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Back indoors for the 7th Annual CU Rugby PowerHouseGames!

After last year’s brilliant outdoor games, we returned to the fantastic Cambridge University Sports Centre on Friday, September 27th, 2024, buzzing with energy as we hosted the annual Cambridge University Rugby Club (CURUFC) PowerHouseGames!

We were thrilled to welcome students from Castle School, Landmark International School, and Ely College to this year’s event, alongside the men’s and women’s rugby squads. All were united by one goal: to celebrate the power of inclusion through sport. A special thanks must go to PEM, our longstanding corporate sponsor for this event. The team has loved being part of our initiatives in previous years, and their enthusiasm for the games continues to shine brightly, promising an enduring partnership.

Everyone came together to play inclusive and adapted games including boccia, new age kurling, and touch rugby. The day was once again a vibrant celebration of teamwork and community spirit, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated.
The students encouraged each other to challenge their beliefs about ability and disability, learning to respect each other’s differences and understand how they can help one another succeed.

Feedback from CURUFC volunteers was overwhelmingly positive. One player, Harry, recalled participating in PowerHouseGames while at school and expressed how special it was to be part of the event as a volunteer a few years later:

“It was so much fun to get involved with the PowerHouseGames on Friday. Seeing people of all ages coming together and enjoying sport was lovely. I was especially glad to be able to participate since I took part in the PowerHouseGames when I was at school.”

For Women’s Blues Captain, Bethan, the event offered a powerful message about inclusion:

“All of our players had a brilliant time at the PowerHouseGames session. It was such a rewarding and enjoyable day. As rugby players who get a lot of joy out of our time with our teammates, we loved the message that sports should be inclusive and available to absolutely everyone, no matter their ability level.”

Fergus, the Men’s Blues Captain, expressed huge appreciation for participating in such an inspiring event:

“It was an absolute privilege to attend the PowerHouseGames alongside my teammates. For me, it was a true reminder of the power and importance of sport, especially for those who may have previously been excluded. John and the team created such an enthusiastic and inclusive atmosphere, and it’s a day I will forever look back on fondly.”

Each PowerHouseGames event reminds us of the power of adapted sports—how they bring together people of all abilities and capture values of inclusivity, joy and camaraderie.

We are hugely grateful to PEM, all the schools and volunteers who made this day so brilliant. We’re already looking forward to next year’s PowerHouseGames and hope to make it even bigger and better!

Corporate partners are vital to us as they allow us to create these fun events. If your company would like to get involved, help the community, and provide worthwhile volunteering for your employees, please get in touch.

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.

Bethany Haran

P2I Intern

All photos used with permission.