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Juniors on their marks for WheelPower National Games

One year on from the London 2012 Games, young disabled people will travel from as far as Devon and Blackpool to Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Buckinghamshire. From Monday 23 September, 150 young participants will take part in WheelPower's National Junior Games. The young disabled people aged 11 to 18 will be able to try a range of sports and develop their talent in the annual event.

 Juniors will have a go and compete in a range of sports over four days in the event supported by Thomas Cook Children’s Charity.

The midweek activities of the National Junior Games attracts many school and group team entries. This year, they will welcome 16 schools. The youngsters will take inspiration from past competitors that include Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, Ade Adepitan MBE and London 2012 superstar David Weir CBE.

Ahead of the Games, Martin McElhatton, Chief Executive of WheelPower said:

“Disability sport provides tremendous health and social benefits at all levels. The National Junior Games gives participants with the confidence and the opportunities to live healthy active lifestyle. It has been an exciting 12 months for disability sport, and WheelPower has seen how London 2012 has inspired an increase of 60% in the number of disabled children wanting to attend our events. “

Joanna Wild, Chair of the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity said:

“We’re incredibly proud to support the WheelPower Junior Games for a second year running, helping ensure that the Games give young disabled people, inspired by the success of London 2012, the opportunity to take part on a sporting stage in the same way as their idols.”

EFDS report finds young people want sport to be fun

On 9 September, an EFDS report on disabled people's lifestyles and participation in physical activity highlighted some notable findings for young disabled people:

  • 84% of young disabled people enjoyed the last time they played sport
  • 5 in 10 young disabled people state that lack of awareness of suitable opportunities is what prevents them from taking part in sport or physical activity.
  • Over half of disabled people surveyed (51 per cent) did not enjoy their experiences of sport in school, compared to 69 per cent enjoying taking part in sport or physical activity with friends outside of school.
  • Young disabled people are most likely to take part in sport or physical activity because it is fun
    • But are least likely to take part in sport or physical activity to get fit, healthy or to lose weight.
  • Young disabled people are most likely to say that a sports person is their role model, with 32% of those surveyed stating this.

The National Junior Games will be held at: Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP

Use the Twitter hashtag to follow the news #JuniorGames

Get Involved. Find out more about WheelPower and their range of opportunities for wheelchair users to try sport.