One hundred disabled competitors from 12 different West London Schools took part today in the second West London qualifier. Congratulations must go to Hillingdon & Richmond for making it through to the Champions Final, coming first and second respectively, with Ealing & Hounslow through to the Plate Final, coming 3rd & 4th. (full results see here)

Outstanding Team Performances – The closest competition today was the Boccia Competition. Hounslow, Richmond & Hillingdon all tied with 2 wins each. The medals were separated via countback looking at points scored throughout the games: Hounslow took the Bronze with 8 points, Hillingdon the silver with 9 points and Richmond the gold with 14 points. In Richmond’s result, this included a 5-0 end in one of their games with Hillingdon. Impressive!

Hillingdon won the Polybat outright with 3 victories and also without dropping a set. The closest they got to loosing a game was against Jose from Hounslow; however, Owen from Hillingdon found the edge to give Hillingdon another straight sets victory.

In the New Age Kurling, Ealing & Hillingdon both won 2 of their games. Hillingdon took the Gold due to some heavy scoring throughout their games, including 4 points in one of their games; the highest scoring match of the day.

Ealing competed well in the field athletics, winning the Powerchair Slalom, Manual Wheelchair Race and the Lower Limb Mobility restriction race. They also secured silver in the Combination Race; a complete team performance.

The schools involved today were –

Ealing = St Anns, Castlebar, Mandeville, Springhallow & John Chilton
Hillingdon = Meadow High, Pield Heath & Coteford
Hounslow  = Hounslow Heath, Oaklands & Lindon Bennett
Richmond  = Strathmore

Thanks to the Young Leaders from Featherstone High School, who did a tremendous job.
Hounslow Heath Junior School Team Members said
“My first sports trip to Panathlon and I won a medal in the Long Jump.”
“I really enjoyed the Bean Bag and I won a medal!!”
“I enjoyed the Polybat and playing against other schools. I also did the running in the wheelchair race. The cheering made me go faster.”
“I just ran really fast. My teachers were surprised that I could run that fast.”

St Ann’s School Pupils said
“Playing against other schools was a good experience. I enjoyed Boccia the best.”
“It’s been fun, being here. I’ve had a great day.”