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FENCING FUN AT WHEELPOWER AND LIMBPOWER JUNIOR GAMES

Rick Rodgers and the BF coaching team, introduced around 100 young people with disabilities and their families to both standing and seated fencing at the WheelPower Junior Games on 9th May and the LimbPower Junior Games on 16th May. 

Images from LimbPower Junior Games stadium

The experience provided an opportunity for the participants to experience the excitement of fencing in an accessible and inclusive environment.

Across both events, children and young people aged between three and seventeen took part in fencing activities designed to be engaging, welcoming and suitable for a wide range of abilities and experiences.

WheelPower is the National Disabled Sports Organisation (NDSO) for wheelchair users. At the WheelPower Games, BF’s coaching team, James Gowen and Kseniya Kushtan, offered seated fencing opportunities using SwordSeat™.

LimbPower is the NDSO for those with limb differences. BF offered both seating and standing fencing opportunities depending on the participants’ impairment at the LimbPower Games.

Across both weekends, BF supported almost 100 participants to explore fencing through a range of movement and coordination based activities, and to challenge themselves with fencing-based activities and fun five point matches.

Both events provided an excellent opportunity to showcase fencing’s ability to adapt, ensuring as many people as possible can access the sport whilst demonstrating how SwordSeat™ can be used at a grassroots level.

The format of seated fencing ensures all the key elements of fencing (speed, reactions, tactics and skill) can be enjoyed by participants with varying ranges of physical abilities.

Photo from WheelPower Junior Games
WheelPower Junior Games

Rick Rodgers, BFs Inclusion Manager (Disability) said:

“The team noticed how quickly the sport helped participants build confidence and develop new skills throughout the sessions, with many using the event as an opportunity to introduce themselves to the sport.

Events such as the WheelPower and LimbPower Junior Games play an important role in introducing young people to sport and physical activity. Helping them discover new, exciting opportunities and clubs local to their areas.

If you have not yet updated your clubs accessibility information on Sport:80, please do so. This allows us to signpost interested individuals to your club, helping increase the sport’s popularity.

Thank you to all the organisers, coaches, volunteers and participants involved with contributing to the success of both events. We look forward to continuing to support opportunities that help make fencing accessible to more people across the country.”

This post is related to the BF 2030 Strategy goals one and five, to Grow Participation and Deliver Positive Social Impact. You can read more about the Strategy here.