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Testimonials
I think it is a fantastic charity. The more people, of all abilities, that you can get involved in sport and health and fitness in a fun and engaging way can only be a good thing. And to have this event at the London Aquatics Centre is just another example of the legacy of London 2012
Tom Daley
There was nothing like this available to me when I was a kid. I wish I’d had the opportunity that these children have got. What Panathlon are doing is brilliant and I’m really happy to be here and try to inspire these kids to keep doing it.
Richard Chiassaro, Team GB wheelchair racer and Panathlon patron
It’s fantastic what Panathlon does for disabled children. When I was first disabled and in a mainstream school, PE was really limited and the teachers didn’t really know what to do with me. If Panathlon had been available to me then, it would have helped me a lot for sure.
Freya Levy, a member of the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team
The atmosphere that Panathlon creates is awesome. These people here are playing to win and it’s nice to see that attitude amongst them. I think it’s important that everybody has the chance to compete and take part at whatever level they want to.
Steve Brown, Team GB wheelchair rugby captain at London 2012
Panathlon is always fun, but it’s not just about playing games. It’s about competing for your school against another school. The kids feel proud about that and want to do well. They love it.
Helen Turner, triple Paralympian wheelchair basketball player and Panathlon patron
I’ve been coming to Panathlon events for years and what never ceases to amaze me is how much enjoyment the athletes get from the competition and how competitive they are. But what is truly amazing is how the event has now grown. With over 200 events a year now, Panathlon really has cemented itself in the sporting calendar.
Danny Crates, Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder in the 800m (T46) and Panathlon patron
The Mayor and I are delighted to be supporting the Panathlon Final, the culmination of a year-long programme of fantastic sporting activity. The Panathlon Foundation do incredible work that benefits thousands of young disabled Londoners and their appearance at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a fitting finale to the year.
Kate Hoey ex -MP Commissioner for Sport
I am inspired by the work of Panathlon and it gives me great joy to see the happiness on the young people’s faces.
Sir Jack Petchey CBE
Panathlon provides an opportunity for disabled children to mix with others and experience competition; which is so important. Every person in the team matters and has a contribution to make to the final points score. Participation in sport sets you up for life, and every child should be encouraged to get involved.
Liz Johnson, Paralympic swimming champion and Panathlon ambassador
It is fantastic to see Panathlon going from strength to strength every year, helping to inspire young people to get involved in sport. Grassroots competitions such as this are crucial if we are to achieve our goal of building a lasting sporting legacy in London from the 2012 Games.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
I am proud that partners such as Panathlon are delivering on our vision of the Olympic & Paralympic Games boosting sports participation.
Lord Seb Coe, double Olympic gold medallist
The Panathlon Challenge is unique and I hope that many more young people have the opportunity to take part in the future.
HRH Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward
The Panathlon Challenge is a great way of encouraging young people into sport. I hope many more young people have the opportunity to compete in the future.
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, multi-Paralympic gold medallist
If there’s anything that demonstrates an Olympic and Paralympic legacy, it’s this. Some of the legacy has got a bit lost along the way, but not here. That’s why I love it so much. There is no other organisation that puts on something this inclusive and this competitive. It’s completely unique and I love it.
Alex Brooker, star of Channel 4’s ‘The Last Leg’ and Panathlon Patron
We at St Catherines give the SEN children lessons on a weekly basis, however we have never been able to put lessons into practice and this is the first time we have been able to compete in a competition. This has been such an experience for the students.
St Catherines, Sheffield
The need for Panathlon in Barking and Dagenham is huge. We always have teams and all the teachers see these activities as a way of engaging their students in competitive physical activity and it’s fantastic because everyone who attends seems to get ideas and give brilliant feedback.
Warren School, Barking & Dagenham
“It means everything for them to be here, It gives them so much more confidence just to be part of a team. They see other children representing the school and our children are so excited to get that chance now too. They often see the other children go off in their football kits, so even the fact they’re wearing the same shirts here and representing the school is marvellous. They definitely wouldn’t get this anywhere else. They’ll be wearing their t-shirts and medals tomorrow in school all day long.”
Wendy Gibbons, Teaching Assistant – Ardleigh Green School
Panathlon is good for us because it caters for those kids who don’t have much opportunity. It means every child gets to take part in a competition outside of school. It’s a privilege to be here and the kids love it.
Kamil Hajdrych, PE coordinator at Stormont House School, Hackney
I don’t think there’s any better way for the kids to develop their confidence. I’ve seen them develop from shy, retiring children to really confident young men and women. It’s life-changing.
Janine Edwards, teaching assistant at Whitmore High School, Harrow
The thing that we like about Panathlon the most, and our staff and parents always comment on, is that Panathlon levels the playing field. That’s the key for them to be able to perform equally against their peers.
Jeremy Lonsdale, Greenacre’s PE Lead
I’m the only pupil on the Panathlon team from my school, so it’s a great opportunity to have fun and meet other people.
Jamie Keat, aged 10, Hammersmith & Fulham
Woodfield School enjoy Panathlons of all descriptions, so we will always do our best to attend, whenever, wherever!
Woodfield School, Herts
The structure was brilliant. The format was for the kids. Usually we are tagged on to some event. Thus we don’t compete that often. This was the opposite. It was for the children and the children responded brilliantly having an event for them.
Lee Puckrin, teacher at Priory Woods School, Middlesbrough
The biggest thing our youngsters get out of it is a lot of confidence and the experience of achieving success as a team. We really welcome the competitive element of this event. Whether they are winning or losing, it is a great experience and teaches them what they need to practise, and the importance of it
Brandon Mullin, head of PE at Beacon Hill Academy
I feel like a real sportsman doing wheelchair slalom. Panathlon is great because it’s only disabled people that can take part and I got near my personal best today.
Reece, Barking & Dagenham
I never thought I’d win the wheelchair slalom. It’s the first time I’ve won anything at Panathlon. I feel great. We play sports at school and practice hard at them.
Ahmet Arnavut, aged 18, Bromley
A lot of these guys have quite challenging behaviour in lessons, but having the Panathlon Football Finals to look forward to helps them enormously. Being here is amazing for them and they absolutely love it. A lot of them find it difficult to maintain relationships with their peers, but it seems like when they’re out on the pitch they have a shared goal and you don’t see the same sort of outbursts.
Richard Brown, Teacher at Cricket Green
What a fantastic event. The atmosphere throughout was one of encouragement and support. All the young people swam incredibly well and loved competing in this type of environment.
Stuart Johnson, The Park School of Blackpool, Team Manager
Before I started Panathlon, I wouldn’t even go away from home on my own, but now I’ll do it easily. Panathlon has made me feel a lot more confident. I think it’s brilliant.
Georgina Hart, aged 15, Barking & Dagenham
I’ve really enjoyed Panathlon. It’s really helped me to be more confident and to get more involved in sport. A few years ago I couldn’t have imagined myself here.
Toyin Fabusiwa, aged 16, Croydon
It’s a good experience. People can’t always get out and do active things but this helps bring people together and make friends.
Mia Paton, aged 15, Islington
We have seen students taking part who normally would not like to venture out of school, it has developed their confidence, self esteem and physical / sporting skills by being a valued team member of Panathlon activities. Our students have gained many social and communication skills through mixing with other schools at the events.
Waverley School Enfield London
Panathlon is about everyone being equal and able to play. So many people get the chance to play. The experience for our kids is really positive. It’s just brilliant.
Lauren Hastings, PE teacher at Marjorie McClure School, Bromley
This is our favourite competition every year. We came two years ago for the first time and it’s just so perfectly pitched for our children that we are trying to involve as many students from our school as possible, so that they can all gain what we feel is invaluable experience.
Hempsted School, Glos
The legacy from last year is that these kids are more confident about getting involved. It gives them an opportunity they didn’t have before. For them, getting into a team and being successful in a competition is something that just wasn’t there for them. Panathlon has given them that opportunity. Now that Panathlon and extra-curricular clubs are so embedded throughout our school, it has really improved the children’s skillset.
Barr View School, Birmingham
I don’t do any sport other than Panathlon. It is my world! I’m leaving school to go to college so this is my last competition and I’m really sad, but I have had a fantastic time over the last few years, especially the years that we won!
Charlotte Whale, aged 19, Ashford, Kent
Panathlon helps beyond the sporting field. The children know they’ve got something to work for, so their behaviour improves and it motivates them in the classroom too, because they know if they do work in class they get to come and take part in events like this.
Cherie Lashmar, PE teacher at Columbus School, Chelmsford
It’s been amazing, it’s brought them really together as a team, they’ve enjoyed working together, it’s a good lesson on sportsmanship and learning that it’s all about taking part. It means a lot for the school to be able to take part in a much bigger event, than just what the school can provide. It’s very special.
Jess Russell, sports coordinator at Paddock School, Wandsworth
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