Participants View

“I really enjoyed taking part in all the activities. My favourites were badminton, dance, and tennis. I met many great kids and I will have so much to talk about later on.” (Natalia, from Essex)

“I have Cerebral Palsy and I can’t walk very far, so I use a wheelchair most of the time and play wheelchair sports. I was really excited about coming to the Games and its been a really great experience. Its my first time here and I’ve tried loads of difference sports that I’ve never tried before. I quite liked wheelchair rugby, I did fencing this morning and badminton as well so might continue those in the future.” (Jamie, 16 from Reading)

“Playing sport gives me freedom, you haven’t got anyone judging you. You are playing with people who have similar disabilities to you, so you can feel like you can be you and have so much fun and you forget about everything else that is going on in your life. I would definitely recommend this event to anybody who what to try new sports. It’s been a really great experience and I think a lot of other people should try it.” (Chloe, 16 from Worthing)

“Sport is very important to me, and not only from a physical point of view, but from a mental point of view. I don’t think there’s any sport I’ve missed so far and although I’m pretty tired now, I have loved every minute. I feel I’ve been so lucky to have this opportunity and I’d definitely come again!” (Jayden, 13 from Southampton)

“It’s my first time at the Games and I am enjoying it a lot and I like to do all the different sports. I was born disabled and I made myself walk because I was scared. But after this week I think I might go in my wheelchair at school because this week has made me feel proud of being in a wheelchair.” (Millie, 13 from Coventry)

A parents perspective 

“Seeing Ellie smile so much was a true gift. The fellow carers and parents were all high spirited and it was a fantastic chance for kids to mix and feel happy and safe in their own skin. Thank you to WheelPower for making our year. And that’s no exaggeration!” (Ellie’s Mum)

“What an amazing three days. Watching my child go off confidently and do everything independently was my highlight of the week. Thank you for having us.” (Parent)

“My son Peter is 13 and has had a spinal cord injury since 2019 and we’ve been looking for more sporting opportunities for him to get into. We came last year and are back again! Its really hard to find where these sports are available and then you come here and speak to the coaches and they point you in the right direction and they say ‘there’s a club near you here, go and have to chat to them’. I’ve recommended it to so many of his friends and I keep saying to them you must come because it’s really good.” (Parent of Peter, from Derbyshire)

“Sport is so important to my daughter Holly and she’s a very active girl who loves to compete so she’s been loving it here at the Junior Games. No one cares about anyone’s disability and no one is trying to outdo anyone and it’s just about having fun. I don’t know what the future holds but whatever she wants to do really, I’m quite happy to put everything behind it and make it happen. I just love to see the smile on her face and watching her pushing herself to do more.” (Hollys Parent)

Coaches view

“I really enjoy the coming to the Games because of the fact that its so inclusive. I absolutely love it and I’ve asked to come back to the next series of WheelPower events and it’s so nice to see the children achieving things. The ones that quite often are written off come here and they have massive achievements and they all go away on such positive note.” (Jackie Woods, Boccia England)

“This week we’ve been introducing young people to the game of tennis and giving them a chance to get on court in a chair. Coming to events like this is really important and it gives us an opportunity to get into the community. For the children here to try a sport that is both fun for a hobby but also can turn into a career is something that not all sports provide so we’re glad to be able to do that.” (Will Croft, LTA)

“I was asked to come up here for the week to support the Games as a volunteer with the archery team and I tell you what, its been brilliant. I’ve really enjoyed the week so far and it’s the children’s faces and seeing what they can achieve is so special. I’m very tired as you can imagine but to see them pull a bow and arrow back and see that they can do it and they hit the target is so good.” (Debbie, Wheelchair Archery Association)

From the Teachers 

“The highlight of the Games was seeing the students develop their independence and confidence trying new things” (Teacher, Angmering School)

“When I arrived today one of our students came up to me and said high boss I’m having the best life! During the week they get to experience all these different sports, and get to work with incredible coaches. There’s a real social aspect as our children never normally get to do a residential experience or event a sleep over. It is life changing for the pupils to be part of something. We love WheelPower, they do an amazing job.” Neil Oldham, Headteacher at Highfurlong School)

“It’s a fantastic experience and really well set out, and it’s been brilliant for the students who have loved every minute. They are going to take back that they can achieve anything when they put their minds to it and achieve their personal best. They have started off and beat their score, and have got better and better at each activity and shows how good the coaches and organisers are. I would 100% recommend it to other schools. It’s a fantastic opportunity for every child to come down and take part.” Redwood School

“Our students get the opportunities to try sports that they don’t get every day, and they have absolutely loved it. They talk about it all year and ask about when are we going again! We are a mainstream school and they do some adapted sport there but here they get to do so much more than we can do back at school. They wouldn’t talk to me again if we didn’t come back next year. It’s the best day of the year, thank you WheelPower.” Natalie Taylor, Sir William Ramsay School. 

Check out the 2023 National Junior Games Flickr Album 

If you have any questions about the 2024 event please contact the WheelPower Sports Team. Email: sport@wheelpower.org.uk or check out our FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions