Paralympic Experience Day For School Children 

South Bucks school children recently had the fantastic experience of meeting elite disabled athletes and trying their hand at several Paralympic sports at Stoke Mandeville Stadium; the ‘home’ of the Paralympics.

South Bucks District Council arranged for nearly 100 pupils aged 9 – 16 years from five schools to take part in a unique day delivered by WheelPower, the National Organisation for Wheelchair Sport. During the event the pupils were given the task of interviewing Nikki Emerson, wheelchair racer, and Chris Rattenbury, Great Britain powerlifter, both of whom are training at Stoke Mandeville and aiming to be Paralympians in 2012.

Helen Grove, Head Teacher at Dorney School, explained what the day meant to the children; “It enabled our pupils to get a real appreciation of the value of the Paralympics, they were very inspired by the life experiences told to them by the athletes; how they had not given up and had strived to attain their goals in the face of difficult obstacles.”

Pupils were also given coaching in wheelchair basketball, a chance to try blind football and seated netball, and, for some, there was even the chance to try powerlifting.

South Bucks District Councillor Anita Cranmer, Portfolio Holder for Community says, “This was an excellent opportunity for young people to have an ‘access all areas’ perspective on the training and dedication required by athletes who are striving to become Paralympians in 2012.”

In addition to all the sporting activities, the pupils also received a tour of the stadium that detailed how the venue played host to a forerunner to the Paralympics in 1948 and also held the official Paralympics in 1984.

The unique day was part of South Bucks District Council’s local 2012 plan leading up to the London Games. The children were from Alfriston School, Burnham Grammar, Butlers Court Primary School, Dorney School and The Beaconsfield School.