Blues Foundation, in conjunction with Bedford Blues, were delighted to host the Bedfordshire Powerhouse Games for the second time in September, welcoming various primary schools from across the county for an inclusive sports day.
Powerhouse Games is a multi-team event playing inclusive and adapted sports, perfect for young people of all ages and abilities. The aim is to challenge assumptions about each other, interact with other members of the community and have fun.
Blues Foundation Manager, Tom Harwood said: “It was fantastic to host the Bedfordshire Powerhouse Games at Goldington Road for the second successive year. Power2Inspire should be incredibly proud of the work they are doing to create inclusive opportunities through sport.
“To see children and adults participate, from all backgrounds and abilities was inspirational for not just myself, but the wider Blues Foundation staff. We look forward to building on this partnership again and hopefully running more Powerhouse Games across the county.”
Activities on the day included adapted versions of football, rugby and netball; alongside some cognitive challenges to ensure everyone could sample a mixed variety of sport and exercise.
John Willis, Founder and Chief Ambassador of Power2Inspire said: “Our mission is to embed inclusive sport in the sporting, education and community landscapes. The Powerhouse Games are incredible sports days 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 to challenge their assumptions of what they can and cannot do.”
Blues Foundation also thanked partners, Bellway Homes for their help and support on the day with multiple staff members volunteering to help the day run smoothly and get involved helping all participants have the best day possible.
Jonathan Bungard, Deputy Head (Pastoral) of Bedford Modern Junior School explained the value to his independent school students: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with people they have not had the opportunity to work with before: mixed groups, mixed ages, mixed genders and mixed range of abilities.
“Every single child I have seen is beaming. They are learning new sports, new challenges. I have seen some of our less traditionally sporty children really excelling in what they are doing.”
Blues Foundation continues to do great work across Bedfordshire in using the power of sport for the benefit of the local community.
If your business would like to support a future project like the Powerhouse Games, contact Tom Harwood on tom@bluesfoundation.org.uk or visit their website.
