Sports for everyone were on offer at an Erewash School Sport Partnership festival for primary pupils.
More than 270 pupils from Chaucer Junior and Infant Schools, Firfield Primary, Cotmanhay Infant School, Mapperley Primary School, Hallam Fields, Ladywood and Kensington schools all took part.
They played seated volleyball, curling, boccia, goal ball – which involved one pupil being blindfolded and being guided towards a ball by another child – and seated javelin.
They were supported by sports leaders from Derby College who helped to run the event, at Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston, as part of their studies.
All abilities were catered for and the idea was to give all children a taste of inclusive sports.
Beth Grainger, from Erewash School Sport Partnership, said: “The Sportsability festival is all about including pupils of all abilities and also giving children an insight into sports that are designed to be all inclusive.
“We would like to thank the pupils for being so enthusiastic and to the staff and parents who accompanied them. We would also like to thank the sports leaders from Derby College who did a fantastic job.”
Debbie Farmer, PE co-ordinator at Mapperley Primary School, said: “It’s great to see everyone trying out inclusive sports. Everyone loved it and it gives them a different appreciation but actually they didn’t see the sports on offer as being any different. I think it raises awareness of sports for people with disabilities and gives children an understanding of them.”
Oscar Blake, from Mapperley Primary School, said he loved taking part in the festival.
He said: “We did seated volleyball where we sat or knelt down and played. We tried to get the ball over the net and it was quite hard. I’ve enjoyed everything but my favourite activity was probably the curling.”
Notes to editors: Erewash School Sport Partnership is a group of 45 schools working together to develop PE and sport opportunities for all young people. Its core priority is to improve the quality and quantity of PE and sport in schools. The partnerships aims to engage, motivate and include as many young people as possible in a positive PE and sport experience.

Source