For 13-year-old Masie Grace from Nottingham, the WheelPower National Junior Sports Festival is about far more than just trying new sports.
“It’s great,” she says. “You get to try all these different sports, meet loads of new people and see loads of friends. I think it’s just great.”
Held each year at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, the WheelPower National Junior Sports Festival gives young people with physical impairments the opportunity to experience a huge range of accessible sports in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
For Masie, one sport stood out immediately.
“Probably table tennis,” she explains when asked about her favourite activity from the day. “I loved the fact that it’s competitive.”
That competitive spirit is exactly what WheelPower hopes to unlock through events like the National Junior Sports Festival – helping young disabled people discover activities they enjoy, build confidence and potentially continue with sport long after the event has finished.
But for Masie, the impact of the day goes much deeper than sport alone.
“I think it helps people,” she says. “People may be stuck inside all day every day, and if they could get more clubs like this, it helps people venture outside a bit more.”
I just want to say also what a special day Saturday was. I unfortunately couldn’t attend but our son came along with my husband and I know they both had the time of their lives. Both came home absolutely buzzing and my son hasn’t stopped talking about the event. My husband was overwhelmed by the kindness and enthusiasm of all staff and athletes. A huge thank you to all at wheelpower and everyone involved. These days really do make such a difference
That sense of connection and shared understanding is something many families experience at WheelPower events. For young disabled people, simply being around others with similar lived experiences can be incredibly powerful.
“If you all have the same needs as another person, you get to find out what background they’ve come from and stuff,” says Masie.
The benefits extend beyond the young people taking part. Parents and carers also have the chance to connect with others facing similar challenges.
“One mum could meet another mum,” Masie explains, “and if their child has the same needs, they get to find out what they’re going through.”
While Masie enjoys some physical activity at school, she believes there is still more that could be done to make PE fully inclusive for disabled children.
“I get to do some football, catching and throwing the ball, stuff like that which is fun,” she says. “But sports like boccia, table tennis and tennis would be more inclusive.”
It’s a reminder that accessible sport opportunities remain limited for many disabled children across the UK, making specialist events like WheelPower’s National Junior Sports Festival even more important.
When asked what she would say to the people who organise and support the event, Masie’s answer is simple but powerful.
“I think it’s really great because people get to hang out with their mates, make more friends and stuff like that.”
And perhaps most importantly of all, when asked whether she would leave the event feeling more confident, her answer comes quickly.
Thanks to you and everyone at WheelPower. We found the event engaging and hugely beneficial, not only for the introduction into sporting opportunities for wheelchair users but also the exposure Jesse got to other wheelchair users both his age and experienced individuals with disabilities. The day was invaluable and we would definitely do another one.
