Oxford Training Day 2026
A new initiative is taking shape in Oxford, with young sports leaders preparing to bring inclusive sport into local primary schools.
John Willis and Power2Inspire Trustee Mark Howard recently delivered a training day for Year 12 students from Oxford independent schools, hosted by Magdalen College School (MCS), one of our key partners in the city.
The aim was to give these young leaders the skills and confidence to introduce younger children to inclusive and adapted sports, helping more pupils experience activities they might not otherwise have the opportunity to try.
During the training, the sixth form students got hands-on experience of the adapted sports they will soon be teaching.
After October half term, the students will begin visiting local primary schools to deliver weekly, hour-long inclusive sports sessions. These will follow a similar format to our Games2Inspire events, but on a smaller scale, focusing on getting children involved in the activities.
For Aryan, who previously supported a Power2Inspire event at St Mary and St John School while in Year 10, the training offered a chance to experience the activities from a different perspective.
“I found John’s session today a lot of fun and really enjoyed actually playing the games this time! It was really interesting to hear his stories and about how he has risen above challenges. I’m really looking forward to teaching the younger children how to play the games.”
It’s encouraging to see young people who have previously supported our events now taking on a greater role in introducing inclusive sport to others.
To support the initiative, Power2Inspire has provided Magdalen College School with a set of specialist sports equipment, enabling the school to help lead the development of our Oxford hub.
The training day also builds on our existing work in Oxford, including the Oxford Impact Lab PowerHouseGames, as we continue creating opportunities for more young people to experience inclusive sport.
And there is already something for the new sports leaders to work towards.
Magdalen College School have set a date – 29th June 2027 – for the first PowerHouseGames they will be organising under the ‘hub’ banner, bringing together local schools to celebrate the work of the young leaders and the children they have supported throughout the year.
With several schools already on board, we’re looking forward to seeing how the initiative develops and the difference these young leaders can make in their local communities.
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.
Bedford Blues Foundation PowerHouseGames 2026
Some lessons can’t be taught in an assembly. They have to be experienced.
That’s what 90 participants discovered at our fourth Bedford Blues Foundation PowerHouseGames.
The start of a school year can feel a little strange. There are unfamiliar faces, and those first conversations don’t always come easily. For Bedford College students who had only recently started, the PowerHouseGames offered a chance to get to know each other. Staff were soon noticing new friendships forming.
Together with Bedford Blues Foundation, we brought everyone together for a morning of inclusive sport. Thankfully, the weather stayed dry as teams tried Walking Football, Touch Rugby, Kwik Cricket, Goalball, Boccia and Sitting Volleyball.
Getting stuck in together
Livingstone Primary School’s participants were excited to return after taking part in 2024, while others were discovering unfamiliar sports with new teammates.
Staff from Bedford College noticed older students looking out for younger participants. Personal tutor Harvey Foster explained:
“You don’t get to see that at college, because everyone’s a similar age, so it’s great to see them take a bit more of a responsible role in the group.”
He also pointed out a student who had been unsure about attending but was soon getting stuck into Boccia.
Teachers from Hazeldene Primary School, who brought 12 Year 6 pupils, were enjoying the connections forming:
“It’s nice to see that they’re making new friends and mixing with other children from other schools.”
For Jonathan Bungard, Deputy Head Pastoral in Bedford Modern School’s Junior School, the value went beyond the games:
“Seeing our pupils having the opportunity to interact with a really diverse range of people, of different ages and physical ability, and to better understand the need for equality, diversity and inclusion by experiencing it themselves, is more than I could possibly tell them in an assembly.”
Bellway returns for a third year
Six Bellway volunteers returned for their third year, supporting the games through volunteering and a donation. Rugby proved a favourite for some of their teams, with one volunteer saying:
“All the kids loved it. And I think we, as Bellway, loved it even more.”
We’re grateful for their continued support and enthusiasm.
Our first Inclusive Sport Partnership Award
We also presented the first Power2Inspire Inclusive Sport Partnership Award to Bedford Blues Foundation, with the team led on the day by Lilly Staniford.
