Abacus Primary School Games2Inspire 2022
Abacus Primary School Games2Inspire 2022
This was a fabulous day in Wickford, Essex. Abacus is a comparatively new school and it has facilities to match: a lovely hall, a large grass play area, an AstroTurf 5-a-side pitch and a large tarmac playground. The latter provided a great area for us to play our inclusive games.
We started with an assembly to Key Stage 2 – years 3, 4, 5 and 6, nearly 240 pupils. I persuaded the lovely head, Heidi Blakeley, to allocate more than the 15 minutes and as there were more than 10 minutes of questions, this proved prescient!
Out on the playground in perfect weather, Patrick and I led each year group, with two form entry, in boccia, goalball, sitting volleyball and target games. Patrick is our ‘super volunteer’ and an expert at delivering Goalball, the Paralympic sport designed for visually impaired athletes.
Abacus have a wonderful semi-covered area with artificial grass covered steps creating the perfect boccia auditorium. Led by class teachers, the pupils caught on to the tactics and were most competitive in this Paralympic sport created for cerebral palsy athletes.
I love the fact that target games, a remarkably simple use of a target and bean bags engages the children so much. Strangely a significant number are more accurate with their ‘wrong’ hand than they are with the ‘right’ one. Virtually all are rubbish with their feet, which only emphasises how amazing disabled athletes can be. There was one lad whose first throw with his foot landed in the centre and I thought it a fluke; but his second landed on top of his first! Throwing backwards creates mirth. My favourite though is when each team (of three) selects one player to throw, and he or she faces the wrong way. The other team members advise the player how to throw, correcting each throw of three. This teaches communication, trust, listening and directional skills.
The children consistently vote sitting volleyball their favourite. The key is to change the ball to suit the children’s abilities.
Already we are discussing a repeat visit, one I am really looking forward to.
A few days after the event, we received this feedback from a mum of one of the children that had participated in the Games2Inspire:
I just wanted to send a huge thank you to John. He attended my 8 year old daughter’s primary school today and she has not stopped talking about it. She keeps saying that he is such a lovely man and she was so inspired that she thought about what he had spoken about in every lesson she did today and tried her absolute best. We’ve also just come home from her best ever swimming lesson. Isabelle lacks confidence in her abilities, both in school and in the water, and she really took on board John’s message. I teach in the same school but wasn’t working today and I’m really gutted to have missed it. However, I’m looking forward to hearing all about it from my pupils tomorrow! My husband is a Year 6 teacher at Ashingdon Primary Academy and has had the pleasure of a visit from John in the past. He has since reframed his approach to John’s ‘practice makes progress’ and this is something we have spoken about lots at home, so it was great for Isabelle to hear it spoken about from the man himself!!
Once again, a huge thank you to John and the team at Power2Inspire.
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. As you can read in our Latest News we have even found a way to make our Games2Inspire a success in lockdown so don’t hesitate to get in touch and we can help you plan your very own Games2Inspire!!
Click the button here to find out more.
Looking forward to the Festival of Inclusive Golf 2022
Power2Inspire to host eighth Festival of Inclusive Golf at Cambridge Lakes Golf Course
We are looking forward to hosting our eighth Festival of Inclusive Golf at Cambridge Lakes Golf Course, on Friday 24th June. The 9 hole, par 3 course, hidden behind the trees off the Trumpington Road in South Cambridge, makes the ideal setting for afternoon of fun, inclusive golf for everyone to be involved in.
The event will consist of 10 teams of four, who will play a round of golf under ‘Texas Scramble’ rules, which allows everyone to contribute to the team’s score. There will be prizes, refreshments and a barbecue – a jam packed day of fun for everyone.
John Willis, Founder and Chief Executive of Power2Inspire, said:
“We are delighted to host our eighth Festival of Inclusive Golf at Cambridge Lakes Golf Course. Every year, the event has proved a huge success with both disabled and able-bodied players enjoying the day. It really is fun for all the family – designed so that everyone can take part.
“Each team is partnered with a disabled player who joins for free, this ensures the event is truly inclusive. Inclusion in sport is at the heart of what we do.
“We are extremely grateful to Cambridge Lakes Golf Course for providing us with such a fantastic location once again. It is an honour to be able to invite the local community to join in with such a fun and friendly afternoon of golf.”
James Watts, Operations Director of Kingsway Cambridge Golf Course said:
“Golf at Kingsway will always be accessible to everyone and it is a great privilege to be part of something that has such strong links to the community. The facilities at Cambridge are perfect to bring golfers of all ages and abilities together and we look forward to supporting Power2Inspire.
“We are thrilled our facilities are once again being used to host such a brilliant event. We wholeheartedly support the work that Power2Inspire do in the local community. The day always has a really great feeling and we can’t wait to see everyone enjoying themselves.”
Teams of three can join for £75, and each team will be partnered with a disabled person who joins for free. Individuals can join for £25 each, and students can join for £10 each.
You can find out more and register now by clicking the button here.
Looking forward to seeing you on the 24th!
