Royal visitor celebrates sport at Treloar's

Treloar’s was honoured with a royal visitor for an event held at the Holybourne campus to celebrate sport.

HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO, who is the Royal Patron for the Vision Treloar’s project, attended a Private Reception on Wednesday 28 September.

Other guests included Paralympian superstars Peter Norfolk OBE, Ade Adepitan MBE, former Treloar’s students and Paralympians Dan Bentley, David Smith, Ce Turk and Danielle Watts, as well as Damon de Laszlo, Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire and Nigel McNair Scott, High Sheriff of Hampshire.

Treloar’s Chairman of Trustees, Bruce Powell, welcomed guests to the Reception, and said: “Sport has always been important at Treloar’s, but in the run up to London 2012, even more so than ever. The 2012 Paralympic Games will be an opportunity for some of our students to take their sporting endeavours to the highest level and represent their country. For others, the Games will demonstrate that disability need not be an obstacle to taking part in pretty much any sport you care to imagine and will inspire them to expect more and pursue their sporting goals.”

Current and former students, including those representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and former medal recipients, treated those who came along to a Boccia display in the new sports hall, after which HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO spoke with the players about the skilled ball game.

Guests were then led on a tour of the facilities which allow young disabled students at Treloar’s to participate in sporting activities, gain confidence and skills and compete in sporting contests around the world.

Other areas on display were the outdoor chairball court, where students demonstrated the game which was developed at Treloar’s, and guests were also able to view a swimming demonstration and meet former student and Paralympic medallist Danielle Watts.

An exhibition dedicated to the sports represented at Treloar’s was also in place for those who wanted to learn more about activities such as Boccia, wheelchair football and outdoor activities, among others.

After the tour, HRH The Countess of Wessex was presented with a posy of flowers by Treloar School head boy and head girl, Jordan and Alex.