Oxford University PowerHouseGames 2025
Everyone involved
What a joy it was to be back in Oxford for our second PowerHouseGames in the city and to celebrate with the SDG Impact Lab. It was Oliver Cook’s last event with the Lab, as he moves on to fresh employment. Ollie has left a great legacy – the sports leadership programme has been a huge success.
Leading the leaders
Working with two sets of three state schools with students facing typical inner city challenges, Oxford University students help them with skills, leadership and compassion, or as Ollie puts it ‘hand, head, heart’.
The PowerHouseGames created the opportunity to bring all six schools together and by including John Watson, a special school, there was a real chance to practise all three aspects: skill in the games, leadership to include all in their team, and compassion to engage the SEND students. With the excellent support of the Oxford students, all the programme students rose to the challenge.
Always adapting to include everyone!
Having 8 in each team meant a tweak to the way we play the games. For new age kurling and boccia we split the stations in two, so there were two matches of each being played, to occupy more participants. Sitting volleyball was moved to the nearby ‘dojo’ room, ideal with its soft floor – diving around was even more fun! Touch rugby, sitting netball and goalball completed the set.
Thank you!
A big thank you to the schools: Greyfriars Catholic School, Oxford Spires School, Oxford Academy, Swan School, Cherwell School and Cheney School. And to the students, fabulously organised by Dan and Naomi, you are wonderful ambassadors for the programme and Oxford University.
Building for the future
The support of Alex Betts, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement, Sport, and Community) at the University is pivotal to the success of the PowerHouseGames and I hope the beginning of a long partnership.
We really want to develop our engagement within Oxford, the university, city and environs, and create a hub that will endure and bring inclusive sport to many generations of students.
And finally...
Both Andrew Bailey and Edith Cameron took stunning photos, bringing out the fun and joy of the morning as you have seen in this post. Thank you!
And a huge congrats and good luck to Ollie – we look forward to working with you in your new capacity!
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.
A PowerHouseGames First at Bottisham Village College
Chris Darling, PE teacher from Bottisham Village College (about 10 miles east of Cambridge) was so excited by what he saw at the Hawks Ospreys PowerHouseGames in March he was determined to bring a version to his school. And he did!
Real commitment to the cause
On a rather damp Wednesday he gathered his sports leaders and some Y7s and Y8s to form the core of 10 teams. We invited Castle Special School – Claire Laidler was adamant:
“We wouldn’t miss these Games for anything!”
and Chris went and collected the Sawston Village College students as they had transport issues!
And the students showed commitment too: it was damp when Stephen Peak and I arrived – thank you Stephen for volunteering again! – and drizzled a little, but the children were intent on having fun.
Adapting the games to match the environment
We adapted the games as we were outside on an artificial pitch, not ideal for sitting down on wet grass. Sitting volleyball was on chairs with a raised net; and goalball players used flat discs for one knee to take up the “Spiderman” pose. Kwik cricket and boccia carried on as normal, and football became blindfold slalom dribbling and shooting.
The Bottisham sports leaders were outstanding – really engaging with the students in their team with challenges whether from Castle or Sawston. A couple of the visitors found it too much and stepped away from the games but, as their teachers said, it was wonderful they even came, represented their school and saw life outside of their usual bubble.
Let's go again
A grand day and our first of this type. All the teachers were very keen to repeat so we need to find the funding (to include transport) to ensure we can do so next year. If you know anyone that could help please do get in touch below.
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.
St Faith's Games2Inspire 2025
We’ve run Games2Inspire at St Faith’s five times now, and each visit feels more familiar. There’s a rhythm to the day, but it never feels the same. This time, we started with an assembly for a group of Year 6, 7 and 8 pupils. They were curious, respectful and seemed to understand what we were trying to do: learning the growth mindset in practical situations.
After the talk, we spent the morning teaching them five games: boccia, new age kurling, sitting volleyball, sitting netball and goalball. Boccia and goalball took place outside while the rest were indoors. They picked everything up quickly and were ready for the afternoon’s challenge: the arrival of 80 Year 5s. Once we explained the purpose behind the games – to include everyone, to ensure “No one left on the bench!” – they weren’t just taking part, they were ready to lead, to ensure everyone felt welcome and included.
After training we had a boccia tournament. Ten teams, five games going on at once, and a lot of excitement. Tony Collett, who has supported us for a long time, helped with scoring. At first it felt light-hearted, but once they realised there was a trophy on the table, the energy changed. The all-girl team that called themselves “PEE” won. Watching the three girls lift the trophy with proper pride was a great way to finish the session.
St Faith’s has been a great supporter of Power2Inspire for a number of years now. We’re especially grateful to Charmaine Switsur and Nick Thompson for their continued personal support on the day and for the generous donation the school gave us last year, organised by Mike Critchley. This support helps us put on inclusive sports days at Cambridge University, that brings special needs schools to play with students from independent and state schools.
