The University of Cambridge Sports Centre hosted the fifth University Powerhouse Games on Friday supported by student members of the University Rugby League and Netball Clubs.

The event, which has a vision of “Inclusion through Sport” with the mantra “No one left on the bench”, aims to introduce participants to the idea that everyone can play sport with anyone, breaking down any potential barriers.

John Willis, Founder and CEO of Power2Inspire, organisers of the event, said “It was a great success – one of the Castle School students asked that we repeat the Games ‘as soon as possible’!” Commenting on the concept, John said,

 “By bringing together University elite athletes with students from a state school, an independent school and a special school, we break down further barriers – between those believing that university might be beyond them and wonderful ambassadors for Cambridge.”

The format of the event involves 12 teams of 5, including the University students and the school participants. This involves a leadership challenge for the University athletes as the teams rotate around 6 activities. The activities are inclusive sports including boccia (a Paralympic sport), new age curling, and goalball (another Paralympic sport where the players are blindfolded), and they adapt other activities such as touch rugby, and sitting netball.

Student members of Cambridge University Rugby League Football Team and Cambridge University Ladies Netball Club supported the event on the day, helping to run the sessions for the schools. Speaking after the event, Netball Club member Alex Telford, a first-year engineering student said

“Power2Inspire was a great experience - a really fun way to learn more about inclusive sport. There was a real atmosphere of joy and laughter filled the sports hall in every game. The children seemed to have a good time but I would argue it was even better for us volunteers, it was amazing to be able to bring such a smile to the face of the Castle Hill children through sport.”

President of the University Rugby League Football Club, Hilary Foord added:

“Friday was a fantastic day for the Cambridge University Rugby League Football Club helping out at the fifth PowerHouse Games! It was an amazing opportunity to give back to the local community and to see how much the children enjoyed the games! We would like to extend our thanks to John Willis for organising the games and for inviting us to volunteer!”

To find out more about Power2Inspire and the work they do, visit their website.