Our 100th PowerHouseGames!!
100 PowerHouseGames – wow! When I reflect on this milestone I am blown away by how far we have come, how much joy there has been and how many people have been impacted by the beauty and fun of inclusive sport.
We were delighted that ITV came to highlight the event to viewers too. Get a sneak peek from this brilliant event by clicking the link here:
First to the first: it was Jeremy Macklin (now chair of Power2Inspire) and Catherine Stewart (great supporter of the charity) who took my ideas of inclusive sport and turned them into the PowerHouseGames (PHG). Jeremy was keen the elite rugby players at Cambridge University should be shown quite how privileged they were. Having them play inclusive or adapted games with SEN students and others brought them out of their ivory towers and reminded them how fortunate they were.
Kevin Martin, PE lead at Castle Special School, believed in the concept and is now one of our greatest champions. He suggested 12 was the best number – ideal for their minibus – so the format was set. Twelve teams of 6 with each team member coming from a different group. The men and women from Cambridge University Rugby Club provided the bulk of the participants, PEM (local accountants) brought 12, as did Felsted and Impington Village College.
The first was a huge success but it took time to gain traction. Year 2 – 2019 – saw three PHGs. We managed 3 in each of the covid years (of which I am enormously proud) and exploded to 11 in 2022, showing there was real demand. That growth has continued with 23 in 2024 and an astonishing 30 last year!
And the success has seen growth around the country, having reached Worcester, Durham, Folkestone, Lord’s and Leicester Tigers. Next month we are off to Saracens Rugby Club, and we will be revisiting the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey and Oxford University this coming term.
Some numbers: 6,000 participants, of whom 1,800 have a declared impairment; 36 venues; 15 counties; 217 groups from 201 organisations; 22 different sports or games; and the largest game of sitting netball ever with 100 players!
For the 100th PHG we invited back numerous schools and businesses who have supported us on this journey:
- Schools: Felsted, The Perse, Littlegarth, Quilters, Landmark, Churchill, and, of course, Castle.
- Businesses: PEM, and Illumina
- Community: the Cambridge University Sports Staff and fundraiser James.
But we are always looking forward, so the students came from Wolfson College, their first time, and from their responses, not their last!
As ever, Power2Inspire’s No. 1 Rule – “To have FUN!” – was met in spades. In addition to the most commonly played four – boccia, new age kurling, sitting volleyball and goalball – we played rugby netball (introduced by Emily Hartwell of Saracens) and kwik cricket (as a thank you to cricket lover and great volunteer David Ellis).
And, as is now becoming a tradition of the Games, we finished with a giant game of sitting netball – “organised chaos”, “great fun”, surprisingly competitive!”
The occasion was marked with a presentation to the Cambridge University Sports Centre – hosting for the 40th time – accepted by Prof. Bhaskar Vira, Pro Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University for Education and Environmental Sustainability.
Those are the facts. But they only tell half the story.
Kevin Martin of Castle explains the value of the PowerHouseGames:
“The PowerHouseGames is a fantastic event, such a valuable experience for our students (one they don’t normally have) to socialise and interact with people from all walks of life in a totally inclusive event. Our students treasure this experience, and it often inspires them to challenge themselves further both socially and physically in new environments. The other school pupils, university students and volunteers from local businesses, benefit too, from integrating with our fantastic students. Get involved – it really is worthwhile.”
Charlotte and Cheryl from the Perse wrote:
“We were first introduced to the Powerhouse Games in Year 8 when we spent a day playing inclusive games within our year group. We raised money for the Power to Inspire charity.
First, we were allocated our teams, with everyone from different schools, giving us a chance to meet new people. Our T-Shirts were of different colours adorned with a logo celebrating 100 PowerHouseGames.
The rules were clear and simple – have fun! We were presented with an itinerary of sports but they came with a twist, they were modified to accommodate all abilities and ages. No matter the outcome, everyone stayed positive and encouraged each other.
