Young Londoners came together in a celebratory Adapted Inspire Festival on 14 November 2024 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, hosted by London Youth Games Foundation.

The event, designed to bring disabled young people and their friends together in a fully inclusive setting, featured nine different sports, including triathlon, pentathlon, wheelchair basketball, dance, boccia, athletics, and hockey. The purpose of the event was to build on the powerful legacy of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and ensure the summer of sport continues to inspire future generations.

As the first in a series of five Adapted Inspire Festivals, the event provided life-changing opportunities for young people to experience new sports for the first time. By introducing participants to a range of activities, the festival gave the chance for young people to find their passion, whilst providing pathways into clubs and a way to continue participating.

Reflecting on the day, Sara from Waltham Forest shared “Today has made me feel really good and it’s made me feel really included as well. I especially enjoyed the wheelchair basketball – it felt like everyone was equal and competing at my level, instead of me going to their level. I would love to join a club in wheelchair basketball after today.”

Ellie from Barnet said: “Today has been very unique because all the sports are very different to what I usually do, especially wheelchair basketball. And I got to do a lot of things which I haven’t done before like fencing as well.”

LYG Adapted Inspire Festivals provide vital access to the physical and mental health benefits of sport, while building positive relationships and creating a sense of community and belonging.

Hilmy Shawwal, Paralympic Wheelchair Racer at Paris 2024 added: “Being a part of the first of five LYG Adapted Inspire Festivals was an incredible achievement for me, as I got a chance to Inspire the next generation that are looking to get involved with disability sport. I will forever cherish London Youth Games for always supporting me because without them I wouldn’t have become a Paralympian, or been inducted in the LYG Hall of Fame. I hope to see many more kids and disability schools involved in the next 4 festivals across London.”

These inclusive events are proudly supported by Peter Harrison Foundation, Mayor of London (Greater London Authority) and LYG delivery partners including London Titans Wheelchair Basketball Club, Choice International, Boccia England, Rambert Grades, Pentathlon GB, Jump for Health, British Triathlon, London Wayfarers Hockey Club and LYG Inclusive Coaches.

Andy Dalby-Welsh, CEO of London Youth Games Foundation, commented: “The Adapted Inspire Festival represents everything the London Youth Games stands for: inclusion and opportunity for all. By celebrating and building upon the Paralympic legacy, we are ensuring young people in London are inspired, empowered, and supported to embrace sport for life.”

To learn more about the LYG Adapted Inspire Festivals, please visit www.londonyouthgames.org/inclusive-sport