Blog: Simmies Shine Supporting Panathlon Challenge

Following the recent Panathlon Challenge West Championships, which was hosted at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, undergraduate Physical and Sport Education student Gregg Stokes gave the lowdown on the day. I feel many would agree that the Physical and Sport Education programme at St Mary’s has provided many opportunities to support the continuing professional development of students, both in the classroom and through a range of external links that have been made available. These experiences that myself and others have gained will help pave the way for careers in either teaching or coaching. As we have moved through the degree programme the realisation that these experiences will help separate us St Mary’s students apart from others has been even more evident by those involved. Most recently a group of second year students including myself were rewarded for our hard work by being selected to officiate the Panathlon Challenge West Championships and Plate competition at St Mary’s University. Our team of Physical and Sport Education students were Alicia Russell, Lucie Whelan, Hester Benham, Pippa Wingate, Chris O’Connor, Billy Galvin, Harry Rance, Callum Quick, Jack Gooding, Millie Alexander, Megan Dallimore, Leona Francis, Carmen Cheng, Lizzy Berkeley, Bobbie Williams, Cerys Sanders, Samantha-Jo Sherwood, Emmo Allen, Matt Latham, Nicola Black, Yasmin Molloy as well as myself. For many of us PSE students, this was a great opportunity to put into practice what we had learnt from our recent placements and the theory taught as part of our modules. The Panathlon Challenge is an annual event, organised by the Panathlon Foundation who provide yearly multi-sports competitions for more than 3,000 disabled children from around London. To gain a greater understanding of the event, we were invited along to a training day at St Mary’s on Tuesday 25th February. The day began with an introduction to the Panathlon Challenge where we were informed that we would be working with young people aged between 5 and 19 years old. All of these children would have severe learning difficulties (SLD), Physical Impairments (PI), and some Hearing (HI) and Visual Impairments (VI). The training was very beneficial in giving us an insight into what to expect on the day and the different strategies we could implement to support the competitors. With this in mind we were given the chance to participate in all the events that we would then officiate on the day. We were able to gain a good understanding of the rules and how the event would run. These included boccia, new age kurling, table cricket, polybat and field athletics. It was clearly evident from everyone’s reaction how enjoyable it was to be able to work and compete with our peers in new sporting activities that many of us had never participated in before. The interaction with our peers in both a practical and classroom settings has been one of my favorite things about the PSE course. It has helped to produce a really close-knit group of students and staff members, which has created a really effective learning environment. The final event was held at St Mary’s on 4th March. The early 8.30am start was a little struggle to get out of bed but it was well worth it once we arrived and got in the swing of things. It was brilliant to see when I arrived that so many students were already in and working together to fly through the set up of the day. There was a sense of excitement but many like myself didn’t know totally what to expect. I could really tell when hearing students talking to the organisers how privileged were to be involved in such a big event for those young people that maybe don’t always get the same opportunities as others. As the competitors started to arrive everyone made every effort to welcome them and get them involved in practicing the different events. It was a real eye opener to us all how much enthusiasm and energy these young people had and how important the event was to them. This lifted us all even more and it was great to see so many high fives and happy faces. The events began and Chris O’Connor and myself were in charge of running one of the table cricket events. All of the PSE students were put into small groups to run the different events. It was really enjoyable to interact and get to know all of the competitors as well as see them progress throughout the day. The atmosphere of the whole event was fantastic and everyone was keen to share the different experiences with each other throughout the day. Many of us were involved in the medal presentations of each event and it was brilliant to see the happiness it brought the competitors. The day concluded with a range of different team relay races, in which we all helped to guide the competitors by running with them. Unfortunately this resulted in many of us, including myself, being well and truly out paced, which was more than amusing for those watching. The day ended with us all being involved in the final placing presentation in which we helped to present certificates and medals. This really was a fantastic way to finish a great day for all us by having the pleasure to see the excitement and joy on the competitor’s faces when we presented to them. I feel the overall day was a real pleasure to be involved in and an experience that I will take a lot away from, as will all of the other PSE students. I feel all of the St Mary’s PSE students really do deserve massive congratulations, on a really great team effort and representing the university so professionally. It was a privilege to work within such a group and I am sure the PSE academic staff will be proud of the qualities shown by their students.