Everyone made a huge effort to get to know each other and formed a strong group bond, ensuring everyone felt included and nobody was left on the bench!
Our favourite sports included, sitting volleyball – where the whole team was sitting down and had to push a large inflated beachball to the other team – and goalball where half of the team were blindfolded and the other half gave directions as to where a ball with a bell was heading.
We were all awarded gold medals, a certificate and we were allowed to keep our T-Shirts as a memento. We are so grateful to have been given this opportunity and we hope that PowerHouseGames continue to inspire others for another 100 games until no one is ever left on the bench!”
My favourite moments include:
- The 50 year old wheelchair user who had never played sport and become institutionally disabled, scoring a hoop in sitting netball, his first ever score. His smile will live with me forever.
- The teaching assistant crying as her student joined in for the first time at anything – “This is life changing!”
- The young SEN student shouting out, after everyone had roared back “YES!” to my question, “Have you had fun?”, “I have had the best day of my life!”.
Please help us – by volunteering, fundraising, networking, or donating – to reach 200 PowerHouseGames and beyond.
You can help make more “Best days of my life!” come true.
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.
Huge thanks to Paul Sanwell and Chris Fell for the amazing photographs. And, of course, young Mackenzie from Churchill who spent the entire session helping, learning about photography and taking photos with the pros!
All photos used with permission.
Worcester PowerHouseGames - a triumph!
What a triumph! The fourth PowerHouseGames at the marvellous Worcester Arena, saw five schools come together with University of Worcester students to make yet another wonderful day of inclusive sport.
This was a first for me – despite it being our 87th PowerHouseGames! – in that I had no involvement in organising or running the games. And that makes me so excited, because it means our goal to continue this work after I ‘retire’ from Power2Inspire, is attainable.
We will deliver 30 PHGs this year and the demand is for even more – we want to grow this success around the country which inevitably means more Games with less and less of me! Please help us deliver that goal.
This event was such a success due to the brilliant, inspiring and wonderful teacher, Rebecca Foster. She encouraged 17 students from her sports courses to host 54 pupils from local special needs schools in 6 inclusive sports, with help from Matt Cowdrey of Worcester Warriors Foundation and Charlie Greening of Worcestershire County Cricket. The ambassadors were Archie Eaton, who led the boccia too, Imogen Longworth, wheelchair basketball and Alice Hopkins, medal-winning blind footballer for England.
Congratulations to Jeremy Macklin, Power2Inspire’s indefatigable Chair, who supported Becs Foster and acquired the snacks and sandwiches.
A big thanks to the five schools and their pupils: Rigby Hall, Nunnery Wood, Christopher Whitehead, Southall and Regency. With 54 pupils with SEND and 8 of the 17 Worcester students having an impairment, this was the highest percentage of disabled participants we have ever had at a PHG. The diversity of abilities and impairments made it fully inclusive and the fun and joy in the hall ensured, “No one was left on the bench!”
It was not just the pupils who left with smiles. Here are some of the Worcester students’ comments:
Jake Griffiths:
“I want to thank you for the opportunity to be part of the event today. I loved every moment of it, and it gave me more confidence with my coaching. I felt like I came out of my comfort zone by teaching a sport I had never heard about until you told me I was teaching it. I felt like I adapted well to the new sport and the kids were also amazing. It was very helpful that everyone listened to me, and it gave them more time to enjoy goalball. I would 100% do this again if it happens next year!”
Student from Worcester Uni:
“Becs, this made my day!!! Thank you so much, I had a fab time and really enjoyed it. I loved every minute of it, and I felt I connected really well with my team which was amazing.
Without you and your disability modules I would never have done anything close to this, and past experiences similar to this one, so thank you for giving me and other students the opportunity to get stuck in; and to enable me to help all pupils fall in love with sport no matter their ability!”
Student from Worcester Uni:
“I had a BRILLIANT time! The kids were great to work with. As for Alice… I want to be like her when I grow up :).
