Real super hero flies into Devon Ability Games
A real life superhero is set to inspire over 300 young people from schools all over Devon this Thursday at the Spring Ability Games.
Chris Jones the captain of Britain’s Superhero Tri, the first ever inclusive triathlon event, will be flying into the Plymouth Life Centre and proving that when you have a disability it’s all about what you can do, not what you can’t. There is nobody with a greater pedigree than Chris when it comes to motivating youngsters with a range of impairments and disabilities.
He is a former soldier, Help for Heroes Ambassador and competed in the Invictus Games in Orlando last year.
Chris is a self confessed adrenalin junkie with world class skills across a range of sports including surfing, mountain biking, skiing and kayaking. He will be cheering on young people at the Ability Games as they take part in a range of sporting competitions and try out taster activities as varied as rock climbing and volleyball speed cage!
“Having taught disabled students in mainstream schools, I know how resilient, creative and tenacious they can be” said Chris. “I'm very excited to have the opportunity to find out how they can apply that attitude through the sports available in their schools, particularly given that sport has played such a big role in my own recovery, and look forward to encouraging them to aim high!”
The hottest inclusive sports festival in the county promises to be a colourful and noisy spectacle with around 70 young leaders some able bodied, some disabled, who have been hand-picked by schools around the Plymouth swelling the ranks and helping to run many of the activities.
The opening ceremony begins at 10.15 with a number of opening acts including a display by Exim Dance Company, a Plymouth based award winning Dance Company known for their fresh and vibrant approach to making dance accessible for all. The young people taking part, over 300 of them, are from Special Schools and Mainstream SEN across the county and this event provides them invaluable experience of trying out and competing in sport for enjoyment, for personal reward and for a team.
Figures suggest that 72% of people with a disability never take part in any sport or physical activity, so the Local School Games organising Committee that arrange the event headed up by Active Devon, know that it is vital to inspire youngsters with lifelong active habits.
Competitive sports on offer on Wednesday include Sitting Volleyball, New Age Curling, Mini Red Tennis, Archery and Primary Festival.
Matt Evans the Chief Executive of Active Devon, one of the key organising partners said: “The Devon Ability Games is firmly established as one of the highlights in the annual calendar for school sport in Devon. It is a fantastic day which is hugely inspirational. Not only does it help young people who often experience real challenges to getting active but it is largely delivered with the help and support of young people as leaders, officials and event deliverers. Active Devon is really proud to be part of the Local Organising Committee which helps the Devon Ability Games to take place”.
The Devon Ability Games is part of a programme of four Countywide School Games multi-sport festivals in Devon, delivered by Active Devon on behalf of the Devon School Games Local Organising Committee.
For further information please contact Active Devon on 01392 925150
