Festival Aims To Bring Together Able-Bodied Athletes and Para-Athletes

The fifth annual Sports Festival held by the Lancasterian Outreach and Inclusion Service (LOIS) took place at the Manchester Regional Arena this week, on Wednesday 27 June.

The festival focuses on demonstrating how pupils with disabilities can get involved in sport, and is open to pupils from any mainstream school that have a physical disability or complex medical condition to attend. In addition, pupils with a whole range of abilities are also invited attend. 

For the last four years the festival has been held at the Regional Arena, after it took place at Lancasterian in its hall for its first year.

This year saw English Paralympian, Graeme Ballard, who competes mainly in category T35 sprint events, attend the festival.

Julie Chester, Lead Outreach Teacher and Specialist Leader in Education for LOIS, said: “The Sports Festival this year was fantastic, helped by the weather and the sun, with so many people taking part. 

“At LOIS, we aim to support staff in mainstream schools to meet the needs of pupils with physical disabilities and medical needs.

“The Sports Festival allows us the opportunity to showcase the amazing talents of the pupils in the region. It also allows the pupils a chance to experience a range of accessible sports delivered by specialist disability sports coaches.

“Often a child may be the only pupil at their school with a physical disability, so this event allows them to meet and mix with other children who also have a disability, or a complex medical need.”

National law firm Irwin Mitchell has long been a supporter of LOIS, with the Manchester office of the firm nominating LOIS as its Charity of the Year in 2015, and has helped financially support the event. 

Julie added: “Irwin Mitchell have had a longstanding relationship with Lancasterian School and have on numerous occasions provided support to the staff and pupils. From hosting a coffee shop run by pupils in the Manchester Office to sponsoring us as their charity of the year, as well as providing staff to deliver weekly Boccia sessions and volunteers to support the delivery of the sports festivals. 

“Without the funding support from IM this year the event would not have been able to go ahead. We are genuinely humbled by the passion and enthusiasm of their staff in supporting and enriching the lives of pupils both at Lancasterian and those with physical disabilities in mainstream schools across Manchester.”

The law firm has a good reputation for supporting disability sport, especially through its Don’t Quit, Do It initiative. The aim of the initiative is to highlight the benefits and encourage participation in disability sport, which is backed by multiple gold medal-winning Paralympian Hannah Cockroft MBE.

Alexandra Barrie, a medical negligence specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Irwin Mitchell has a good relationship with LOIS and the team was happy to help Julie and all at LOIS, however we could, with this year’s Sports Festival.

“I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer at the Sports Festival, and it was a really enjoyable event. The sun was beaming down and it was great to see so many people participating, whether it was in a sport they know or whether they were trying out a new one.

“At Irwin Mitchell, we have always been committed to backing important local causes and Don’t Quit, Do It has given us a great chance to put a spotlight on some of the great young sporting talent emerging across the UK.

“We are delighted to lend LOIS this support, as it perfectly embodies the idea of Don’t Quit, Do It, and the huge benefits that sport can provide, and I look forward to working with Julie on many more fun projects in the future.” Alexandra Barrie - Solicitor

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's Don't Quit, Do It campaign.