Wakefield S Heptathlon Games

Wakefield’s Heptathlon Games

The Olympic Games 2012 is an ideal opportunity to inspire people to take part in more physical activity. This project delivered 7 sporting events and challenges covering a variety of physical activities between May and October 2012. The project targeted people aged 50+ or people with a physical disability and/or sensory impairment. The activities were specifically designed to target both the active, as well as the frailer more sedentary individual. All activities were suitable and accessible for people with and without a physical disability. The project aimed to not only get people more physically active but increase the range and number of activities people took part in.

In total 1034 people participated in one or more of the events/challenges, many of whom would have never considered or felt able to take part in physical activity if this project had not been provided. However by using the power of the Olympics, suitable non patronising adaptations, incentives and encouragement, people have been able to challenge themselves to take part in physical activity and achieve goals they can be proud of.

The events were as follows:

1. Cycle Relay Race – This event was designed to highlight that cycling can be for everyone whatever age or ability. The event was held at Wakefield’s Thornes Park Stadium on May 10th 2012. Adapted bikes are speciality cycles that enables people of all ages, ability and differing needs, to engage in a quality cycling activity. The event offered the opportunity for people to test ride different cycles, the relay added for an element of fun.  Cycles on offer were:  tricycles  quads  both foot and hand propelled cycles  companion cycles to allow two people to ride together  wheelchair adapted bikes and tandems

48 people took part throughout the day. Members from a local Fibromyalgia support group attended the event and found it to be an excellent method for them to get exercise without being in pain, socialise and have fun at the same time

2. 1 Mile Swim Challenge – This challenge was to encourage people to swim the distance of one mile or more within the month of June. The mile could be completed in one attempt or could be accumulated over a series of swims within the same month at any Wakefield Council swimming pools. Those who took part in the challenge received swimming at a reduced cost of £2.00 and on completion of the mile their name was entered into a prize draw to win a 3 month aspire membership. Over 180 participants enrolled onto the challenge with over 218 miles being swam. This equates to the 50+ residents of Wakefield swimming the English Channel 10 times. 3. The Great North Row – This challenge aimed to get the Wakefield district to collectively row the distance from Wakefield to London, a distance of 300000 meters using a concept 2 indoor rowing machine. The challenge was held for the duration of the Heptathlon Games from 1st May to 3rd October 2012. To enable everyone to access this challenge and to target as many people as possible the rowing machine was transported around the district to care homes, independent living schemes, businesses, public spaces, community groups, churches etc. To make it accessible for those with limited mobility/poor movement a chair was placed over the low sliding seat to allow upper body movement only. To prevent overuse of the machine a cap of 2012 meters was put in place but no minimum distance was declared to encourage people to have a taster.

After five months of transporting the rowing machine across the district to over 45 different venues, a total of 654 people with an average age of 68yrs rowed a distance of 445,362 meters which is equivalent of rowing from Wakefield to London and halfway back again or Wakefield to France. The challenge attracted a range of abilities and ages, from amputees to people with sight impairments to physically fit 50 year olds to frail 100 years old.

4. 5-A-Side Football Tournament - This event was to target the more able older person. Advertisements targeted workplaces, sport centres, and local football orientated venues. The tournaments were to take place on each Friday evening 6 – 8pm throughout July.

Unfortunately due to poor weather and lack of uptake the tournament had to be cancelled.

5. Golf Tournament - The aim of the tournament was to try and get people to dust off there old clubs and get back into the swing of golf. The event was arranged to take a four ball beta ball format, this is when two, two-man teams playing against each other, carding the lower score of each twosome, each player playing his own ball.

Again, due to poor weather the tournament had to be cancelled.

6. 10K Walk - The walk took place within the picturesque grounds of Nostell Priory on 10th August. The event provided an ideal opportunity for people to raise money for a local charity or challenge themselves in the beautiful country side. To complete the full 10 kilometre walk two laps of the Nostell Priory parkland had to be completed, if this was too far then there was an option to walk five kilometres to allow people to still feel part of the day. The event fell on a beautiful summer’s day attracting over 70 people all wanting to take part. The feedback from the day was again very positive with many commenting that this event should be held on a yearly basis

7. Golden Age Triathlon - This event was the final of the series. It was aimed at the less active or frailer individuals. Each activity was target driven, relying on skill and subtlety, rather than speed, size or strength. This made the event equally suited to those with or without disability. The event took place on the 3rd October in conjunction with the celebrations of national older people’s day. The event followed the structure as follows: In teams of three each player took part in two team activities of Boccia and New Age Kurling and an individual activity of skittles, a target throw or quoits.

The day was a huge success with 20 teams competing to be crowned Wakefield’s Golden Age Triathlon champions 2012. Teams arrived sporting their own colours and specially designed t-shirts. A key part of the day was created by the arrival of Karen Townsend. Karen was one of the inspirational people who had been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through Wakefield. Karen generously offered her time to come and speak with people at the event and bring her Olympic Torch

As the planned events were derivatives of Olympic events it was decided that the project should nominate itself for the ‘Inspire Programme’.

The Wakefield’s Heptathlon Games was recognised as part of the London 2012 Inspire programme and received the licence to you use the ‘Inspire Mark’ on publicity material (see mark opposite). The Inspire programme is ran by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympics Games and recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired directly by the 2012 games. The project was one of 2700 projects that received this prestigious mark. By being part of the inspire programme it gave the Wakefield Heptathlon games a direct link to the 2012 games and allowed the opportunity for people of Wakefield to be part of London 2012 Games.