Sport Together Berkshire CIC holds first of six 'festivals of inclusivity' in 2024

Photo: Chris Cook and Richard Angell  Instagram @photographyangells   

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Sport Together Berkshire (STB) CIC held its first Festival of Inclusivity of the year at Reading FC’s training dome in Winnersh on Friday, February 16.

Sport Together Berkshire CIC provide multi-sport activities and opportunities for adults and children with a range of physical, learning and neuro-diverse conditions.

It was hosted by Reading FC’s community trust and co-founder of STB CIC, Dan Rook, and supported by a host of sports clubs including CH Rugby, Reading Rockets Community Team, Berkshire Cricket, South Berkshire Hockey Club, the Berkshire Brigands Mixed Ability Rugby team, SecureCloud and Absolute Mobility.

Activities such as football, rugby, hockey, cricket and multi-sports (foam javelins, foam discus, inflatable dart board, a parachute and play area) took place in the safe environment for those challenged by their condition on a daily basis.

More than 120 people took part, including families, carers, volunteers, and organisers who together helped ensure that everyone had great fun and came away from the festival with a big smile on their face.

STB CIC has previously held events such as this in Palmer Park and Cantley Park in 2023 and this was the first of six festivals to take place across Berkshire this year.

Sport Together Berkshire co-founder Craig Hunter said: “Reading FC are going through an extremely challenging time (we send them all our best wishes), so it is even more important that we, as the wider community must work hard to ensure this facility will still be available for all of those in the local community to use for years to come. We certainly will be back if invited.”

Symon Cooke, director of Sport Together Berkshire, and head teacher at the Avenue School in Tilehurst added: “It was great to see the sports community of Reading, through Sport Together Berkshire CIC, leading the way with this incredible opportunity.

“Frustratingly, many community activities and events aren’t suitable or accessible for young people with severe, complex, and profound SEND.

“The sports leaders made the children, and their families feel welcome and offered something for every participant, irrelevant of experience, skills, or physical development. It was great to feel part of such a strong community.

“Accessible sport not only develops children’s physical skills, it also offers health benefits, social and communication opportunities in abundance.

“I am really confident that Sport Together Berkshire CIC will go from strength to strength, offering an increasing array of physical development opportunities for young people with SEND in Reading.”

Darren O’Connell from Absolute Mobility added: “This was such an amazing event, and it was wonderful to see everyone involved in a range of sports activities and most of all having fun. Well done to Craig and everyone involved for their hard work and dedication, we look forward to supporting you all in future.”

Chris Baker from Berkshire Cricket commented; “It was brilliant to see so many people at the event, all willing to give cricket a try. We practiced our catching before we had the opportunity to show off our amazing batting and throwing skills. It was amazing to be part of this wonderful day and we can’t wait for the next event.”

Dave Evans, Reading FC Community Trust Manager, said: “We are very proud as a community trust to work in partnership with several charities, sports groups/clubs to host the Festival of Inclusivity here in the Training Dome at Reading FC.

“Part of our strategic objectives is to ensure the Trust becomes more inclusive and accessible to underrepresented groups and participants.

“Friday’s event demonstrated how impactful this can be on both families and individuals, lots of smiles and enjoyment with some individuals being signposted onto future activities.”

A big thank you to Chris Cook and Richard Angell Instagram @photographyangells for volunteering their services and taking some fantastic photos for us to share.

“Once again, we were incredibly lucky to have the support of so many wonderful volunteers, amongst them were Berkshire Brigands Mixed Ability Rugby Team, without whom this event would not happen, thank you all.”

If you would like to know how to get involved in future events, or consider helping fund these events, visit www.sporttogetherberks.co.uk or email us at sporttogetherberks@gmail.com