Essex youngsters inspired by GB Paralympian at Basildon Sports Village

Activities – youngsters took part in fencing, athletics, archery, and many other events (Image: Active Essex)

British wheelchair basketballer Siobhan Fitzpatrick attended The Invincible Games on Thursday, with 350 young people taking part from 19 SEND schools across Essex.

Ceremony – participants enjoy an opening ceremony round the athletics track (Image: Active Essex)

Young people were introduced to zone basketball, football, boccia, new age kurling, handball, cricket, athletics and archery as part of Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s Path to Paris programme.

Inspirational – Siobhan Fitzpatrick was on-hand to watch young people take part in Thursday's event (Image: Active Essex)

The event kicked off with an opening ceremony, where Miss Fitzpatrick shared an inspiring speech on the theme of “Overcoming Obstacles”.

Ready – everyone gets ready at the start of the day (Image: Active Essex)

Led in partnership with Multi Schools Council and Active Essex, the event provided an opportunity for SEND young people to take part in sports and physical activity, giving them autonomy to design their own multi-sport games and get active.

Reward – the children are congratulated on their efforts (Image: Active Essex)

Jen Rouse, Managing Director, British Olympic Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the Get Set programme: for over a decade now it has been helping young people to develop important life skills and maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

Silverware – youngsters were given medals at the end of the day (Image: Active Essex)

“With Paris 2024 just around the corner, we have a really important role to play in using the power of the Olympic Games to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation, and our aim for Path to Paris is that as many young people as possible are inspired to get moving thanks to the stories of our extraordinary athletes.”