The first joint festival of inclusivity, featuring sports for people of all ages and abilities, has been celebrated in Reading.
The festival took place at Palmer Park and Stadium last Saturday (September 13).
The event was the first organised in collaboration between Sport Together Berkshire CIC, which has held similar events, Reading Borough Council and GLL, the council’s leisure contractor.
The day featured football, cricket, rugby, archery, bowls, cycling and running on the recently completed stadium track, with participation medals provided by Councillor Alice Mpofu-Coles (Labour, Whitley), the mayor.
Cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith (Labour, Church), who attended the event, said: “There were lots of young athletes and sports for all abilities. Thanks to all the organising team, the athletes, and our cllr Mpofu-Coles who put on a late spurt to beat Matt Rodda MP to the finish line.
“Cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) pushed me around … er nothing new there, but, to be fair I cycled her round, too!”
Cllr Hornsby-Smith is the chair of the access and disabilities working group, which had oversight of the event.
He added: “It was brilliant, it was delightful to see the kids get their medals, that was the most wonderful thing for me. They were delighted.”
Mr Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, said: “It was wonderful to see so many young people with disabilities enjoying sport at the event at Palmer Park.
“I would like to thank everyone who took part together with the organisers, it was a privilege to be able to show my support for such an inspiring event.”
You can find out about the access and disabilities working group on the council website.
