Creating opportunity and celebrating achievement at the National Junior Games 2025

In late June, ninety-two young people came together at the birthplace of the Paralympic movement to take part in the National Junior Games. Three days of adaptive sport, with participants having the opportunity to take part in many different activities from archery to wheelchair basketball to handcycling. Perhaps even trying out the newer sport of Para Laser based on the modern pentathlon. Twenty different sports were available and attendees were able to try them all.

The National Junior Games is an annual event held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. It is open to all young people aged from 11-18 who have a physical disability. Many of these come as part of a school group although there are also a considerable number of individuals who come on their own.

One such person was Jack – having attended the year before, he was keen to return and, with dad Mark, was very excited to take part in both swimming and the wheelchair rugby.

Completely understandable – the pool at Stoke Mandeville is very well equipped. It is a 25m pool with an electric Poolpod hoist and has a selection of wheelchairs available. Swimmers can be wheeled directly onto the hoist in one of the chairs and lowered into the water, which makes for a smooth transition, with minimal transfers needed.

Out of the pool there is a huge sports hall with space for many different activities to take place. Whether the fancy was for wheelchair rugby, table tennis or badminton it was all happening in here.

In addition to another hall, there is also the stadium outside, complete with 400m track and room for field athletics.

The event is hosted by WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport. The charity host numerous events and training courses throughout the year, as well as providing online classes for people to take part in. This particular event is unique however, as it is the only one purely for young people. The ethos is to provide everyone with the opportunity to achieve their own personal best.

Throughout the week these young people get the chance to receive skilled coaching in many different disciplines, hopefully discovering a passion for something that may be ongoing. And that is one of the beauties –by taking part, young people can meet with representatives from many of the sports, who can then signpost them to clubs and organisations in their own area, the impact thus lasting much longer than just the few days of the event.

The games have been a springboard for many of our talented para-athletes with stars like Alfie Hewitt, Jess Stretton and David Weir all having participated at one point. Even if not all the participants go on to achieve sporting greatness, the games help to foster an interest in and a route towards a healthy, more active lifestyle.

But even more than the activities is the atmosphere –upbeat and fun, with a huge focus on what individuals can achieve. A refreshing change to that which is too often encountered by people with disabilities in the sporting world. All the participants can keep up without being left out, as the facility at Stoke Mandeville has everything needed to enable everyone to participate fully. Every day, attendees get to push themselves, accompanied and spurred on by others facing similar challenges and the atmosphere is incredibly positive.

On the final day, some fun. An evening event to celebrate everyone’s success, with recognition being given across many categories. There was a strong sense of achievement present as the medals were awarded, with huge smiles in evidence throughout the room. And, to finish in style, a disco, where everyone got to celebrate with all the new friends they had made.

To take part in 2026's National Junior Games visit www.wheelpower.org.uk to register your interest.