Inter College Sports Day
Almost 200 students from specialist colleges and sixth forms across the North West joined Royal College Manchester students last Thursday at our sixth annual Inter College Sports Day.
Competitors travelled to SportCity in Manchester, where they were divided into teams. Because 2016 is an Olympic and Paralympic year, we decided to use the theme of 'Sport around the world' and all teams were named after different countries and carried their own flags.
Athletics events including the long jump, high jump, javelin and shot putt, all of which were adapted so students with a wide range of physical disabilities were able to compete. When it came time to sprint, young people with wheelchairs also took to the track to race one another.
Maureen Wilkins, the RCM tutor who organised the event, was delighted by the turnout. "It was great to see so many young people competing against one another and taking on these challenges together."
At Seashell Trust, we see all too often that children and young people with complex needs aren't given the opportunities to get active, play sports and test themselves against other young people as athletes and competitors in their own rights. But we also know that making these opportunities available can be hugely important for the wellbeing of the young people, and for the community around them.
Our May CADS, which offers sport and activities for children of all levels of ability and disability, is well underway, and Maureen is already looking to her next event - our July TriSeashell, an adapted triathlon for young people with complex needs and a children's duathlon, suitable for all abilities. The event is very beginner friendly so anyone interested can sign up online or by contacting Maureen Wilkins directly.