St. Faith’s Sports Day 2025
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.
Games2Inspire events in Oxford 2025
Thanks to the financial support of Magdalen College School, we were able to run two back-to-back Games2Inspire at primary schools in Oxford in June. One was at St Mary and St John School, the other at St John Fisher Catholic Primary. Everyone had fun at both, and the events made a real impact.
At St Mary and St John, we started with an assembly for Years 3 to 6. The pupils were open and engaged, and the hall felt full of potential. We moved on to workshops with each year group, bringing to the school inclusive and adapted sports.
One moment stood out: a young girl in a wheelchair, who I’ll call K, wasn’t able to leave her chair. At first, it seemed like she might miss out, but our games are designed for this challenge. We introduced K and her wonderful PE teacher, Tom Guy, to boccia, the most inclusive game in the world of sports. The sense of achievement when propelling her ball down a ramp towards the jack, brought the most delightful smile. Tom, who had not known how to use the boccia equipment, lurking in the sports cupboard, promised to run a boccia tournament for the whole school to ensure K is included. What a fabulous outcome!
Then, during sitting netball, we placed K in what is usually an exclusion zone around the hoop and removed the hoop. Her team had to place the ball on her lap, and she had to push it off her lap into a bucket, to score a net. When she did it, her smile lit up the hall – she had scored her very first team goal/net/score in her life and had been included in a team game!
The second Games2Inspire at St John Fisher was quieter – with only one form entry in each year group. With only 30 pupils in each session and shorter time slots, they played three, not four games: goalball, new age kurling and sitting volleyball. The Year 6s so enjoyed it in the morning they volunteered to return in the afternoon to help lead the sessions. They were patient and calm, and that ensured their younger schoolmates stayed focused, despite the heat.
Jemima Coleman from Magdalen College School joined us on the first day and brought four boys from the school to support. They got involved straight away. No fuss, just action: they set up stations, gave instructions and guided them in the playing of the games. They were great ambassadors for Magdalen College School and showcased the benefits of the independent school supporting delivery in a state school.
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.
One final challenge – reflections on the Stewartby Triathlon 2025
On Sunday 15th June, I took on my final fundraising challenge for Power2Inspire, a sprint triathlon relay at Stewartby Lake. It marked the end of a personal chapter that’s been filled with adventure, challenge and deep purpose.
This time, I wasn’t alone. I had two brilliant teammates:
- My wife, Lindsay, who stepped in as a last-minute addition to the team, cycled 20km with incredible determination, and earned her very first triathlon medal — something she’s rightly proud of.
- Our CEO, Alex Laybourne, who ran 5km with heart and good humour (despite the heat!).
- I swam the 750m open water leg, and, as ever, felt both the thrill of the water and the privilege of being able to represent our charity.
Why this triathlon mattered
Over the years, I’ve taken on numerous challenges to raise funds and awareness for Power2Inspire, from kayak adventures and tennis marathons to open-water swims. Each one has had the same goal: to show what’s possible, to break down barriers and to champion inclusion through sport.
This triathlon was different. Not because the swim was harder (though it was!), or because I’m getting older (which I am!), but because I knew it would be my last. The final physical fundraising challenge I take on for this charity that means so much to me.
And that made it feel even more special.
A modest goal – and we nailed it!
Now, I’ll be honest: our goal wasn’t to win, it was simply not to come last. And… we didn’t! Mission accomplished.
Why I started
When I founded Power2Inspire in 2013, I had one goal in mind: to ensure that no one is left on the bench. As someone born without fully formed arms and legs, I’ve experienced firsthand what exclusion feels like. I also know how transformative sport can be when it’s truly inclusive.
Since those early days, Power2Inspire has reached over 81,000 people through inclusive sports days, PowerHouseGames, and Games2Inspire in schools. We’ve brought people of all abilities together – laughing, learning, competing and connecting.
I couldn’t be prouder!
Looking back, and looking forward…
This final challenge wasn’t about records or speed. It was about community. About celebrating the people who’ve supported us — friends, colleagues, volunteers, donors and event partners.
What's next?
While I may be stepping back from physical fundraising, I’m not stepping away from Power2Inspire. I’ll still be delivering our wonderful events, championing the cause and sharing our story.
But for now, I’d love your help to finish this challenge strong.
If you haven’t yet donated, please consider supporting our JustGiving campaign. Every pound goes directly towards inclusive sports events for children and communities across the UK.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, not just on this challenge, but over the years. You’ve made a real, lasting difference.
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. We are always looking out for people willing to fundraise for Power2Inspire through their own inspiring means. Or, you could volunteer at one of our events, or you could give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.