On Thursday 4th July 2019. Jeremy Hunt MP for South West Surrey officially opened this year’s Surrey Para Games with children from throughout Surrey enjoying the first-class sporting event.
Over 250 young SEND students took part in a variety of sports including boccia, cycling, football, rowing, rugby, tennis, and sitting volleyball.
The Surrey Para Games, part of the 2018/19 Surrey School Games Programme is open to young people (teams of up to 20 per school) with special educational needs and disabilities in school years 7-10. The event enables sports talent identification and links with National Governing Bodies of sport talent pathways, as well as connections with local clubs for continued participation and involvement after the event.
Jeremy Hunt MP said: “Now in our sixth year, The Surrey Para Games has become a firm fixture in the Surrey School Games Programme. It is a fantastic event which continues to get more popular year on year encouraging youngsters to regularly participate in sport.”
Lending her support again this year was Games Ambassador and multi-medal winning Paralympian, Rachel Morris MBE who said: "The Games continue to deliver on the values of Sport and this year were backed up by some amazing young sports leaders who appreciate the challenges many participants are fighting just to attend, let alone participate in sport. They helped facilitate the day and are our future potential coaches who play an invaluable role in helping to get children and adults with disabilities into sport.”
Wendy Newton, from event deliverers Active Surrey, commented: “Finding an activity for young disabled people or those with SEND can be a challenge but the rewards that it brings in terms of opening up new worlds and boosting self-esteem can be incalculable. Parents and teachers can see details of opportunities we’re aware of across Surrey by visiting www.activesurrey.com/para-games .”
Tim Ostle Commercial Director at Charterhouse Club added: "This year we were delighted to welcome back the Games to Charterhouse Club as it is an event which benefits so many young people. Our ethos at the Club is to help ensure sport is accessible for all and this annual event is essential as it introduces youngsters with special needs and disabilities to an exciting range of activities that they may never have had the opportunity to try.”
South West Surrey MP, Jeremy Hunt, founded the Games as a legacy to the London 2012 Paralympics. The event is run in partnership with Charterhouse Club and generously sponsored by COINS Foundation and the DFN Charitable Foundation.
