Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge inaugural PowerHouseGames October 2022
We were thrilled to team up with volunteers from Fitzwilliam College, to host another successful PowerHouseGames at Cambridge University’s Sports Centre.
Young people from Highfield Ely Academy, Impington Village College and King’s College School joined us to immerse themselves in an array of inclusive, accessible, and fun sports games. The sports included boccia, kwik cricket, new age kurling, goalball, sitting netball and a new edition, zonal badminton. However, zonal badminton did not work as well as planned, and as a result, in true Power2Inspire fashion, we adapted the games to offer sitting volleyball alongside the badminton, to ensure everyone felt included.
Emma Clifton, Teacher at Impington Village College, said:
“I brought along some year 10 sports leaders to help out with the inclusive PowerHouseGames. It was fantastic to see how the leaders have grown in confidence and enthusiasm, and we’ve all had a great morning.”
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador, said:
“We had another truly fantastic morning. These PowerHouseGames were a great example of what inclusion is all about.
“I’d like to thank all of our excellent volunteers who helped to make the morning such a success. I received lots of great feedback and comments on the enthusiasm of our volunteers and how everyone shared the same ethos.”
Maya Hodgson, President of Sports & Societies, Fitzwilliam College, said:
“We were put in contact with Power2Inspire last summer after speaking with the team at Cambridge University Sports Centre. We were very lucky to have John Willis attend our college sports day last summer, where John introduced us to new inclusive sports games. Fast forward a few months and we were able to organise our very own PowerHouseGames.
“Inclusion within sport is something we are very passionate about achieving at college level, so Power2Inspire’s mission has always resonated with us.
“It was really rewarding to watch all of the children work together to learn how to play new and inclusive sports. It was amazing to see some of the children markedly grow in confidence over the morning and we would encourage other organisations to work with the charity to organise their own PowerHouseGames.
“It’s a great way to give back to the local community, and you’ll have so much fun in doing so!”
Bethany and Maya from Fitzwilliam
with John Willis
Bethany Haran, President of Sports & Societies, Fitzwilliam College, said:
“At the start of the morning I met a pupil from Highfield Ely Academy, he joined our team and expressed he didn’t like sports because he didn’t believe he was very good at any of them. He said he preferred watching everyone else play and would rather be at school. I could feel his worry about letting the team down, but it was amazing to witness the changes in his confidence during the games and the friendships that were made.
This pupil grew from strength to strength, he loved new age kurling and boccia, and he was brilliant at them. He took on a leadership role within the team and wanted to guide us to victory. It was amazing to see our entire team encouraging one another in moments of difficulty as well as celebrate each other’s successes.
I felt a huge sense of gratitude to see the impact Power2Inspire’s mission has on all school children and have gained so much confidence in my own communication and leadership skills too.”
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.
With special thanks to Dr Nicola Jones, Director of Communications & Engagement at Fitzwilliam College for her fantastic photography on the day. All photos used with permission