“I didn’t think I was going to be able to do that, but once I gave it a go, it was so fun!”

As the Summer of 2025 draws to a close, Access Sport is proud to reflect on a jam-packed season of inclusive sport!

With schools out for the summer, many disabled and disadvantaged young people lose access to regular inclusive exercise. For many, this leads to a real loss of routine and a growing sense of social isolation.

That is why we set out on a mission this summer to ensure as many young people as possible could connect with others via inclusive physical activities. Our delivery team have worked tirelessly to support grassroots community club sessions, organise multi-sport festivals and and an array of events across the country.

This summer, we have supported:

• 3,671 participants
• 13,100 contact hours
• 630 sessions

London

Our team have been in full swing this summer, organising and delivering multi-sport festivals and events across 12 boroughs in London.

The Peabody Thamesmead Festival brought inclusive sport to the heart of the community, and was delivered in partnership with our funders, Peabody Housing. This inclusive festival provided disabled young people with the opportunity to participate in inclusive activities.

On 15 July, we hosted our first BMX Schools Showcase! Over 45 young people visited Burgess Park BMX track for a high-energy day of cycling, creativity and collaboration. The event gave students the chance to put their BMX and teamwork skills to the test!

The Southwark Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Network (SISPAN) Festival was delivered in partnership with London Sport. The festival welcomed a wide range of Access Sport-supported clubs delivering a range of activities.

We had an amazing time hosting the Flyerz Pan-Disability Hockey Festival which welcomed over 50 brilliant players. The high-energy atmosphere made it an unforgettable day! It was a true celebration of what inclusive sport is all about.

Kevin, Senior Development Manager at Access Sport, said:

“My highlight at all these events is the smiles on the faces of parents and children as they get the chance to participate in sport.”

Manchester

Our team in Manchester have been breaking barriers to participation this summer for young people in alternative provision and pupil referral units, providing opportunities they have never had before!

In June, our team hosted an inclusive multi-sport festival for local pupil referral units in partnership with Greater Manchester Moving. The festival focused on providing sports opportunities to young people who usually miss out on similar opportunities due to the nature of their educational setting. The young participants were able to try out a range of engaging, fun and interactive activities, with BMX coming out as a big hit amongst the group.

Kayla Hardman, a volunteer at the event and a member of the Access Sport Youth Board, said:

“What struck me most was how many of the young participants were trying these sports for the very first time. For many, it was their first time attending an event like this at all.”

Bristol

The team in Bristol spent the summer creating inclusive and engaging sport opportunities for underserved groups in the community, including refugees, asylum seekers and young people with long-term illnesses.

As part of our ongoing partnership with Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and The Grand Appeal, we held two Activity Taster Afternoons. One taster session was delivered at Trinity Academy and the other at Clifton College, both with the opportunity to participate in a range of inclusive sports.

Emma Cunningham, Physiotherapist at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, mentioned:

“The leaders and yourselves were all fabulous with the activities and the children, and we are so grateful for the ease of the organising and the outcome!”

As well as our work with Bristol Royal Hospital, we also launched a new Ignite Summer Series over the holidays! This programme involved six activities, from martial arts to multi-sport deaf sessions, delivered by community clubs and organisations that are part of the Ignite Bristol network. One of the key focuses was to have sessions in different areas of Bristol so that young people can participate in an activity in their local community. Over the six weeks, we engaged over 30 individual disabled participants.

A parent of a participant at the Ignite Summer Series said:

“Really lovely sessions giving the opportunity for my son to learn, exercise, socialise and develop with a much kinder and considerate pace and background."

Bristol’s first tennis-only, inclusive Acez Festival was another fantastic highlight of our work this summer! The occasion brought together our network of local tennis clubs to celebrate the growth of inclusive tennis in the area. Support from Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, Avon Tennis and Bristol University made the day a great success!

In July, we welcomed a fantastic group of young people supported by Borderlands for BMX coaching at the Hillfields Pump Track. The group had a great mix of abilities, and all demonstrated great teamwork and communication skills. Despite getting caught in thunderstorm conditions, the young people showed great resilience and enthusiasm, with many eager to return!

Birmingham

This summer in Birmingham, our team have been proud to support a range of inclusive events.

The Warwickshire Disability Tennis Festival was a standout, which brought 44 people together from six different SEND schools and organisations in Warwickshire. During the festival, they got the opportunity to take part in fun tennis activities, all facilitated by the amazing tennis coaches and volunteers. This event showcased that tennis truly is a sport for everyone!

Sport Birmingham’s Girls of Brum event was another exciting occasion supported by our team, where an impressive 500 girls aged 10-12 came together. Many female-led teams helped make the event the success it was, supporting the girls to try out new activities, build friendships and most importantly, have fun!

We also hosted our first in-person event for coaches and clubs across Birmingham, which welcomed 26 individuals from the sport and health sector. The day offered a powerful workshop from British Blind Sport, an insight into current disability figures, a disabled-led voice in sport from Activity Alliance, and an introduction to our Inclusive Club Network.

Sheffield

In Sheffield, we have made exciting progress in our inclusive cycling delivery, with Hillsborough Pump Track and Parkwood Springs offering a series of inclusive, skill-building sessions that introduced new learning approaches!

In Hillsborough, we delivered nine sessions over the summer months, including Balance Bikes, Learn to Ride and BMX Skills activities. A highlight was the introduction of a storytelling-based approach for neurodiverse young people. By acknowledging that new environments, people and activities can be overwhelming and overstimulating, this strategy fostered a calming environment. Following its success, this inclusive approach will now be incorporated into our Cycling Outreach Programme with schools.

Libby Hawkins, Cycling Delivery Manager for Access Sport, said:

“This method created a welcoming and less stimulating atmosphere, allowing the children to build confidence at their own pace.”

Meanwhile, we continued the activation of Parkwood Springs by expanding our summer sessions, delivering six BMX and mountain bike sessions. The introduction of mountain biking as a new cycling discipline was an exciting development that proved Parkwood Springs is evolving into a dynamic space for young riders to experience and develop their skills!

Looking Ahead to Autumn...

This summer has been a testament to the power of inclusive sport and the work we do here at Access Sport.  This summer, we have supported thousands of disabled and disadvantaged young people to access inclusive community sport. As we move into a new season, we strive to maintain the momentum built over the summer. Thank you to our funders, partners, volunteers and community clubs for making the summer of 2025 unforgettable!

Interested in getting involved with our work?
Use the links below to find out more.

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