Inclusive Sports Day brings kids together

The charity organisation DaisyUK hosted a Merseyside Inclusive Sports Tournament (MIST) at Anfield Community Sports Centre. Children of all abilities from across Merseyside took part in various games, ranging from hockey to rock-climbing.

The event saw around 300 staff and students attend, making it the biggest MIST so far. Both able-bodied and disabled children took part to compete for a trophy in the respective events on the day.

A rock-climbing wall was set up outside the Centre and ‘Respect For All’ coach Ryan Moignard, from Liverpool Football Club, trained with the children throughout the day. The kids also took part in a wheelchair race and one said: “It’s really good to have a day where we can see how everyone else gets involved in sports. I really enjoyed the curling competition.”

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service also conducted a fire demonstration in which a chip-pan blaze was simulated. The fire service gave the children a chance to look at the fire engine and its equipment.

Watch Manager of Lowhill Fire station said: “The kids have got a lot from today. These days are very important for both staff and students because now they have more knowledge about the people around them and the inclusive sports they can get involved in.”

Dave Kelly, founder of DaisyUK, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work and preparation, but the kids have had a good time and it has been a good competition.”

A jujitsu demonstration which showed combat skills and training routines also featued in the day's events. Afterwards, the children joined the trainers in activities such as kick-box training and reaction tests.

Face painting, caricature drawing, and massage sessions, as well as stalls from LJMU, were also part of the MIST day.