If you’re inspired for Inclusive Sport then do join us at any of our next big events:
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Fundraiser cycles 1,000 miles for Power2Inspire
Here, Catherine Hall recounts her incredible cycle of over 1,000 miles through three countries across mainland Britain – her biggest challenge yet!
“I started on the Cornish coast, headed past the stunning wilds of Dartmoor, across the River Severn before riding into Wales. I then cycled further north, skimmed the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria before crossing the border into Scotland. From there I pushed on into Perth, then Edinburgh through the Cairngorms on to Inverness and then to the north coast finishing at John o’ Groats 14 days later.”
“The challenge was absolutely fantastic. Yes, there were moments of pure exhaustion and uncertainty, but also moments of elation. The unforgettable views, sense of achievement and staggering amount raised made the mixture of emotions totally worth it.”
“I set myself this challenge for a number of reasons:
- To do something I’ve never done before
- To see if I enjoy cycle touring and riding long distances
- To visit parts of Britain that I’d never been to
- To enjoy a shared experience with others who are taking part in the ride organised by Saddle Skedaddle
- To give something back by supporting a local charity who encourage participation in sport – and I chose Power2Inspire“
You can still support Catherine’s challenge and raise money for Power2Inspire. Just click the JustGiving link here.
“It has been a brilliant experience and one I’ll treasure not only for the satisfaction of completing the cycling challenge, but also seeing what a beautiful country we live in and being able to raise funds for Power2Inspire. I have cycled 1,004 miles over 14 continuous days, 75 hours in the saddle, with 66,113 ft of climbing. I’m having to pinch myself as it’s hard to believe that under my own steam, with my bike, I achieved this.
Power2Inspire desires a society where everyone can enjoy inclusive sport together, regardless of age, gender, faith, ethnicity or disability. They believe no one should be left on the bench, and deliver inclusive events for everyone to get involved with. I am honoured to have raised an incredible amount for a charity that does so much for the community.”
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.
Catherine's LEJOG for Power2Inspire
On Sunday 8th May, Catherine Hall started her biggest ever challenge, cycling the entire length of mainland Britain – and she’s chosen to support Power2Inspire.
Catherine is making her way through three countries, starting on the Cornish Coast, heading through the stunning wilds of Dartmoor, before riding into Wales, the Yorkshire Dales, Cumbria, and heading into Edinburgh. She will finish her journey on the North Coast of Scotland at John o’ Groats, 14 days and over 1,000 miles later! We are absolutely delighted that Catherine is fundraising for us.
Catherine said:
“The enjoyment of sport has been a key part of my life and my family’s. I have been fortunate enough to have participated in a number of different sports and know the benefit it has on well-being and the opportunity it affords us to socialise and have fun. Sport is life-enriching and a great way to break down barriers. Sadly not everyone has access to sport and I am a strong advocate to see this change.”
If you wish to support Catherine’s challenge and raise money for Power2Inspire, you can find more details and donate through her JustGiving page. Just click the JustGiving link here.
We want to wish Catherine good luck, and say a huge thank you for choosing us. Fundraising like this is vital in ensuring we can continue our hard work. We can’t wait to hear how the rest of the tour goes!
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.
University of Redlands 2022
California meets Cambridge in our PowerHouseGames
Professor James Spee of Redlands University, California, contacted Power2Inspire wanting his students to see how a small social enterprise operates in practice. So, on Wednesday 5th May, we were delighted to welcome staff and students all the way from the University of Redlands in California, to Cambridge University Sports Club for a talk and an introduction to our PowerHouseGames.
PowerHouseGames are fun and friendly events that use adapted sports games that are designed to be accessible and exciting for everyone, regardless of age, disability and sporting ability.
Courtesy of Cambridge University Sports Centre, who made their wonderful Studio 1 available, we were able to demonstrate four of our inclusive sports by doing. James was joined by 10 students who enthusiastically threw themselves into playing new age kurling, goalball, boccia and sitting netball. A fantastic afternoon was had by everyone involved.
There was laughter, questions, interaction and engagement, a great afternoon of fun and helping relations with our friends from across the big pond. There was even talk they might look at persuading their colleagues back home to have a go with some of the games.
James Spee, Professor, at University of Redlands, said:
“We had the pleasure of meeting Power2Inspire founder John Willis, volunteer Dan Blackburn, and board member Catherine Hall. After learning about Mr. Willis and how he came to found Power2Inspire, the group enjoyed playing the adapted games. They had great fun and at the same time gained appreciation for how the games would work with people of varying abilities. The two hour session flew by. Inspired by the program, one student chose to write her term paper on the potential for implementing Power2Inspire back in California.”
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador, Power2Inspire, said:
“Our PowerHouseGames give University students the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone, to grow leadership and teamwork skills, and to learn about the benefits of inclusivity. It was an honour to be able to host our PowerHouseGames with such passionate students all the way from California.”
“We’re delighted that one of the students has chosen to write about Power2Inspire, it is great to hear the impact the games have had.”
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? If so, then we would love to hear from you. We are also always looking out for people willing to be involved through their own inspiring means.
Click the button here to find out more.