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The University of Birmingham is hosting a national sporting event for veterans from across the UK.
Around 100 former servicemen and women and their families are expected to attend the two-day Community Sports Series event at University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness Centre on 30 and 31 August, which is part of the services provided by the Charity to support veterans.
The event is supported by national sporting bodies, such as Volleyball England and British Wheelchair Basketball and will see veterans travelling from as far as Glasgow and Belfast to participate.
Gemma Kemble-Stephenson is the Community Sports Coordinator for Help for Heroes and is herself an Army veteran who was supported by the Charity. She said: “The Birmingham Community Sports Series event is our biggest yet and we’re grateful to the team here at the University of Birmingham for all their support. The facilities are fantastic and we know it’s going to be a great weekend.
“I personally know the power that sport and physical activity can play in helping people who have experienced physical and mental injuries and trauma. We’ll be running several taster sessions for adaptive sports over the weekend, providing a safe environment for people to try out a range of different sports.
“Participants will be able to connect with like-minded people. People travel from all over the country to take part and we know that when the weekend is over, they go home feeling positive and energised. They might discover a new passion for something and we will connect them to the sporting bodies in their area.”
Sport can play a powerful role in bringing people together and enhancing their quality of life."
University of Birmingham Director of Sport
Since the Sports Series started three years ago, more than 300 people have attended. Most people take part just for the fun, and many find a new passion and go on to join their local clubs. Some have also gone on to complete the Charity's Coaching Academy course.
Participants will be able to try walking football, netball, powerlifting, rowing, basketball, volleyball, boccia, climbing and swimming. The event is free to attend and costs for accommodation and food are covered by the Charity.
300 number of veterans signed up to our Sports Series since 2023.
source: Help for Heroes
University of Birmingham Director of Sport Andy Allford commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Help for Heroes and veterans from across the country to the University of Birmingham. Sport can play a powerful role in bringing people together and enhancing their quality of life – we look forward to helping participants begin their sporting journeys.”
This year the Community Sports Series events are being sponsored by Cotton Traders. The British clothing retailer is the UK’s leading military charity’s longest-standing partner raising almost £2 million since 2011.