WheelPower, the National Charity for Wheelchair Sport are hosting their annual National Junior Games from 30 September – 3 October 2019 at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.
The events that shaped the Paralympic movement under the sage watch of Dr Ludwig ‘Poppa’ Guttmann, who recognised the need to help seriously injured war veterans through sport, are legend. Perhaps it was that spirit of looking to a brighter future that still inspires competitors taking part in WheelPower’s National Junior Games. The primary focus of the National Junior Games is to encourage the disabled children and young people who take part to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle, which improves their mental and physical wellbeing.
Pathway
In addition to giving the participants a chance to play and enjoy sport, the Games provide a platform for those with sporting talent (12-18 years old) to be identified and nurtured along the Paralympic pathway.
The 2019 National Junior Games coincides with the 50th anniversary of the opening of Stoke Mandeville Stadium by HRH The Queen in 1969. The Stadium has since hosted many events for young disabled people, inspiring them to be active, play and compete in sport at all levels. The national event is an opportunity for participants from various backgrounds to gain confidence in their abilities, meet new friends, and inspire each other with a new healthier and happier way of life through sharing life experiences and real-life stories. Ultimately, the National Junior Games is a key catalyst behind noticeably improving the quality of the lives of the disabled competitors.
Chief Executive of WheelPower, Martin McElhatton, says: “WheelPower’s National Junior Games provide a wonderful opportunity for young disabled people to achieve their personal best, find a sport they love and inspire them to continue playing sport and being active throughout their lives.”
Previous National Junior Games participant, Alex Towns-Phill from the Village School in Kingsbury, London, comments: “Usually when you go on trips they don’t give you as much freedom to do what you want, but here they let you try different types of sports. I’ve tried shooting, archery, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair cricket. I’ve tried a multitude of different sports so I’m happy that I took the opportunity to come”.
Sharing experiences
WheelPower Head of Sport, Pasan Kularatne comments: “The National Junior Games are a fantastic way in which disabled children can experience and engage with sport and physical activity. The key aim of the Games is about supporting the young people in achieving a healthier lifestyle. Some will aspire to compete in sport and maybe reach the Paralympics, however, the main objective of the whole event is to ensure that all participants are encouraged to try something new. The Games also provide a platform for the sharing of ideas and experiences between participants, teachers, parents, carers and guardians.
WheelPower is thoroughly excited to run the Games this year and we are looking forward to welcoming participants both new and those returning again”.
The event provides children and young people with a superb opportunity to take time out of the classroom and discover sport and physical activity in a safe, welcoming and friendly environment. Parents, carers, personal assistants, and teachers will be involved in supporting participants duriny activities to ensure that they get the best experience possible throughout the event. All sports coaches are qualified, have DBS checks and have lots of experience of delivering activity to disabled people.
Participation
The Games will combine have-a-go sessions with coaching from some of the country’s leading disability sports professionals, and competitions in a range of different age groups and sports. The sports and activities include; archery, athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, wheelchair fencing, golf, handcycling, polybat, powerlifting, wheelchair rugby, swimming, table games, table tennis, tennis and zone hockey.
The initiative is all in line with WheelPower’s strategy, ‘Pushing Forward’ which aims to transform lives through sport and physical activity, and enable more disabled people to lead healthy and active lives.
Did you know..?
Stoke Mandeville Stadium has played a vital role in disability sport…
The National Paralympic Heritage Centre was opened at the stadium earlier this year to showcase and celebrate the determination, sportsmanship and vision that gave the World the Paralympic Games.
In 1993 the stadium hosted ‘Challenge 93’ the first International Ex-Service Wheelchair Games, organised by the Royal British Legion and opened by King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan.
Margaret Maughan became Great Britain’s first-ever Paralympic gold medallist at the Rome Games in 1960 having been treated by Dr Guttmann. She went on to light the flame at the London 2012 Games.
