After our first ever county cricket PowerHouseGames in 2023, Power2Inspire was back at the iconic Indoor Cricket School at Lord’s! The Middlesex County Cricket Club held its second annual PowerHouseGames on 22nd March and it was a real celebration of sportsmanship, inclusivity, and the sheer joy that comes from watching different communities come together to play and enjoy sports.
At the majestic Home of Cricket, we hosted teams of five, made up of students from a mainstream state school and an SEN school mingled with professional players from Middlesex Cricket (both men’s and women’s teams) and the County’s hard-working staff These formed 10 splendidly mixed and uniquely outfitted teams as they donned their T-shirts in a rainbow of distinctive colours.
Kari Carswell and Stefan McKenzie from Middlesex Cricket orchestrated an event reflecting the spirit of diversity through sport. CEO Andrew Cornish welcomed everyone and urged all to live up to Power2Inspire’s Number One Rule – to have fun! The energy and excitement in the room confirmed this confidence.
Inclusive games including, of course, kwik cricket, were played with gusto and no little competition.
Sami Dar, one of our wonderful volunteers and a wheelchair user and co-founder at 10,000 Able Interns, expressed his sadness that such events weren’t available for him in his youth but delight that they were now happening. Bukola Alabi, an intern from Roehampton University, volunteering for the day described the event as “full of fun!” Giorgio, another intern from Roehampton threw himself into games he had never played before with enormous enthusiasm, only matched by Sarah Johnson from BOOST. That charity’s support, both financial and emotional has been enormous over the last three years and we acknowledge it publicly here with great gratitude.
Richard Hill, former Power2Inspire trustee before Disability Cricket nabbed all of his time, came along to volunteer and was at the heart of all the laughter. I did manage to get him to call me a rude name (in jest) as I late cut (well it might have been an edge) past his wheelchair, allowing me to waddle for a run. Smiles and giggles all round.
Other volunteers who made an amazing contribution were Jeremy Macklin, our very own Chair, and his wonderful wife Deborah, both of whom exemplified the spirit of the day, literally throwing themselves around in sitting volleyball; Darren Luntz of Hero App and his friend Alex; and Lois Gosling, who was hooked in Cambridge and cannot now escape.
Please check out the superb photos from Paul Sanwell and Michael Crawford-Hick. It was Michael’s first shoot with us, and I have to admire his bravery – wherever he hid from whichever ball, it made no difference, it still found him!
My abiding memory will be of Angus Fraser, England cricket legend, supervising a giant game of sitting netball which brought the games to a close. Wearing his yellow t-shirt as a necklace, he lobbed first a second soft ball into the chaos, then a third and finally a fourth. Organised pandemonium complete with laughter, smiles and joy.
I was thrilled when Andrew brought the closing ceremony to a close, inviting us back next year and challenging the indefatigable Kari to take a PowerHouseGames to Scotland where she will be taking up a new role. We are up for 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.
Special thanks again to Paul Sanwell of OP Photography and Michael Crawford-Hick for their fantastic photography on the day. All photos used with permission
