When Sophie Barnett got in touch to help arrange a second Gonville & Caius PowerHouseGames following one organised by the now graduated Alex Parton and Luke Cavanaugh, I was absolutely thrilled. It showed there was a real appetite for these games – Sophie had attended one in her first year (pre-pandemic) and was keen to repeat the experience, “because it was such fun!”
Quilters Junior School were very keen to attend following their Paralympic Week back in September, so came with a wonderful set of Year 5s. King’s Ely brought their Year 8s and Melbourn Village College their additional needs students. Nicky Patel had said that her Melbourn students were a little anxious when told they would be in separate teams – teams of five in separate colourful t-shirts – but that in the end the event was so good for them, and the other team members had made them so welcome that they had really enjoyed it.
There was a delightful start as the younger team members, mostly Quilters, advocated for the Melbourn students to join their team, holding out their t-shirt as a trophy!
The games this time were boccia, goalball, walking football, sitting volleyball, sitting netball and new age kurling. Each had its champions, raucous cheers, and squeals, as the teams realised they could be competitive. With Alex keeping us to time and Dan snapping away – love the photos, Dan! – the morning ran like clockwork.
But it relies so heavily on our volunteers, so a big thank you to:
- Robert Houston who came to observe how his trust’s funding was being used and ended up playing in a bright pink top!
- Mark Slater for overseeing new age kurling and sitting volleyball as well as setting and tidying up.
- Jeremy Macklin, our P2I chair, for being so enthusiastic in his supervision of sitting netball.
- Debbie Macklin for becoming a lime green player and helping to gel her team.
- Patrick Gosling, such a stalwart of volunteering, for being such a safe pair of hands with goalball.
- And newcomer Philip Sleightholme for sorting all the refreshments and joining in as a red team player with wonderful enthusiasm.
Students from Melbourn Village College
With the schools bringing different numbers as absences took effect at the last minute, we also had three teachers play. Mike Wade, head at Quilters, joined the grey team, whom I guess he nicknamed “the hammers” after his beloved West Ham; his colleague Mrs Porteous was very enthusiastic; and Jo from King’s Ely let his inner child express its joy!
Thanks to the other teachers, particularly the crew from Melbourn, led by Nicky Patel. Their students have sent some lovely notes, but more importantly want to come again!
All the participants took home their t-shirt and a certificate and the additional needs students a medal too. But most of all everyone took away happy memories complete with laughter and smiles. You can read the Caius blog on the event by clicking the image here and check out what some of the Caius students thought of the event below:
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.
