THERE is a winning feeling among youngsters at Heathside School today after a sports team returned with silverware from a national competition.

THERE is a winning feeling among youngsters at Heathside School today after a sports team returned with silverware from a national competition.

A group of 14 pupils from the Ipswich special school travelled home from a mini games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium with a trophy for the Outstanding Team Peformance.

The event saw nine school and sport teams from across the country compete in activities including running, swimming and team games.

Physical education teacher Christel Macaudiere was among 11 adults who accompanied the children on the trip.

Ms Macaudiere said: “For us it wasn't about individuals doing well and winning, it was about being a team.

“We were by no means the best as our ability was a lot lower than most of the teams but we put so much effort in.

“Seeing the children's faces beaming with delight as they had fun and achieved personal goals was brilliant.”

The games, run by charity Disability Sport Events, were from Friday, May 5, to Sunday . The children took part in races - some using wheelchairs or support equipment - throwing, swimming, kurling (a form of curling played on smooth indoor flooring, not ice) and polybat which is similar to table tennis.

In their free time they took part in team games like cricket, le cross, basketball and rounders.

Ms Macaudiere said: “For a lot of the children it was their first time away from home without their family and just staying for a weekend with peers in dorms was a whole new experience.

“The enthusiasm they put it was amazing and they all got so much out of it, not just during the sports but by developing social skills and learning about independence.”

The youngsters who took part in the event were Aaron Meehan, Jamie Riley, Glenn Curtis, Hannah Alcock, Jason Green, Carmen Steward, Bethany Knights, Kiah Hall, Rebecca Clithero, Kirsty Ward, Megan Stammers, Ross Heward, Genna Packer and Lotte Alcock, all aged between nine and 11 years old.

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WEBLINK:

www.disabilitysport.org.uk