I had a rough night sleep – a bit of a blocked nose. I was questioning if I could make it at 5am. But honestly, I am SO glad I did! It was a great day, and when I heard one of the girls say ‘Why can’t she (i.e. me) work at our school?’ it made me sooo happy! I just want to spread joy (and jam). Can’t wait for the next event :)”
Power2Inspire’s No. 1 Rule is to Have FUN! Worcester University and the pupils of the 5 schools lived that rule. Thank you to the Eveson Trust for enabling such a wonderful day – let us have more in Worcester, please!
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 from the February 2025 Games in Worcester.
SS1K 2025 at Histon
Bank Holiday Monday, 5th May, dawned cool but dry—perfect weather for the seventh SuperSensory Inclusive Kilometre (SS1K) at Histon Recreation Ground, just north-east of Cambridge. From 11:00 am, the grounds buzzed with anticipation as 80 participants—including six wheelchair users, residents from a local care home, and numerous families—gathered to take part in this unique, heartwarming event.
A Festival of Senses and Smiles
The SS1K isn’t your typical fun run. Instead, it’s a kilometre-long journey designed to delight all five senses, ensuring that everyone—regardless of age or ability—can participate and enjoy.
The route featured five imaginative sensory stations, each offering a different experience:
- Smell: A tent filled with curious aromas, not only orchestrated by Annabel Sykes and Jenny, but populated by their imaginative contributions from garden and home. The oils (dabbed on tissues) were particularly interesting
- Sight: A blacked-out gazebo with bubble machines and a funhouse mirror, drawing laughter and awe from children and adults alike, brilliantly supervised by trustees and volunteer Tim Jones.
- Touch: An array of tactile objects, run by the wonderful Lucy Bullen-Smith, whom I met at the excellent Pinpoint conference.
- Hearing: Noisy toy instruments and a jolly playlist, a hit with the youngest participants, hosted by Shona Brading and family and ably assisted by Chris Connor.
- Taste: A favourite, where brave souls sampled everything from sweets to cheese, provided by David and Louise Ellis and run by Steve Shaw.
Community Spirit in Action
The SS1K is a true community effort, brought to life by dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors. This year, One Broker sponsored one of the sensory stands, while Cambridge Rotary Club South supported another, ensuring each station was a hive of activity and joy. The event also owes much to the Histon Impington Friends of the Rec, whose behind-the-scenes work kept everything running smoothly.
A Tapestry of Participants
What makes the SS1K so special is its inclusivity. Among the 80 participants were six wheelchair users, and at least a dozen residents from a nearby care home. Families from across the community joined in, some returning for their second or third SS1K, others experiencing the magic for the first time. The event’s motto—“No one left on the bench!” —was on full display, as people of all abilities ran, walked, or wheeled their way around the course, cheered on by volunteers and each other.
Moments to Remember
The SS1K is more than just a physical challenge—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the simple joy of moving together. To the volunteers mentioned above we would like to extend our thanks to Rob and Rosie Scott, who came just to help set up; Oliver Johnson and Tristan Martin from the Cambridge University Football Club; Asa Fletcher-Snow and Yusuf Izhac from Fitzwilliam College who helped set up or down or both, or with one of the stations.
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.
Murray Edwards & Peterhouse PowerHouseGames 2025
Sarah Scheckter, fellow of Murray Edwards and a governor at North Cambridge Academy, brought the two institutions together, offering a PowerHouseGames to link these very different educational establishments. Add in Gretton School, a specialist provider for autistic learners and volunteers from Illumina and we had a very diverse mix of participants.
We were delighted Gretton attended for the first time. Naturally concerned that a PowerHouseGames would be
“right for his students, they would find the mixing very difficult”
Jack Lee is a full convert.
This is how he reported to his colleagues the evening after the Games:
“For those unfamiliar with the games, they have been created for learners to have the opportunity to take part in team sports with Power2Inspire’s ethos of ‘No one left on the bench’.
