"A cocoon of joy!" The 7th Annual Festival of Inclusive Tennis
Despite Storm Darragh roaring outside, the 7th Annual Festival of Inclusive Tennis created a warm and joyful atmosphere, bringing together 35-40 participants for a day filled with tennis, laughter, and connection. Hosted in Cambridge University’s Sports Centre, this year’s event embodied the spirit of inclusion, with attendees of all abilities enjoying the game in a wonderfully relaxed setting.
The event was supported by Rob Ellis, coach at the Cambridge Tennis Academy, who was thrilled by the turnout and the energy of the day. Rob shared:
“It was great to be part of another awesome event on Saturday. We’ve arranged for some participants to come over for a free session, with the hope of welcoming them into future events. The passion and enthusiasm were truly infectious.”
One particularly heartwarming story was a single mum who attended with her two young boys, eager to introduce them to tennis. She described the day as a perfect introduction to the sport, showing how inclusive events like this can spark a lifelong passion for activity and community.
Mark Thornton from of Cambridge Adult Disability Multi Sport (CADMuS) commented on another great event and the positive atmosphere felt by all.
Founder and Chief Ambassador, John, said:
“the festival created a ‘cocoon of joy and happiness’, unaffected by the storm raging outside. It was a space where smiles, camaraderie, and the love for tennis shone brightly, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating next year’s event.”
Power2Inspire would like to extend their thanks to all of the volunteers for their incredible support in making the day such a success.
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 Festival of Inclusive Sport? Or could you give to the ongoing work of Power2Inspire. Click the button here to find out more.
If you’re inspired for Inclusive Sport then do join us at any of our next big events:
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Care City PowerHouseGames 2024
In celebration of International Day of Disabilities, we had the privilege of hosting one of London’s first PowerHouseGames in collaboration with Power2Inspire. A morning filled with fun, laughter and a powerful sense of connection.
The PowerHouseGames are more than just a sporting event. They’re a celebration of inclusion, offering everyone—regardless of age, ability, or background—a chance to compete, bond and support one another. Inspired by founder John Willis’s vision of Inclusion through Sport, these games aim to break down barriers and ensure no one feels excluded from the joy of participation.
John, a Pride of Britain winner who was born without fully formed arms and legs, created the games after his experience competing in a mixed-ability triathlon relay. His mission is clear: no one should miss out on the transformative power of sport. And last week, we witnessed his vision firsthand in Barking and Dagenham.
A Day of Fun, Teamwork and Laughter
Participants, including pupils from Trinity School, Barking Abbey School, James Campbell Primary School, Eastway Care, the Barking and Dagenham Progress Project and of course Care City, came together and formed teams to compete in adapted sports like boccia, sitting netball, new age kurling and walking football.
From primary school students to SEND pupils, around 60 individuals took part, breaking barriers and building bonds through shared activities. One particularly heartwarming moment came when a young participant welled up, overcome with pride at winning her first-ever medal.
John Willis, Power2Inspire Founder and Chief Ambassador, said:
“It was a truly delightful event and fantastic to see so many mixed-ability groups coming together and enjoying themselves. A standout moment was seeing Vedika Lall from Care City return to facilitate this event with her new employers, after attending a previous PowerHouseGames at Goodenough College. It’s a wonderful example of how inclusive sport inspires more inclusion, creating a ripple effect of positivity and participation.”
Building Confidence Through Sport
The games fostered fierce but friendly competition. Our COO, James Sinclair, proved he’s not above playful rivalry, exchanging sass with a 12-year-old competitor and turning sitting netball into an unexpectedly intense contact sport – I’m still nursing the bruises, but it was worth it!
As the event ended, participants were presented with well-earned medals and certificates, marking their achievements. The PowerHouseGames beautifully demonstrate the unifying power of sport, bringing fun, connection and inclusivity that bridge differences and bring communities closer together.
We’re already looking forward to hosting more PowerHouseGames and continuing to champion inclusion in everything we do.
#InclusionThroughSport #PowerHouseGames #InternationalDayOfDisabilities #CommunityConnections
Tips for hosting your own PowerHouseGames
(based on what we learned!)
- Allow plenty of planning time
Give yourself slightly longer than 4 weeks to organise! While a four-week turnaround is ambitious, giving yourself a bit more time ensures smoother coordination. This extra time allows for securing the right venue (thank you to Becontree Heath Leisure Centre for hosting us), promoting the event, and finalising logistics. - Collaborate with Local Partners
Reach out to your local authority or community organisations to help spread the word. We’re so grateful to the School Sports Partnership Team at LBBD who promoted it to PE Leads and Heads of Department and really boosted participation numbers for us. - Recruit a Strong Volunteer Team
Build a willing band of volunteers to help – managing 60 young people, moving between sports activities every twenty minutes is quite an achievement! We’re very grateful to Santosh, who was a connection we made during our work developing Winter Support Community events, who came along and kept us on track!
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 our guest editor, Rachel Fuller of Care City!
John Willis Speaks at launch of new Inclusion Network from TP ICAP
Power2Inspire’s John Willis recently had the honour of speaking at TP ICAP’s launch event for their new Disability, Cancer and Neurodivergence Network. The network, which aims to provide vital support and representation within the workplace, was celebrated in an inspiring session highlighting the value of diversity and inclusion.
John shared his personal journey and experience, emphasising how individuals with disabilities bring unique perspectives that can help solve challenges in the workplace. His talk resonated deeply with the audience, including TP ICAP CEO Nicolas Breteau, who was particularly moved by John’s message. John’s participation was made possible through the support of Paul Chatfield, employee of TP ICAP and mason, who recently raised over £5,000 for Power2Inspire by organising a 108km walk with his freemason’s London Lodge.
