Over 150 juniors set for National Games
150 disabled children from all over the country are getting ready for WheelPower’s flagship sports event at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, The National Junior Games.
Between Monday 22nd and Thursday 25th September teams from 15 different schools will be taking time out of the classroom for a life transforming education on progressing in sport and the benefits of living a healthy active life led by WheelPower the national organisation of wheelchair sport.
The budding athletes aged 11 to 18 will have a go at a range of new sports as well as compete for medals over four days in the event supported by the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity.
Led by some of the country’s leading disability sport coaches activities include Handcycling, Powerchair Football, Table Cricket, Swimming, Archery and for the first time ever Golf.
The ever popular wheelchair basketball and athletics will also be on offer as juniors take inspiration from Paralympic stars Ade Adepitan, David Weir and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson who took part in WheelPower’s National Junior Games on their road to success.
WheelPower’s Sport Development Officer, Stewart Jeeves said: “Sport provides tremendous health and social benefits at all levels and The National Junior Games gives participants the confidence and the opportunity to try sports in a fun, friendly and fully inclusive environment.”
“For three decades our Games have been providing disabled children a pathway to get involved in sport at all levels from the school playground to the podium of the Paralympics, and WheelPower are very proud of the impact it has on people’s lives”
Joanna Wild, Chairperson of Thomas Cook Children’s Charity said “We are thrilled to be supporting WheelPower’s National Junior Games for a third year in a row. Thomas Cook Children’s Charity supports children and the communities in which they live. By continuing to work with WheelPower, we have been able to increase the opportunities for young disabled people across the UK have to play sport. ”
Come and watch the Junior Games
Spectators are welcome to join our supervised tours to see the National Junior Games in action on either Tuesday 23rd September or Wednesday 24th in the morning. Tours are free of charge, pre booking is essential and subject to availability.
The National Junior Games will be held at: Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP contact Emma Lau to book a place emma.lau@wheelpower.org.uk or 01296 395995.