When we arrived we were greeted by our gracious hosts who directed us to the different volunteers, fundraisers and Cambridge university students who would make up the teams supporting the different schools taking part.
Each one of our learners were assigned a team of people that had never met before and took this in their stride showing wonderful leadership, communication and dedication skills.”
“The learners took part in all events in their teams such as sitting volleyball and netball, boccia, kurling, blind football and cricket before a 12 team mixed sit down netball match to finish.
Staff were overwhelmed with glee as learners introduced themselves to their teammates, took part and did their best throughout and even having lunch with their teammates.
It is so good to hear that all learners wish to return as they enjoyed meeting new people and the events of the day with quotes from one learner saying, ‘I enjoyed it, myself and my teammate were just vibing’.
Each learner has come away with a medal, certificate, T-Shirt of their team colours and represented their school so proudly.
Gretton are very excited to be returning for the next games, well done to all learners and thank you for the staff support.”
Jack enjoyed it so much he joined in too! We are looking forward to them returning as often as we can accommodate them.
A big thank you to the volunteers from Peterhouse, an all-male gang to complement the women from Murray Edwards; and to the Perse, who attended for their sixth time! What a wonderful morning of fun, inclusive sport.
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.
Goodenough College PowerHouseGames 2025
We returned to Goodenough College on Saturday 1st March for a PowerHouseGames with a difference. The forty residents and students, with their friends, played five games in the Great Hall, and learnt all about inclusive and adapted sports.
The College, “London’s finest post-graduate community”, has a core purpose of building international understanding. Quite a few among the 700 residents have never played inclusive sports, not played with people from other races, faiths and even gender, so our PowerHouseGames showcased a way to work together.
Ten teams of four battled it out (in a friendly manner) over boccia, new age kurling, goalball and sitting volleyball. There was much laughter, hilarity and smiles. We finished with a giant game of sitting netball.
Hamza Buhari said:
“Taking part in the Power2Inspire PowerHouseGames was an incredible experience — one that was both fun and deeply inspiring. The event truly lived up to its motto, “No one left on the bench,” as every activity was designed to ensure full inclusion, proving how easily sports can be modified to accommodate everyone.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of the day was realising how small adjustments—such as teaming up or adapting the rules—can make games accessible to all. Goalball, for example, required a level of trust and teamwork that made it especially rewarding. Sitting netball, on the other hand, was pure chaotic fun! With everyone on the floor, the energy in the room was electric, and the experience was both motivational and educational.
Beyond the games themselves, the true highlight of the day was the sense of camaraderie and shared joy between participants, volunteers, and organisers. Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, and the PowerHouseGames showcased that in the best possible way.
A huge thank you to Power2Inspire and all those who made the event possible. I left feeling not just entertained but inspired—and I can’t wait for the next one!”
And Marcio Fonseca said:
“I had the immense honour of participating in the Power2Inspire PowerHouseGames at Goodenough College, a truly memorable experience. As a professional athlete, I’ve competed in several tournaments around the world, but I’ve been amazed at how intense, competitive, and at the same time fun the PowerHouseGames are. What makes this event even more special is its inclusive nature: everyone can participate, regardless of experience level or physical condition. More than just a competition, PowerHouseGames represent the best that sport has to offer: overcoming, team spirit, fair play and, above all, the celebration of diversity. In the end, there is nothing to pay for the joy stamped on the faces of the participants and the strong sense of community experienced throughout the event.”
Thanks to Paul Chatfield, Chris Smith and Lindsay Dodsworth, my wife and a trustee of the College, for volunteering. But the biggest thanks go to Alan McCormack, the Dean, and Charley Light, who did all the cajoling!
These games have already spawned one more – the Care City Games in December 2024 – and we have high hopes for more. If any alumni would like to explore taking a PowerHouseGames home, 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.