The WheelPower Inter Spinal Unit Games are held annually at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and form an essential part of many spinal patients’ rehabilitation.
Over 100 patients and 60 support staff from fourteen Spinal Injury Centres and Specialist Units across the United Kingdom come together for a week of sport and activity at the Birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.
Patients receive coaching and demonstrations from current leading wheelchair sports athletes and coaches in over 20 sports which include archery, wheelchair rugby, athletics, fencing, basketball, powerlifting, boccia, swimming, shooting and tennis.
During the event they experience first-hand what can be achieved, both in terms of sport and an independent lifestyle and discover the tremendous benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.
The Games are sometimes a participant’s first experience outside a hospital environment since their injury, and provide a pathway to finding out the tremendous benefits that sport and physical activity can have on people’s lives.
"The Inter Spinal Unit Games have really inspired me! I have a new ambition, and can see how staying active and healthy through accessible sports can give me that drive that I need to get out of the house and meet new people." Ben, Southport
"Get here, 100 per cent, don’t miss it! It is a great opportunity to get into sports, there is so many to try. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough to anyone, I think it’s a fantastic event and I would definitely encourage everyone to come to try it out." Chris, Stanmore
Please note: The Inter Spinal Unit Games are for current spinal patients connected to a spinal unit. Teams are selected by the units and their physical activity advisors.
If you are an adult who isn’t in a Spinal Unit but would like to try out a range of sports then check out our Sports Festivals, a great alternative to the Inter Spinal Unit Games.
Written by Martin McElhatton OBE – Chief Executive of WheelPower
When I first started at WheelPower in 1988 I recall that Jean Stone MBE, the Sports Administrator for the charity and Harry Metcalfe the remedial gymnast at National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville came up with the concept of organising a competition between spinal units, very much linked to the origins of the Paralympic Movement and the first Stoke Mandeville Games held in July 1948.
The new Inter Spinal Unit Games were supported by the Marchday Charitable Fund and brought together patients and staff from Spinal Units around the United Kingdom with an invitation also extended to the Spinal Unit in Dublin, Ireland. Each team of up to eight participants had the chance to try a range of sports and enter in competitions to win the coveted Marchday Shield for the winning Unit.
Over the years the Games have become a regular feature in WheelPower’s calendar and whilst the emphasis is on participation, raising awareness of what sports are available for people with Spinal Cord Injuries and a great social event, there have also been a number of participants who have gone on to compete in national tournaments and several who have become Paralympians.
2024 will be the 35th edition of the Inter Spinal Unit Games and with an estimated 4,400 paralysed each year they still hold an important role in the rehabilitation of people with a spinal cord injury. The Games have helped thousands of people during the past 35 years and the thrill of finding something as positive as sport can be for newly paralysed people is what moves WheelPower to continue to provide this life transforming event for many years to come.
The Jean Stone trophy will be awarded to the spinal unit with the highest number of points accumulated from taster sessions and competitions.
Three points will be awarded to spinal units for each sport they experience during the week. The majority of these sports will be available as taster sessions throughout the event. Points will be awarded for the top three placed individuals within each competition as follows:
Check out the playlist of videos from 2023 Spinal Games:
Filmed and edited by Fernando Productions UK alongside volunteers from local charity Adviza who supported a group of over 50s to learn the basics of film production.
Let’s hear from some of those who took part in 2023 …
“I haven’t done a lot of exercise in the last 15 years but now I’m looking forward to getting back into sport and I’m like what’s next? Let’s go! I have loved trying all these sports and loved the way it’s been organised. You get to come in and try anything you feel like and they support you and explain how to do it. This event has really opened my eyes to what WheelPower does as a charity and I wouldn’t have experienced what I have experienced if I hadn’t come here this week.” Bianca, 48 from London.
“When I’m playing sport It doesn’t make me feel disabled. Because its competitive and everything you forget about the disability and just work on your what you’re good at. You are also playing with other people in the same boat so you don’t feel out our place. So for me it’s the best thing really to be playing sports. You get to meet new people, find out other things from people and just have fun.” Abu, 28 from London.
“I wasn’t sporty active at all before injury but I’m really starting to take more notice of sporting opportunities now, especially as I need to stay healthy and rely on my arms which are now doing the job of four limbs. I was really excited to come to the Games and it’s definitely lived past my expectations. I came second in badminton today, but Table tennis was my favourite despite losing in the second round! This event is just proving that with life it’s not always as expected, and anything can happen. I found some passions here and I’ve had a great time.” Kieran, 24 from Bristol
“Following a rock climbing accident my life has changed totally and drastically. Before coming I had some anxieties because I have 24/7 support at home and I knew that I wasn’t going to get that here. So I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t get all the help that I needed, but everything has been really supportive. So I would say that it’s an excellent opportunity, that nobody, if they are offered this opportunity should miss because there will never have a chance to try so many things again. So its a must do!” Sylvia, 58 from Glasgow
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