Twenty children experienced a day of confidence-building, celebration and inclusive sport at Lee Valley Athletics Centre

Children receive their medals at Lee Valley Athletics Centre during the SEN Sports Champions Inclusive Athletics Event — Children receive their medals from Enfield mayor Margaret Greer during the SEN Sports Champions Inclusive Athletics Event at Lee Valley Athletics Centre

Young athletes with special needs were celebrated with an event held at Lee Valley Athletics Centre in Pickett’s Lock.

SEN Sports Ltd and SEN Sports Community CIC, in partnership with Special Olympics Great Britain, hosted its first SEN Sports Champions Inclusive Athletics Event on Saturday (22nd).

Twenty young athletes with special needs experienced a day of confidence-building, celebration and inclusive sport – many for the first time in their lives.

Families described the event as “life-changing,” “beautiful,” and “the first place my child has ever been able to take part in sports safely”.

The day was made possible by funding from Special Olympics GB, meals from Seren Catering, refreshments from Coca-Cola, and free toys from The Toy Project, as well as the dedication of volunteers and coaches.

Enfield mayor Margaret Greer helped hand out medals to all the winners afterwards.

Shadie Banton, director of SEN Sports, said: “For all of the children who took part, this was the very first time they’d ever been able to access a sports event that understood their needs.

“You could see the pride on their faces as they crossed the finish line, some of them holding a medal and certificate for the first time in their lives. I know how often families are excluded from these kinds of experiences, so to be able to offer a safe, joyful and fully inclusive day meant everything to my team.

“This event is just the beginning; our vision is that every child with special educational needs in Enfield and across London has somewhere they can move, belong and be celebrated.”

To meet growing demand, SEN Sports Community CIC is now seeking funding and long-term venue partnerships to expand its work across London.

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