enjoyed his time at the Leicester Tigers PowerHouseGames so much that he joined us again and brought his daughter along this time too! They ran the smell and sight station in the SS1K along with Tony and some of the student volunteers.
The wonderful volunteers Parthiban Vijayarangakannan and his son Harish managed the sound station, while Jeremy Macklin, Power2Inspire Chair of Trustees, led the taste station. A big thanks to Living Sport volunteers who took charge of the touch station, making for a wonderful SS1K.
We were delighted to also have Gemma Thake, one of our Trustees, along with her son Ruben and partner Greg, come down to help. The presence and support from Milton Country Park and Living Sport were also greatly appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to making our Festival of Inclusive Sport at Milton Country Park truly memorable. We look forward to more events here in the future!
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you would like to support us in our mission to “embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes” then we would love to hear from you. Would you like to host a SuperSensory1K at your local Fun Run or Park Run? Or would you like to volunteer at our next event? Or could you give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.