Wandsworth celebrates Paralympics with special day of festivities

The Paralympic Festival at Tooting Bec Athletics track provided a unique opportunity for young people with disabilities to engage with a range of sports and inclusive activities. The festival was well-attended with activities run by local groups including Flyerz Hockey, Disability Sports Coach, Surrey Cricket, Fulham FC Foundation, Live Karma Yoga, and the Baked Bean Charity.

At the end of June, Wandsworth proudly won the ParaGames trophy at the London Youth Games Finals held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. To celebrate this success, Wandsworth’s pan-disability team was recognised at a special award ceremony during the festivities this week.

The winning team comprised 76 athletes from ten local schools, including Ark Bolingbroke, Burntwood, and Linden Lodge, who competed in athletics, basketball, swimming, football, boccia, and indoor rowing.

It is hoped that the festival and success of the pan-disability team will inspire many more young people to take up inclusive sports in Wandsworth.

Three-time Paralympian and triple bronze medallist, Aaron McKibbin, was born with bilateral talipese (club foot) and competes in the Class 8 singles and class 18 doubles Table Tennis. He is representing Team GB in Table Tennis for the fourth consecutive games.

Aaron says he is “proud to say I’ve got a disability” and recognises how important it is for young people to see local people like him go to the Paralympics. He hopes other young people from Wandsworth will be inspired to take up a sport this summer, whether they have a disability or not.

“My message to any young person taking up sport is to enjoy yourself. You might want to be a winner but go out there and find something you like doing, that’s the most important thing.

“I’m the person I am because of Table Tennis. It’s taught me discipline, hard work, problem-solving skills, the ability to interact with athletes and coaches. I’ve met people from around the world and learnt about so many different cultures.

“Sport has changed my life and I believe it has the power to do that for everyone!”

As part of the council’s commitment to inclusivity, more local residents are now eligible for free (off-peak) gym sessions, swimming, and other sports activities at council-run leisure and sports centres under the Access for All scheme.

Find out more about all of the sports and leisure facilities on offer across Wandsworth: www.wandsworth.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/sports-and-leisure-venues/

And find out more about ParalympicsGB: www.paralympics.org.uk/

To apply for the Team Wandsworth 2025 trials, email lyg@enablc.org.