News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

Olympic swimming silver medallist Sharron Davies has shown her support for the upcoming Try Games with a visit to Three Ways School in Bath. Sharon’s visit helped to encourage some of the students with their challenges for the first inclusive Try Games, which takes place on 3 June.

Students with special needs and disabilities from Three Ways School are challenging themselves to try a new activity and inspire others to join them at the Try Games. Among the students taking part is Jaden, aged 10, who is taking on a real Tri challenge – to swim a width (10m), cycle five miles and walk two miles. Sharron enjoyed listening to his enthusiastic account of his challenge and inspired him why giving him one of her swimming hats.

“Jaden was so taken with Sharron and the swimming hat that he wore it all evening, despite complaining of a very warm head,” said Jaden’s mum, Lyn. “Jaden actually swam 10 metres last night, with minimum stops, which is a major achievement, of which he is rightly very proud! We were so proud, I cried!”

Sharron also heard about Mia who has been practicing her cycling on an adapted bike. Mia is a bubbly girl who loves cycling and will be taking on a cycling challenge to raise money for her school. She will be aiming to travel around the Odd Down cycling circuit at the Try Games as many times as possible. As Mia needs help to co-ordinate her movements and stay safe, her mum Rachel will be travelling alongside her on a scooter.

“The Try Games is a great way of enabling children and young people, both able and less physically able, to try out new sporting activities, to have fun and to raise money for a special school,” said Sharron

“Integration is key to promoting sport to able and less able children and adults. The level of integration was fabulous at the 2018 Commonwealth Games I have just attended and it is great to see grass roots initiatives like this embracing the same ethos. Activities at the Try Games will help to promote openness, knowledge of disabilities, and education amongst children in particular.

“Physical Health helps to promote quality of life. Good physical health is a challenge for all children and may be even more important for those with disabilities. Events like the Try Games can help all children find their sporting passion and encourage healthy and active lifestyle choices.”

The Try Games take place on Sunday 3 June 2018, at Odd Down Sports Ground. This will be the first totally inclusive Try games in Bath while also raising funds in aid of Three Ways Special School. Visitors of all abilities can try a wide variety of inclusive sports, including football, martial arts, Crossfit, cycling, athletics and wheelchair basketball, as well as taking part in a fun run and witnessing an attempt at running on custard!

Three Ways School is a Special Needs Academy in Bath offering a unique, stimulating learning environment to pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities aged from 3 to 19. All the fundraising from the Try Games will go towards sports clubs and equipment for the school.

To sign up to enter as a family, team or individual please visit the website www.trygames.co.uk.