The event was further enriched by contributions from Claire Harvey, a sitting volleyball Paralympian and wheelchair user, who was instrumental in establishing this groundbreaking network.
Additionally, Sana Ali, chair of EMEA Disability, Cancer, and Neurodivergence Network, shared insights into the importance of such initiatives for creating inclusive workplaces.
The event underscored a powerful message: diversity is not just a value – it’s a solution. By embracing different perspectives, including those from disabled and neurodivergent individuals, companies can foster innovation and overcome workplace challenges.
A huge thank you to the TP ICAP team for organising such an impactful event. Power2Inspire is proud to be part of this journey toward greater inclusion.
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.
12 Stories, 12 Years - The Birth of Power2Inspire
Power2Inspire’s journey began in 2012 at the London Olympics, ignited by a unique friendship and a shared dream. It all started when John Willis invited Tim Martin to watch a hockey match at the Games. Given that Tim had been trying to persuade John to participate in an able-bodied triathlon relay for five years, it was probably not surprising that the thrill of the Olympics, proved to be the tipping point and John agreed.
John Willis, born without arms and legs, has never let his physical challenges define him. His courage and resilience have inspired countless people—none more so than his friend Tim Martin. Tim pestered John, a man whose courage and determination had motivated him, through numerous triathlons and a couple of Ironmen.
The challenge was clear: John would swim the triathlon’s swimming leg – a daunting task for anyone; Tim, not disabled, would cycle the 40kms and he would recruit a third member of the team, also not disabled, to finish with the 10 km run.
“How far do I have to swim and in what time?”
John asked hesitantly.
“A mile, under an hour,”
came the reply.
Initially sceptical, John took the plunge, clocking 76 minutes in his first mile attempt. Determined to improve, he trained hard and brought his time down to 66 minutes. Encouraged by this progress, John pushed himself further.
The good news? The race distance was slightly less than a mile—1,500 meters. The bad news? It would take place in open water at Eton Dorney’s rowing lake.
Setting his sights on not coming last, John smashed expectations, completing the swim in 52 minutes and 23 seconds. With teammate Henry Brown sprinting through the 10,000-metre run in just 36 minutes after Tim completed the cycling leg, the team placed 18th out of 27. More importantly, they had an unforgettable time, proving that disabled and non-disabled athletes could compete together and have immense fun.
The birth of a vision
Reflecting on their triumph, Tim and John wondered how they could channel this incredible experience into something lasting. They decided to raise funds and secured £20,000, half from property developers, Hill Residential. However, when searching for a charity promoting inclusive sports, they couldn’t find one that fit their vision.
John’s wife had the simple yet life-changing suggestion:
“Why don’t you set up a charity yourself?”
And so Power2Inspire was born in 2013
A trawl through the archives reveals John doing an early talk at King’s College School in Cambridge, with the charity’s first branding!
It became clear that disabled and non-disabled could participate in sport together with great success and lots of fun – but more needed to be done to encourage this.
Rooted in John’s passion and vision, the charity aims to ensure everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate in sports together. It’s a movement that celebrates inclusion, builds community, and inspires others to overcome challenges just like John and Tim did.
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.
12 Stories, 12 Years - The First PowerHouseGames
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12 Stories, 12 Years
The First PowerHouseGames
In September 2018, something truly groundbreaking happened at the Cambridge University Sports Centre. It was the birth of PowerHouseGames, an event that would go on to shape Power2Inspire’s mission of inclusion through sport.
It all started when Jeremy Macklin, a Cambridge University rugby alumnus and fellow law student, reconnected with John Willis. After learning about Power2Inspire, Jeremy immediately saw an opportunity:
He recognised that student-athletes could benefit from an event that would broaden their perspective, reminding them how lucky they were, and that inclusion and teamwork can change lives. Little did we know that Jeremy would go on to Chair the charity.
Bringing people together
John and Jeremy set out to create a truly inclusive experience, reaching out to:
This diverse group of participants created an atmosphere where ability didn’t matter—teamwork did.
The power of inclusive sport
The first-ever PowerHouseGames featured a mix of adapted sports, including:
The event exceeded expectations. What started as an experiment quickly became a powerful movement. Seeing athletes and students play together, breaking barriers, was nothing short of inspiring.
One of the most defining moments was when a blind and deaf student joined the games. Kevin Martin simply said:
Of course, it was more than okay—it was a moment that defined inclusion.
A foam rugby ball was adapted, and each game was adjusted to ensure she could fully participate. Then, something incredible happened:
A towering second-row rugby player leapt into the air, shrieking with joy. Why?
His team had just helped the deaf and blind girl score a try.
To him, it felt like scoring at Twickenham.
It was in that single moment of celebration that PowerHouseGames’ impact was truly understood – this was about more than just sport.
The event’s success was also thanks to Catherine Stewart, who, alongside her daughters, created a fund in memory of her late husband, supporting the initiative. Catherine’s passion for inclusion led her to persuade Stephen Peak to bring PEM Brokers on board, strengthening the event’s impact and ensuring its long-term success.
The first PowerHouseGames also led to some important traditions:
Lessons that last
But beyond logistics, the biggest lesson was simple: inclusion isn’t about making exceptions—it’s about making adjustments so that everyone can take part.
It truly was the start of something special. From that first day in September 2018, the PowerHouseGames concept has grown and flourished, now bringing inclusive sport to schools, universities, and businesses across the UK. This was where it all began—the moment Power2Inspire proved that sport truly is for everyone.
#InclusionThroughSport #PowerHouseGames #12StoriesFor12Years
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.
Power2Inspire Team