People discover wonders of wheelchair sport at WheelPower event

On Thursday 8 December, 57 physically disabled people aged from 5 to 70 attended a Wheelchair Sports Festival at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Buckinghamshire. The event was organised by WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport and it provided everyone taking part with an opportunity to try a variety of sports, including boccia, tennis, wheelchair basketball, archery and athletics. 

The event was WheelPower’s final wheelchair sports festival of the year, bringing together local individuals, school groups and organisations to enjoy a full day of activity at the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.

For many people these events are a first introduction to wheelchair sport and give the participants an insight into the opportunities available to continue playing sport and being active locally. Throughout the day the coaches delivered a series of taster sessions to all of the physically disabled children and adults who attended, all whilst being supported by a wonderful group of volunteers.

Participant, 19 year old Jasmin said:

"It’s been a really good day and I would absolutely recommend the WheelPower Sports Festival to other wheelchair users like myself. I really liked the archery and it was something I’d never done before. Maybe I could be the next Robin Hood now! All in all its been such a great experience, to meet new people and to try new things." 

George travelled from Berkshire with his mum, and was really looking forward to having a go at everything on offer.

George said:

"I love sport and have really enjoyed my first festival experience with WheelPower. I’ve not played wheelchair tennis for about 4 years and very much enjoyed playing it again, as well as the archery which I'd never done before in a chair. Events like this show what is possible and the different sports you can play in the future."

The Buckinghamshire Sports Festival was supported by a group of local coaches and volunteers who helped the participants to achieve their best throughout the day.

Conor Harris, Sports Event Coordinator from WheelPower was thankful to everyone who helped make the wheelchair sports festival such a success.

Conor said:

"It has been a brilliant day here at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and it was fantastic to see the sports hall looking and sounding so busy again. This is the first time we have delivered our festival event in Buckinghamshire since the Covid pandemic and it is great to be back. These events are not only fun but provide an opportunity to try wheelchair sport that many have never had before. It is life changing in so many ways and we hope that everyone who joined us takes away lots of positivity and enthusiasm to continue their sporting journeys in the future."

WheelPower's next free sports festival will take place in Sheffield, Yorkshire on the 25 January 2023.

Find out more about the Sheffield event on the WheelPower website.