WATCH: Bowling over the competition

Sport is a vital part of a school pupil’s wellbeing, however not every child is physically or mentally capable of taking part.

Thankfully, there are now opportunities for pupils with special needs to take part in their own competitions, in a way that is not only engaging and fun, but competitive as well.

Active Tameside’s Wellness Centre hosted a special ten-pin bowling competition for pupils with special needs last week.

Organised and coordinated by the Tameside School Sports Partnership and Panathlon Challenge, the event gave pupils a chance to experience the state-of-the-art facility which was opened in March 2020 but, due to Covid-19, was barely used due to the nationwide lockdowns.

Speaking about the opportunities provided to children across the UK, Dom Fenton, who coordinates events for Panathlon, told Reporter Sport: “I travel all over the UK running 10-pin bowling events so we’re used to these types of activities, and I think with this it’s a great opportunity to get children to venues they may never have been before and realise that they can achieve because it’s about providing as many opportunities as we can.

“I travel all over the UK running 10-pin bowling events so we’re used to these types of activities, and I think with this it’s a great opportunity to get children to venues they may never have been to before and realise that they can achieve because it’s about providing as many opportunities as we can.

“What you find is that this may be the only chance that child gets to get a medal, whatever we do every single child gets a medal and every child will take home a certificate and you may have children that do a lot of our events, and they’ll have a range of medals and that’s all they’ll talk about. It’s about building memories for them and actually being able to go you can achieve no matter what your disability is or no matter how you achieve at school as what we’re able to do here is bring them out provide that opportunity to go, I can do something.”

Meanwhile, Claire McManus, Headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Dukinfield, said she was thrilled to be a part of the event as it gives her pupils a real sense of achievement in a fun and friendly environment.

“I think it’s fantastic, especially after the year that these children have had it’s just a brilliant morning to see the children out having fun, enjoying themselves and just getting active.

“There was such a range of needs this morning and every single child was active and involved and it was just brilliant to see.”

You can watch our video of the event on our website, www.questmedianetwork.co.uk.