Back with the Blues
It was a joy to return to the Bedford Blues Rugby ground for our second PowerHouseGames with the Blues Foundation. Tom Harwood laid on dry weather and a warm breeze, perfect conditions for our six games: walking touch rugby – brilliantly led by Ed from the Blues, walking football, kwik cricket, boccia, sitting volleyball and goalball.
Teams Together
It was wonderful to have 6 volunteers from Bellway back again, enthusiastic and helpful as ever. The twelve teams were also made up of Foundation staff, 16 from Bedford Academy, and groups from Grange Academy, Bedford Modern and Ivel Valley. Richard Lightfoot, one of our extraordinary trustees, joined in and brought the SENCO (special educational needs coordinator) from his school’s trust to see the fun. Two other trustees, Stephen Peak and Gemma Thake, came to help. And Chris Fell, volunteer photographer, took the fabulous photos, you can see here.
Handing on the baton!
Such was the excellent support from Tom and his team, and Stephen, I soon felt superbly redundant. After explaining or reminding how to play the games to the corporate volunteers and the Foundation staff, and welcoming all the schools, it was lovely to see how quickly the teams got on with having fun.
As one volunteer reported afterwards,
“The kids in my team were quiet to begin with, but as the rounds progressed, they developed friendships within the team and were urging each other on in the final half.”
By the end it is difficult to remember that these teams were put together just a couple of hours before. And the engagement of the SEN students is remarkable: I love the fact that it appears so normal.
New Opportunities
Jonathan Bungard, Deputy Head (Pastoral) of Bedford Modern Junior School explained the value to his independent school students:
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with people they have not had the opportunity to work with before: mixed groups, mixed ages, mixed genders, and mixed range of abilities. Every single child I have seen is beaming away. They are learning new sports, new challenges. I have seen some of our less traditionally sporty children really excelling in what they are doing.”
Special award
In our usual closing ceremony with medals and certificates presented by the Foundation’s Ed, Elan, Steve and Tom – they are very well received and not just by the children – we had a special presentation. Gemma Thake, our trustee, who had brought new-born Theo, the youngest ever attendee at our games, presented young Jack from Ivel Valley, a special school that has attended numerous PHGs now, with a Bedford Blues pennant to recognise the 5,000th attendee at a PowerHouseGames. We are so proud of this milestone. It shows the demand, the need for these inclusive games and the wonderful support of our corporate partners, such as Bellway and Richard Lightfoot’s company, PhysicalEd+ to make it happen!
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 reproduced with kind permission from Chris Fell Photos.
