Arbor Hotshots clinches first Twilight Games Championships title
The Twilight Games Championships took place at Parklands Leisure Centre in Oadby on Tuesday 11th September, as eight Care Homes and 48 residents from across the county and city compete to claim the first ever title, following the success of the Twilight Games Programme, funded by the Leicestershire Community Foundation and Leicestershire and Rutland Sport.
The opening ceremony saw residents eager to get the games started, as they came fully equipped with team names, flags, banners and Hadrian House’s very own giant teddy bear mascot.
On the day of the Championships, three competitions took place for teams to compete against each other in a round-robin styled fixture list. The activity schedule included the likes of: boccia, seated volleyball and audio basketball. A fun activity zone involving skittles and beanbag target throw was also setup for teams who were rested between the games, ensuring residents had the choice to either encourage other teams on or get more practice in, ready for the next competition.
Although the Championships added a competitive nature to the day, the overall Twilight Games aims to increase mobility, mental health and wellbeing and increased social activity, exercised by residents in their own setting.
The day concluded with each care home awarded for their huge efforts in participation with medals and a certificate based on their final position:
- 8th Place ~ Cooper House – Super Cooper (Leicester)
- 7th Place ~ Hadrian House – Hadrian Unbeatable Champions (Thurmaston)
- 6th Place ~ Curtis Weston House – Curtis Crushers (Wigston)
- 5th Place ~ Woodmarket House – Woodmarket Warriers (Lutterworth)
- 4th Place ~ Tillson House – Team Tillson (Coalville)
- 3rd Place ~ Harvey House – Harvey Hurricanes (Barwell)
- 2nd Place ~ Lenthall House – Lenthall House (Market Harborough)
- 1st Place ~ Arbor House – Arbor Hotshots (Evington)
The Chairman of the Leicestershire County Council, Mr Ozzy O’Shea, featured in the second half of the day to greet and encourage the residents on this special occasion. The Chairman also presented the awards during the presentation ceremony. His words touched on the success of the event:
“You’re not just doing exercise here like you have been doing before, you’re meeting people, you’re socialising and having a good time and that’s what it’s about!”
Leicestershire and Rutland Sports Development Officer, Kate Scott, who organised the event highlighted on the event:
“The Championships has been a great success following a true partnership effort with LRS and care homes working together to create a programme of activity for our older generation. To see all the athletes taking part in such an enthusiastic and competitive manner just goes to show that you are never too old to take part in sport”.
The Twilight Games Programme involves providing care homes with the necessary staff training, resources cards and equipment to enable them to feel confident in delivering the activities to their residents.
For more information visit Leicestershire and Rutland Sport website.
