The first ever PowerHouseGames (PHG) on a Sunday; the first ever with the Dwarf Sports Association; and the first at St Faith’s School in their wonderful sports hall. It was also our fourth with the Hawks Ospreys, our third of 2026 – on the road to a very ambitious 40 in the calendar year – and our 95th of all time.
But enough of the numbers. What did the participants make of it? Two mothers (of children in the DSA) said:
“We had such a lovely time, thank you Power2Inspire for organising. Looking forward to the next one”,
and,
“Thank you so much for today, we all had a great time, and the boys are already asking if there is another one. They absolutely loved the university students too. It was such a great day and lovely for them to do so many different sports. So wonderful they could enjoy sports with their parents!”
It was a joy from start to finish, and a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
In addition to the 9 families from the Dwarf Sports Association, there were 26 Hawks and Ospreys, a couple of Castle School families and a few St Faith’s pupils to fly the home flag. Ten mixed teams of five or six players took on a carousel of inclusive sports. Each team, proudly sporting its own brightly coloured T‑shirts, moved between boccia, goalball, new age kurling, sitting volleyball, walking football and, to finish, a giant game of sitting netball.
As ever, Rule Number 1 was to have fun – and my goodness, did they take that to heart!
Hawks and Ospreys students arrived early for their briefing, learning how to lead the games so they could explain them confidently to DSA members and other participants.
The games themselves produced countless moments to treasure. Boccia brought out tactical genius and quiet concentration, and it was lovely to see the school provide different height and size chairs for participants to choose.
Watching university students kneel down to eye level, gently demonstrate a kurling pusher, or guide a teammate into position for goalball was humbling; anyone who ever doubts the younger generation should come to a PowerHouseGames.
It was marked today: the height of the Hawks and Ospreys in comparison with the DSA members and families seemed to emphasise the compassion on display.
The giant sitting netball at the end was, for me, the highlight. With the whole hall involved, foam balls flying from hand to hand, everyone had a role – passer, catcher, blocker, shooter – and everyone could contribute, whatever their height, speed or experience. The roar that greeted a carefully looped pass into a shooter’s hands, followed by a successful shot, said everything about inclusion: that sense of being part of a team, of being valued, of scoring not just a point but a memory.
Hawks and Ospreys students arrived early for their briefing, learning how to lead the games so they could explain them confidently to DSA members and other participants.
The games themselves produced countless moments to treasure. Boccia brought out tactical genius and quiet concentration, and it was lovely to see the school provide different height and size chairs for participants to choose.
We could not have run the afternoon without the steadfast support of St Faith’s staff – thank you Liz and Hannah – who opened the site on a Sunday, managed access through Gate 1 and ensured the hall, equipment and facilities were all ready for us. Also a big thanks to Crispin Hyde-Dunn, head at St Faith’s, who joined us to officially open the Games and show his and the school’s support. These partnerships make it possible to create the magic.
Nor could we have done it without the Hawks Ospreys students, who once again gave up their time – especially on a Sunday morning – to cheer, coach and console in equal measure. Behind the scenes, our volunteers – a big shout out to Mark and Maria – sorted snacks, T‑shirts, medals and certificates, so that every participant left not only with mementos, but with the glow that comes from having been part of something special.
Judging by the smiles, the reluctant departures and the calls of “When is the next one?”, we are well on the way to making inclusive sport a regular feature in even more calendars. Everyone who was there on Sunday will, I hope, be able to say in years to come:
“I was there, at the very first Sunday PowerHouseGames – and I have the T‑shirt to prove it!”
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.
