CP Sport: a summer of inclusive sport

Richard_Scope

CP Sport: a summer of inclusive sport 🏃⚽🏄

There has been a huge amount happening at CP Sport over the summer, with young people and families getting involved in athletics, climbing, cycling, surfing, football and much more across the country.

Here are some of the highlights.

National Athletics Championships 2026

The CP Sport National Athletics Championships took place in Coventry on 5 and 6 September.

This year:

• 112 athletes registered
• 98 athletes competed
• 27 guest athletes took part
• 12 athletes completed classification during the Championships
• 140 medals were awarded across track and field events

Athletes represented a wide range of impairment groups, including cerebral palsy and other neurological impairments, short stature, intellectual impairments, amputations and spinal cord injuries.

A huge thank you goes to all the athletes, coaches, parents, supporters, officials, volunteers and classifiers who made the weekend possible.

Bring on 2027!

Regional round-up: North

It has been a busy summer for CP Sport's Young Ambassadors across the North.

Climbing in Manchester

The North West Young Ambassadors held their first meeting alongside an inclusive climbing session in Manchester.

The group spent time getting to know each other and talking about what sport and physical activity means to them before heading to the climbing wall.

Every young person had a go, with plenty of encouragement and cheering from the rest of the group.

Cycling at the National Cycling Centre

Young Ambassadors also visited the National Cycling Centre in Manchester to try BMX, track cycling and recumbent cycling.

The recumbent cycles proved particularly popular, while several young people – and some parents – also took to the velodrome on tandem bikes.

Laser Run

Working with the North West Pentathlon Hub and Pentathlon GB, young people had the chance to try Laser Run.

They learned how to use a laser pistol, how the scoring works and had plenty of opportunities to practise their aim.

The group even squeezed in some fencing before the session finished.

Surfing in South Shields

The North East group headed to South Shields for their first meeting – and decided to start with something ambitious: surfing in the North Sea!

After practising on dry land, everyone headed into the water to give it a try.

There were plenty of falls, plenty of determination and lots of progress.

Climbing in Leeds

The Yorkshire and Humber Young Ambassadors met in Leeds for introductions, conversation and climbing.

Before hitting the wall, the group talked about social media, access to sporting opportunities and, inevitably, football rivalries!

Regional round-up: Midlands

Young Ambassadors across the East Midlands, West Midlands and East Anglia have also been enjoying a summer of inclusive sport.

Activities have included:

• inclusive go-karting
• disability swimming
• inclusive movement sessions
• fitness events
• boccia

Young Ambassadors have also been helping to raise awareness of inclusive sporting opportunities and encouraging more disabled young people to get involved.

One regional ambassador received a Boccia UK Young Leaders Award, recognising their commitment and positive contribution to inclusive sport.

Most importantly, the summer has been about creating opportunities, challenging barriers and showing what young people can achieve when sport is welcoming and inclusive.

Regional round-up: South

Adaptive surfing

The South West community enjoyed an Adaptive Surf Day with Adsurf.

Participants had the chance to experience surfing in a supportive environment, whether they were catching their first wave or simply enjoying being part of the day.

It was also a great opportunity to meet other people, build confidence and make new connections.

South East Young Ambassadors

The South East Young Ambassadors recently held their first regional meeting at Hampton Court Palace Golf Club.

The day included team-building activities, a golf taster session and discussions about what being a Young Ambassador could look like.

The group shared their ideas about how they would like to influence CP Sport and the kinds of projects they would like to get involved with in the future.

Interested in football? ⚽

The National CP Football League returned in September.

There are opportunities for children, young people and adults with cerebral palsy, as well as people who have had a stroke or who have a traumatic or acquired brain injury.

Depending on someone's impairment and how they play, opportunities can include:

Cerebral palsy football
Ambulant football opportunities are available for both young people and adults, alongside female football satellite centres and the Youth National CP Football League.

Frame football
For players who use walking aids, including opportunities through the National Frame Football League.

Powerchair football
A fast-paced four-a-side sport played using specially designed powered wheelchairs.

You can find out more through CP Sport's Find Football information and the Wheelchair Football Association.

Celebrating the history of disability sport

CP Sport has also been celebrating the people who helped create today's disability sport movement.

CP Sport Chief Executive Brendan Tonks and trustee and Paralympian Esther Jones PLY attended the launch of Celebrating Disability Sport in Nottinghamshire.

The exhibition explores some of the barriers disabled athletes have faced, the assumptions they have challenged and the opportunities created by generations of disabled sportspeople and campaigners.

The free exhibition is open at Nottingham Central Library until 9 November 2026.

There is also an online CP Sport exhibition and interactive virtual gallery for anyone unable to visit in person.

Have you tried an inclusive sport?

We'd love to hear from people in the Scope Online Community.

Have you or someone in your family tried any of these sports?

What helped make the activity accessible and enjoyable – and what barriers still need to change?

Share your experiences below. 👇