Schoolchildren enjoy inclusive sports programme
Schoolchildren at Ninestiles, an Academy in Birmingham, have completed a six-week inclusive sports programme aimed at promoting physical activity and inclusion for all children.
The ‘United by 22: Gift of the Games’ programme follows on from the Commonwealth Games. Over 40 learners completed the programme.
The initiative had learners participating in disability and inclusive sports, such as wheelchair basketball, soft archery, adaptive boxing, boccia and inclusive athletics.
The programme also aimed to foster social connections and teamwork between young people promoting an inclusive school environment , further enhancing the inclusive environment at Ninestiles Academy.
Ninestiles, an Academy which is part of the Summit Learning Trust, signed up to the programme to engage children and young people who may feel reluctant to participate in traditional sports.
These sports were selected to offer accessible and engaging activities that promote physical fitness, teamwork, and understanding of adaptive sports.
The sessions provided learners with the chance to learn and experience sports that are typically not offered within the standard school curriculum.
Inclusive Athletics, for example, saw young people participate in athletic events using wheelchairs, while wheelchair basketball helped further develop their skills in inclusive sports.
The programme was specifically designed to address the drop in participation rates as children and young people transition from primary to secondary school, while also increasing awareness and engagement with disability sports.
The 'Gift of the Games' initiative is designed to help schools integrate inclusive sport and physical activity into the daily lives of students. Its objectives are to create a lasting impact by promoting sports that are suitable, social, self-affirming, and safe.
Alex Hughes, Principal of Ninestiles Academy said: "This programme has been a fantastic opportunity for our learners to engage in new, inclusive sports, and it has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and confidence grow over the past six weeks.
"By participating in a variety of inclusive activities, our young people have gained a deeper understanding of disability sport, while also building essential skills like teamwork and resilience."
“The success of the 'Gift of the Games' programme has had a lasting impact on our school community and continues to strengthen the bond between our learners. We look forward to future initiatives that promote inclusion and physical activity for all.”
