Behind the scenes at the Parasport Festival

'Great from start to finish'

Here's a behind-the-scenes look back at Orkney's 2024 Parasport Festival, organised by our Sports and Leisure team.

We've had lots of lovely feedback from parents, carers, teachers, helpers and support workers who came along:

‘The whole day was superb, I couldn't single out one particular thing.’

‘The climbing wall was fantastic for challenging the young people to go out of their comfort zone, and the climbing team were so supportive, knowledgeable and helpful, but the swimming pool and kayaking time was just amazing. The happy voices and smiles on their faces was just the best.’

‘Great from start to finish, love seeing the pupils so engaged, mixing with other pupils and trying new activities that were so well supported by local sports clubs.’

‘It was a lovely inclusive day, organisers and volunteers should be highly commended!’

‘Second year my son attended, great new sports to try and could see some of the teachers were starting to think about how to support kids with ASN to join the club (special mention to the athletics teacher who seemed keen to develop this). Was great to try the kayaking… he had a great time in all the sports and was one tired happy boy at the end of the day.’

‘It was such a great day. The picky team were great and all the support and help from volunteers, coaches and trainers was just so awesome. Well done everyone, I can’t wait to attend with our children next year!’

‘We had a brilliant day, staff & helpers were kind patient & very supportive’

This was the third year in a row for the Festival - and this year for the first time we had Sports Leaders from Stromness Acadmey there helping out as part of their Level 6 Sports Leaders award - Thorfinn Sinclair, Max Linklater, Ewan Foubister, Bradley Cormack, Katie Tullock, Libby Smith and Emily Fisher.
The festival offers event children with physical disability, vision impairment, hearing loss or Down Syndrome a huge range of sports and fun activities to try out.

It's organised by our Sports and Leisure team, supported by Scottish Disability Sport, the Pickaquoy Centre, the Inclusive Orkney charity, the Council's Sports and Leisure team, and local sporting club heroes.

Read more about the 2024 festival, here: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=8943