Power2Inspire was delighted to deliver a second collaborative PowerHouseGames with North Cambridge Academy and Cambridge University, bringing young people from across Cambridgeshire together for another morning of inclusive sport.
Held at the University’s Wilberforce Road Sports Ground, home to Cambridge University’s athletics and hockey facilities, the event offered a different setting to previous PowerHouseGames.
The outdoor venue created a relaxed atmosphere where students, volunteers and university staff could play, connect and enjoy the morning in the sunshine.
Building on the success of the first event, 10 mixed teams were made up of students from North Cambridge Academy, Meldreth Manor School, Fairway School and Stephen Perse. They were joined by volunteers from Cambridge University, including students from King’s and Wolfson College, who helped ensure every participant felt welcome and included.
With temperatures rising at the start of the summer heatwave, everyone adapted to keep participants comfortable. Four gazebos, kindly provided by Meldreth Manor School, offered welcome shade throughout the morning, allowing everyone to enjoy the event before the hottest part of the day.
Participants took part in a range of inclusive sports, including boccia, goalball, touch rugby, walking football and kwik cricket, before everyone came together for a game of sitting volleyball to round off the morning.
The outdoor setting also created some unique moments. The university’s athletics dugouts were transformed into the courtside seating for boccia, adding a memorable twist to one of the day’s most popular activities.
For many students, the impact of the day extended far beyond the sport itself.
Narges Gonzalez, Head of School at Meldreth Manor School, said:
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for what was an exceptional PowerHouseGames experience.
The event was not only a wonderful opportunity for our students to have fun and engage in sport, but, more importantly, it provided a platform for them to be recognised and celebrated for their individual strengths and abilities. That sense of inclusion and value was incredibly powerful.
The layout of the event felt safe, purposeful, and very well organised, which enabled our students to participate with confidence and ease. The impact this will have on their self-esteem and confidence extends far beyond the sporting activities themselves.
Thank you again for creating such a meaningful and inclusive experience. We are very grateful to have been part of it.”
Her words reflect what the PowerHouseGames are all about. While the sport creates plenty of smiles and friendly competition, the lasting impact comes from giving every young person the opportunity to feel included, valued and capable.
The event was made possible through the continued partnership between North Cambridge Academy and Cambridge University, supported by staff, students and volunteers from across the university community.
A special thank you goes to Sarah Schechter, Judith Bunbury, Simona Obeng and the students who helped make the morning such a success.
We would also like to thank Cambridge University, North Cambridge Academy, Meldreth Manor School, Fairway School and Stephen Perse for their continued support.
As this partnership continues to grow, so too does the opportunity to show that when young people of different abilities play together, everyone benefits.
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.
