Our Founder and Chief Ambassador, John Willis, shares how he celebrates diversity within the charity’s work.
At Power2Inspire, we celebrate diversity by hosting inclusive and adaptive sports games that work for everybody. I was born without fully formed arms and legs, and when I was young, I was left on the bench. I would’ve loved to have been involved with accessible sports and being unable to was incredibly frustrating. That’s why I’ve made it our mission that no-one else has to experience this.
Our ultimate goal, first and foremost, is not to compete with extreme elite level sports games, but to have fun. Often, I believe the elite sports we see on television distorts our view of what sport is really about – and for us it isn’t money or competition, it’s fun and the feeling of being included.
I believe the most important factor to celebrating diversity is ensuring everyone can be involved. We do this by adapting rules so that the sports are truly inclusive. We once worked with a young girl in a year three class who used a wheelchair and had profound disabilities. She desperately wanted to be involved with sitting netball like the rest of her class, but was apprehensive as to how she could. In order to ensure everyone was included, we placed an exclusion zone around her meaning that only she could catch the ball, making it safer and allowing her to join in with the fun. She went on to enjoy the game, and score the winning goal – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! My view is, if it’s not working for someone – simply change the rules so that it does.
We adapt all of our events so that no-one is left out. We recently held our Festival of Inclusive Golf which plays under Texas scramble rules. These rules lend themselves to inclusion and collaboration, meaning that everyone is included and contributes to the team’s score, no matter their ability. Similarly, our Festival of Inclusive Tennis uses smaller rackets and sponge balls if needed, to ensure everyone gets the chance to play.
We even adapt our Super Sensory 1km route, not only to make it accessible for all, but to make it fun and interesting. By introducing sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing stations we ensure there is something for everyone, and it always promises a fun, family day out.
As a charity we are constantly trying to find ways to make sports more accessible but still enjoyable and fun. It’s extremely important that everyone is afforded to opportunity to enjoy sport together – no one should be left on the bench like I was.
If you would like to help us to continue delivering sports events for the community, designed to be accessible for everyone, we’d love you to be involved by volunteering, sponsoring your own event or donating to help us raise vital funds.
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’re always looking for opportunities to collaborate with new venues and corporate sponsors. Get in touch to find out more.
Likewise, if you would be willing to help us raise funds through a sponsored event, do get in touch. We’ve loads of ideas if you need inspiration!
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John Willis
Founder & Chief Ambassador, Power2Inspire