The award recognises exceptional contributions to inclusive sport through partnership with Power2Inspire. The Foundation became its inaugural recipient for their outstanding support in delivering the fourth Bedford PowerHouseGames.
From setting up and delivering activities to organising teams, helping with refreshments and distributing medals and certificates, their team supported the morning right through to pack-down. The award recognised this contribution and their commitment to ensuring no one is left on the bench.
Thank you to Bedford Blues Foundation, Bellway and everyone who helped make the day possible. For the student who had been unsure about coming, we hope the memory of joining in makes the next opportunity feel a little easier.
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.
Cambridge Biomedical Campus PowerHouseGames 2026
There was an extra reason to celebrate when the PowerHouseGames returned to Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC) this September.
Among the smiles, cheers and friendly competition, one participant became the 7,000th person to take part in a PowerHouseGames, marking a huge milestone for Power2Inspire and our belief that no one should be left on the bench.
Returning to the CBC for the third time, the 116th PowerHouseGames brought together participants from Churchill School and Rowan, alongside an incredible 38 volunteers from across CBC. The biggest contingent of volunteers at the event yet.
The teams got stuck into the usual PowerHouseGames favourites, alongside some less familiar activites. Tabletop sports included table cricket, tabletop curling and polybat, while another station challenged participants with foam javeline and bean bag target throwing.
There was plenty of creativity involved too. Polybat was adapted using bean bags, with participants using the rectangular bats to flip them back and forth, a little like frying pans and pancakes. Tabletop curling also proved particularly popular, with a couple of participants enjoying it so much they said they would consider buying a set to play at home.
A celebration of belonging
Julie Spence, Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, officially opened the Games and spoke about what can happen when communities come together through sport.
“What a wonderful example this event is of what can happen when communities come together – schools, organisations, volunteers, supporters and, most importantly, people of all abilities coming together to enjoy sport and be part of a team.”
That was exactly what the morning was about: not just sharing the same space, but everyone playing alongside one another as teammates.
We were fortunate to have Paralympic gold medallist Dan Bentley with us, helping to facilitate the boccia activity.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire at the event, Dan described the PowerHouseGames as a great demonstration of inclusion.
For one participant from Rowan, it was tabletop curling that became a firm favourite:
“I found it really brilliant. With the experts and other participants, it’s great just being here. Curling has been my favourite – I love the speed, balance and just getting on with it.”
A huge part of the atmosphere came from the 38 volunteers from across Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Having volunteers join the teams is an important part of the PowerHouseGames. It gives people who might not usually meet or play sport together the chance to share the same experience.
One Campus volunteer said:
“I really enjoyed getting involved in the PowerHouseGames. There was such a positive atmosphere and it was brilliant to see everyone with all abilities getting involved and having fun.”
Celebrating our 7,000th participant
The morning also marked a particularly special PowerHouseGames milestone, as we celebrated our 7,000th participant.
Jensen was nominated as participant number 7,000 and was presented with a beach ball to mark the occasion. \
“I was nervous about the games as at previous events I have felt very overwhelmed and didn’t want to participate in anything, but the atmosphere was so welcoming. Everyone just accepted everyone else exactly as they were. I even ended up being the 7,000th attendee and won a beach ball! It was amazing to leave with a massive smile and a prize. I joined in with everything!”
For John, reaching 7,000 participants was about much more than the number itself.
“It’s all about seeing the smiles, hearing the cheers and watching people have fun together. Disabled or non-disabled, young or old, everyone can play and everyone can be included. That’s what the PowerHouseGames are all about.”
It was also fantastic to welcome Tom Jackson from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, who came along to report on the event and capture this milestone moment.
Reaching 7,000 participants is a huge milestone for the PowerHouseGames, but the number only tells part of the story. Behind it are thousands of individual experiences of playing alongside someone new, discovering a sport or simply being given the opportunity to be part of a team.
A huge thank you to Cambridge Biomedical Campus for hosting us for the third time, as well as Churchill School, Rowan, Julie Spence, Dan Bentley and all 38 Campus volunteers who helped make the 116th PowerHouseGames such a memorable one.
As Julie put it at the beginning of the morning;
“Inclusion isn’t simply about making sure everyone can take part. It is about making sure everyone feels that they belong.”
