Project Need
In 2014 Wesport decided that we needed to expand our School Games Inclusive Sport offer. We had previously successfully run sitting volleyball, boccia, and polybat competitions but felt we needed something more challenging that would include training and development opportunities leading up to a School Games Final. We wanted something that would push boundaries, help confidence to grow and give young people a real sense of achievement
After some research and discussions with All Aboard Water Sports in Bristol, we decided to run an Inclusive Water Sports Competition incorporating sailing, kayaking and rowing. All Aboard made a Sportivate application to provide schools with a 6 week training programme leading up to The Games.
Event background
Over the last 4 years our Inclusive Water Sports Games has seen 450 children, predominantly with special needs, enjoying learning how to row, sail and kayak culminating in the opportunity to utilise their new skills in a competitive environment.
The event brings together children aged 11 to 18 from both mainstream and special schools. At least 50% of the children from mainstream schools must have SEND with the remainder being children who have never represented the school in a sporting activity.
Aims and Objectives for 2017
After 3 years of successful competition we felt we needed some fresh impetuous to take us into 2017, so as with every event we run, planning started with us looking back at the previous years’ competition. We collated feedback from teachers, the participants, our staff and the coaches from All Aboard. At this time a new CEO had just being appointed by All Aboard and there had been a number of staff changes.
These changes gave us an opportunity to have fresh input into how we might improve the Games. We decided to stick with a ten school format and to continue to offer six weeks of training. New initiatives included providing different coloured T shirts for each team, a much wider range of on-shore activities such as problem solving, music and a live commentary on each event to help build excitement. In previous years as well as providing the coaches, All Aboard had provided all of the volunteers on the day of the Games. We decided to train a group of Young Leaders to support each school using funding provided through DfE. Sustaining activity had proved difficult in the past so we also agreed to set up a Satellite club at All Aboard offering further opportunities for young people with special needs.
We also thought it was important to raise the profile of the event so decided to try to ask Radio and TV stations to advertise and report on what we were doing. Consultation took place with the relevant NGB’s to ensure that the make-up of our competition would be appropriate and in accordance with their guidelines.
Event Delivery
As with all of our School Games events the opportunity to take part in the Inclusive Water Sports was advertised via our competition website. The spaces were filled very quickly with the ten schools wanting to take part being Abbeywood, Bedminster Down, Bradley Stoke, Bridge Learning Campus, Broadlands, Downend, Kingsweston, New Fosseway, Oldfield and Threeways. This equated to 6 mainstream and 4 special schools.
The data gathered during the training sessions showed that 129 children took part of which 50% had a disability, 70% were SEND and 60% were inactive at the time of the first session.
We identified 14 CSLA Level 2 students from Merchant’s Academy to train as young leaders. They received a day’s training that included time on the water, instruction on safety equipment and the specially modified equipment for disabled use. As well as this, All Aboard ran a workshop focusing on the specific challenges of working with young people with special needs thus ensuring that the young leaders would be empathetic to their needs.
The night before the Games, Alice, who leads on the operational side of the School Games, featured live on Radio Bristol’s sports show along with a PE teacher and pupil from one of the participating schools. We were able to share information about our Inclusive Water Sports as well as speaking more broadly about school sport and the School Games.
How did it go?
The West of England Summer Inclusive Water Sports Games took place on June 20th 2017. The sun shone on a fantastic day of inclusive sport. Medals were awarded for a number of team and individual events with everyone being cheered as they completed their events.
Radio Bristol were in attendance interviewing our staff, teachers, young leaders and most importantly the competitors. A special feature was run the following week. We were also featured by Made in Bristol TV who filmed the event and carried out a number of interviews. This was shared as a feature as part of their news programme called The Crunch, that very evening. Our plan to raise the profile was proving successful.
Some Quotes from the Day
Participant’s Parent - "Thank you again for taking Finlay on the water sports opportunity, he has thoroughly enjoyed all of it. To come away with the gold was an extra, along with the spirit of the games award. Very proud of him, we have seen a different (child’s name) to what we see at home, confidence and maturity wise’’.
Teacher of Participant – ‘’Thank you to all the staff at All Aboard! I was really impressed with the skill of the staff in supporting our young people and also working with the support staff to ensure all pupils had such a great experience. I will never forget a sitting back allowing (child’s name) to sail a boat independently, what a great experience for a young man who might not be with us next year’’.
Teacher of Young Leaders – ‘’It was fantastic to see our students put their skills into practice in an external environment. Despite being a group of mixed ability and some with little confidence it was great to see them come together as a team and to see them individually grow. The training they’ve received and the experience gained will also enhance their future employability’’.
The Future
Sportivate funding is no more, but this does not mean the end for our Water sports competition. Together with All Aboard we have identified a sponsor who will be providing funding to ensure that we will again be able to offer the 6 weeks training (such an important part of the programme) along with a fantastic finals day on the water.
The satellite club continues to run ensuring we give further opportunities to those who have had their appetite whetted by the School Games. This event is truly valued by the schools taking part and the physical, emotional and social benefits to the children are undeniable.