The Super 1s residential at the Avon Tyrell Activity Centre in the New Forest returned on the last week of July. For the first time, the Lord Taverners held separate girls’ and boys’ residentials at Avon Tyrrell.
Rob Eynon and Poppy Davies both attended the residential. The boys’ residential ran from Monday to Wednesday, and the girls arrived on Wednesday and finished on Friday.
Throughout the week, 42 young people from eight Super 1s projects had the opportunity to participate in a variety ofoutdoor activities such as obstacle courses, archery, climbing, kayaking, and canoeing, where they were able to interact with participants from all over the country.
The Super 1s hubs involved in this year’s residentials travelled from Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
The 42 participants were divided into two groups. They spent two nights each at the facility, where they learnt life skills and got the opportunity to experience independence away from home, which many had never done before.
Kayleigh, a Super 1’s participant, said “This is my first residential away from home and it’s been nice to get away for a few days”
“For me, Super 1s is a place where I can go and I won’t be judged, and it shows that I’m just as good as anybody else”
Rob Eynon, Disability Cricket Development Officer, attended both residentials and said “High Ropes activity was amazing, to see the kids grow in confidence, the girls in particular, bonded with the girls from the other counties (Gloucester, Surrey and Somerset) and were supportive of each other.”
“It was wonderful to see our participants building relationships and become closer as a group.”
Poppy Davies, Women and Girls’ Community Coach, said “Some of the girls were a little bit apprehensive to do some of the activities such as climbing but by the last day they were absolutely smashing it reaching the highest point possible.”
The Warwickshire Cricket Foundation wants to thank the Lord Taverners for hosting and offering an excellent opportunity for Super 1 participants in Warwickshire and Birmingham. Click here to watch a short video on the girls’ experiences at the residential.