Thanks to the financial support of Magdalen College School, we were able to run two back-to-back Games2Inspire at primary schools in Oxford in June. One was at St Mary and St John School, the other at St John Fisher Catholic Primary. Everyone had fun at both, and the events made a real impact.
At St Mary and St John, we started with an assembly for Years 3 to 6. The pupils were open and engaged, and the hall felt full of potential. We moved on to workshops with each year group, bringing to the school inclusive and adapted sports.
One moment stood out: a young girl in a wheelchair, who I’ll call K, wasn’t able to leave her chair. At first, it seemed like she might miss out, but our games are designed for this challenge. We introduced K and her wonderful PE teacher, Tom Guy, to boccia, the most inclusive game in the world of sports. The sense of achievement when propelling her ball down a ramp towards the jack, brought the most delightful smile. Tom, who had not known how to use the boccia equipment, lurking in the sports cupboard, promised to run a boccia tournament for the whole school to ensure K is included. What a fabulous outcome!
Then, during sitting netball, we placed K in what is usually an exclusion zone around the hoop and removed the hoop. Her team had to place the ball on her lap, and she had to push it off her lap into a bucket, to score a net. When she did it, her smile lit up the hall – she had scored her very first team goal/net/score in her life and had been included in a team game!
The second Games2Inspire at St John Fisher was quieter – with only one form entry in each year group. With only 30 pupils in each session and shorter time slots, they played three, not four games: goalball, new age kurling and sitting volleyball. The Year 6s so enjoyed it in the morning they volunteered to return in the afternoon to help lead the sessions. They were patient and calm, and that ensured their younger schoolmates stayed focused, despite the heat.
Jemima Coleman from Magdalen College School joined us on the first day and brought four boys from the school to support. They got involved straight away. No fuss, just action: they set up stations, gave instructions and guided them in the playing of the games. They were great ambassadors for Magdalen College School and showcased the benefits of the independent school supporting delivery in a state school.
What are Games2Inspire?
Games2Inspire events are incredible events, most often hosted in schools, with an assembly and sports day which includes activities designed to be accessible and fun for everyone, with disabilities and none, sporty and not. Participants get to meet our inspirational founder, John Willis, and hear all about how John has overcome obstacles in his life. They then get to put that learning to practice by playing adapted games and sports together learning new skills and being encouraged to test their beliefs about ability and disability and what it is to be different, learning to respect other people’s differences. Power2Inspire works with them to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.
Inspired? Then Get Involved!
If you are interested in hosting a Games2Inspire in your school / college / company / community group 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.