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.
Stephen Perse Games2Inspire 2026
Inclusive sport is back, although we never really left! After a quieter summer, we kicked off the new term with a Games2Inspire at Stephen Perse in Cambridge.
We began the day with an assembly from our founder, John Willis, who shared his story and introduced the Year 9 students to inclusive sport. From there, they got stuck into activities they hadn’t necessarily tried before, including goalball, sitting netball, New Age Kurling, tabletop games and sitting volleyball.
Stephen Perse told us the students were fully involved throughout the day. For Ellie, trying new sports alongside her classmates was a highlight:
“I really enjoyed the sitting volleyball and the goalball as I thought it was nice to experience working with other people in sports you haven’t done already. I also found John’s assembly very inspiring to do whatever you want in the world and not to let things stop you from that.”
John’s story stayed with other students too. Rodin said:
“John’s assembly was fantastic and it was incredibly inspiring to see what he was able to do with Power2Inspire!”
Aditi described the assembly as:
“moving and meaningful, yet humorous and light too.”
Their reflection also touched on John’s determination from a young age and the message of equality they took away from the day.
We finished the morning with a huge game of sitting volleyball involving 120 students. It was a memorable way to bring everyone together before the end of the event.
The Year 9 students have also been fundraising for Power2Inspire, turning their experience into an opportunity to help more people access inclusive sport.
So far, they have raised an amazing £240, and they hope to build on that total with support from the wider Stephen Perse community. Every donation will help us continue creating opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy sport together.
Support Year 9’s fundraising on JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/page/stephen-perse-foundation-3?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
A huge well done to everyone who took part and to the Year 9 students for supporting our work beyond the event itself. It was a brilliant way to start a new term of inclusive sport, and we’re looking forward to plenty more over the months ahead.
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.
How Boccia Champions Are Making a Difference
Great partnerships are built on a shared purpose. Our partnership with Boccia England is a perfect example.
Boccia has long been part of our PowerHouseGames because it is a sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. As our events grew, we wanted to make sure participants were getting the best possible experience.
Through conversations with Stacey, Partnerships and Engagement Manager at Boccia England, it quickly became clear that we shared the same goal: making sport more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
By working together, we found a way to make an already popular activity even better. Since then, Boccia Champions have supported PowerHouseGames across the country, from the Saracens Foundation to the University of Warwick, with even more events planned throughout the rest of the year.
Bringing Boccia to Life
The version of boccia participants experience at our PowerHouseGames may look a little different from a traditional game.
While boccia is usually played on a full-sized badminton court in singles, pairs or teams, our events are designed to make the sport accessible and enjoyable for everyone. That is where the Boccia Champions make such a difference.
Using their knowledge and experience, they adapt activities to suit each group while keeping the spirit of boccia at the heart of every session. They can introduce new challenges, simplify parts of the game or find different ways to help everyone get involved.
The success of the partnership comes from recognising what each organisation does best.
Boccia England brings specialist knowledge of the sport, while Power2Inspire creates inclusive environments where people of all ages and abilities can play together. By combining those strengths, we have created an experience that is stronger than either organisation could deliver alone.
Most importantly, it is the participants who benefit.
Creating Opportunites Beyond the Event
For many participants, it is their first introduction to boccia. We want that first experience to be positive, inclusive and the beginning of something more.
That could mean joining a local club, attending a community session or eventually progressing to competition. Together, we are helping turn a first experience of boccia into an opportunity to keep playing.
Looking Ahead
We are excited to continue growing our partnership with Boccia England, introducing more people to the sport, supporting the development of more Boccia Champions and creating stronger pathways into local clubs and competitions.
We hope every PowerHouseGames is not just an introduction to boccia, but the start of someone’s journey in the sport.
Interested in Boccia?
If you have been inspired to try boccia or are looking for a club near you, Boccia England can help you find opportunities in your local area.
You can visit their website Boccia England – The Most Inclusive Sport in England or contact them via email at info@bocciaengland.org.uk
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.
A huge thank you to Stacey Monk-Reed at Boccia England for taking the time to chat with me about the partnership. It was great to hear about everything that has been achieved so far and what’s still to come.