Juniors get set for National Games

Health and Social Care, Physical Activities

#JuniorGames

Less than a month since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games finished, young disabled people from Buckinghamshire will be joined by children from as far as Plymouth and Yorkshire at Stoke Mandeville Stadium – the birthplace of the Paralympic movement for the opportunity to discover and excel in a range of sports.

Starting on Monday 3 October 150 participants aged 11 to 18 will take part in WheelPower’s National Junior Games. Junior athletes will have a go and compete in a range of sports over 4 days in the event supported by Thomas Cook Children’s Charity.

The National Junior Games attract many school and group team entries, and 16 schools will travel from as far as Devon and Blackpool to take part. The youngsters will take inspiration from past competitors that include Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Ade Adepitan and London 2012 superstar David Weir CBE.

ParalympicsGB gold medallists David Smith (Boccia) and Jess Stretton (archery) will attend the Games on Tuesday 4 October to inspire the participants and pass on their tips for success.

Martin McElhatton, Chief Executive of WheelPower said:

“Sport and physical activity provides tremendous health and social benefits at all levels for disabled children. The National Junior Games gives participants with the confidence and the opportunities to live healthy active lifestyle.

It has been an exciting 12 months for WheelPower has seen how Rio 2016 has inspired an increase in the number of disabled children wanting to attend our events. “

The National Junior Games will be held at: Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP

Thomas Cook Children’s Charity Trustee, Matthew Harding, said; “We are delighted to be able to continue to support Wheel Power’s National Junior Games programme and so proud to be helping to transform lives through sport.”