Sport Together hosted its first Festival Of Inclusivity of the year with an event which provides multi sport activities for adults and children with physical disabilities or learning or neuro diverse conditions.
The event which took place on Friday, February 16 at Reading FC’s training dome was hosted by Dan Rook, co-founder of STB and of Reading FC’s Community Trust and gave opportunities for those who usually face barriers to access and take part in sport.
Throughout the day, participants took part in football, rugby, hockey, cricket and multisport activities such as foam javelin, foam discus, huge parachute and inflatable darts.
Having previously hosted similar events at Palmer Park and Cantley Park in 2023, February’s event is the first of six events that will be held across Berkshire this year.
Sport Together Berkshire co-founder Craig Hunter said: “Reading FC are going through an extremely challenging time (we send them all our best wishes), so it is even more important that we, as the wider community must work hard to ensure this facility will still be available for all of those in the local community to use for years to come. We certainly will be back if invited.”
Symon Cooke, Director of Sport Together Berkshire, and Head Teacher at the wonderful Avenue School in Tilehurst added: “It was great to see the sports community of Reading, through Sport Together Berkshire CIC, leading the way with this incredible opportunity.”
“Frustratingly, many community activities and events aren’t suitable or accessible for young people with severe, complex, and profound SEND. The sports leaders made the children, and their families feel really welcome and offered something for every participant, irrelevant of experience, skills, or physical development.
“It was great to feel part of such a strong community. Accessible sport not only develops children’s physical skills, it also offers health benefits, social and communication opportunities in abundance.
“I am really confident that Sport Together Berkshire CIC will go from strength to strength, offering an increasing array of physical development opportunities for young people with SEND in Reading.”
Dave Evans Reading FC Community Trust Manager said: “We are very proud as a Community trust to work in partnership with a number of charities, sports groups/clubs to host the Festival of Inclusivity here in the Training Dome at Reading FC. Part of our strategic objectives is to ensure the Trust becomes more inclusive and accessible to underrepresented groups and participants.
Friday’s event demonstrated how impactful this can be on both families and individuals, lots of smiles and enjoyment with some individuals being signposted onto future activities.”
