PowerHouseGames makes wonderful debut in Worcester
Cambridge-based inclusion charity Power2Inspire were thrilled to bring their mighty PowerHouseGames outside of the county, to Worcester, for the very first time, with local partners, schoolchildren and volunteers.
The inaugural event, which took place at University of Worcester Arena on Wednesday 2nd November 2022, saw local school pupils and volunteers from the University of Worcester and Worcester Bosch take part in half a day of inspiring, inclusive activities which included touch rugby, seated netball, walking football, the Paralympic sport, boccia, kwik cricket and wheelchair basketball.
Partners for the event included Worcester Warriors Foundation and the University of Worcester School of Sport.
John Willis, Power2Inspire’s Cambridge-based Founder and Chief Ambassador, said:
“As ambassadors for Cambridgeshire it’s been fantastic to take our PowerHouseGames event further afield and make our debut in Worcester. We loved bringing the games to local children and university volunteers who were all absolutely brilliant, and so enthusiastic about learning new things. It’s been heart-warming to be part of a day which we hope will leave participants feeling inspired and excited about the possibilities that inclusive sports have to offer”.
Chair of Power2Inspire, Jeremy Macklin, commented:
“This was a great day, and significant geographical extension of this great charity as we moved into the West Midlands. Big thanks to Rebecca Foster and team from University of Worcester and Chris Stephenson and team from Worcester Warriors Foundation. We look forward to more events in Worcestershire and beyond.”
Taking part in the day’s activities were Worcester-based pupils from Regency School and Christopher Whitehead Language College.
Local sports stars who volunteered at the PowerHouseGames included Adam Finch and Will Rowley of Worcester Cricket, Toby Grayling and Jacob Dearman from Worcester Wolves, Commonwealth Field Judge and ex-National Hammer thrower, Jack Lambert, Worcester Warriors and U23 England Rugby Player Tori Sellars, Step 4 Football referee Nathan Charles, and players and coaches from Severn Stars netball, including Izzy Eaton and Jo Tripp among others.
Teacher Eleanor Bufton of Regency School said that her student, Troy, was pleased that he was being asked to help his team with the rules and skills because, as a wheelchair user, he had played it more than them. She added that another pupil, Katie, asked if they could play seated netball at school…and she also offered to coach her class.
Lisa Glass of Christopher Whitehead Language College accompanied 24 of her students from years 8 and 9. She commented,
“they loved all the activities and felt they had so much fun. All came away with a positive feeling and a greater respect for the way the special school students participated. They want us here to do some of the sports in our PE sessions. Absolutely inspiring.”
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.
Tom Grayling, a Worcester Wolves NBL player who volunteered at the event, said:
“most children won’t have done events like this before, but it’s eye opening – I’ve never played boccia before – it’s good, you need to see the other half!”
Phoebe, a pupil taking part, said about playing wheelchair basketball:
“it’s quite easy and fun too, although I’ve never been in one before! It’s easy once you get the hang of it…I’ve scored two in the highest hoops!”
And of being in a wheelchair, she added,
“it’s easy but I see how people in wheelchairs see things now…it’s interesting. I’m glad I took part in this today, it’s really fun and very, very interesting to see how other people go through life.”
Another pupil taking part was George, 13, who said:
“my favourite sport was walking football, and I’ve also done wheelchair basketball – that was really fun. It was good to feel what someone else is feeling and the way they go through life. [The experience of being in a wheelchair] is generally something that can be quite worrying for people, but when other people understand, it makes the whole situation a lot better.”
Chris Stephenson, Adapted Sports Lead at Worcester Warriors Foundation, commented:
“Warriors Community Foundation deliver a range of adapted and multi-sport sessions into local Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools to increase participation and exposure to rugby via a multi-sport approach. Working with Power2Inspire and the University of Worcester, both of whom share our ethos of inclusion and serving society’s most excluded and disadvantaged groups, will not only benefit these groups but enable us to grow a sustainable and safe environment for SEN children and provide more multi sports delivery within Worcestershire. Plans are already being drawn up for next year’s festival”.
Rebecca Foster MBE, Principal Lecturer for Adapted Physical Education at the University of Worcester School of Sports, and former Deaflympic Athletics Team Manager and Coach, said,
“This was an outstanding event that brought a range of different people together to share a love of inclusive sport. The University of Worcester students who led the events were amazing as they adapted activities, so all people achieved and had fun. I received an email from the special school that attended, and they said that the children had gone back to school buzzing, showing off their medals. I am so glad that John [Willis] approached us and will be delighted to work with him again. THANK YOU!”
Dr Emma Richardson, Senior Research Fellow at University of Worcester, also tweeted,
“Can’t speak for the kids but I had a GREAT time at Power2Inspire! So much fun ‘working’ by trying new sports, laughing the whole time and tiring my legs out…thank you John (Willis, Power2Inspire Founder), Rebecca Foster, Worcester Warriors Foundation, University of Worcester PE Department…for a fantastic day.”
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.
