Everyone involved
What a joy it was to be back in Oxford for our second PowerHouseGames in the city and to celebrate with the SDG Impact Lab. It was Oliver Cook’s last event with the Lab, as he moves on to fresh employment. Ollie has left a great legacy – the sports leadership programme has been a huge success.
Leading the leaders
Working with two sets of three state schools with students facing typical inner city challenges, Oxford University students help them with skills, leadership and compassion, or as Ollie puts it ‘hand, head, heart’.
The PowerHouseGames created the opportunity to bring all six schools together and by including John Watson, a special school, there was a real chance to practise all three aspects: skill in the games, leadership to include all in their team, and compassion to engage the SEND students. With the excellent support of the Oxford students, all the programme students rose to the challenge.
Always adapting to include everyone!
Having 8 in each team meant a tweak to the way we play the games. For new age kurling and boccia we split the stations in two, so there were two matches of each being played, to occupy more participants. Sitting volleyball was moved to the nearby ‘dojo’ room, ideal with its soft floor – diving around was even more fun! Touch rugby, sitting netball and goalball completed the set.
Thank you!
A big thank you to the schools: Greyfriars Catholic School, Oxford Spires School, Oxford Academy, Swan School, Cherwell School and Cheney School. And to the students, fabulously organised by Dan and Naomi, you are wonderful ambassadors for the programme and Oxford University.
Building for the future
The support of Alex Betts, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement, Sport, and Community) at the University is pivotal to the success of the PowerHouseGames and I hope the beginning of a long partnership.
We really want to develop our engagement within Oxford, the university, city and environs, and create a hub that will endure and bring inclusive sport to many generations of students.
And finally...
Both Andrew Bailey and Edith Cameron took stunning photos, bringing out the fun and joy of the morning as you have seen in this post. Thank you!
And a huge congrats and good luck to Ollie – we look forward to working with you in your new capacity!
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.
