Organised by WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport, the Inter Spinal Unit Games are the flagship sports event for people with recent spinal cord injuries to take part and compete in a range of wheelchair sports.

Held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, the event brings together patients from 12 spinal unit centres around the United Kingdom and Ireland for a festival of wheelchair sport.

On her first visit to the Games, the 19-year-old Jones provided advice to new spinal injury patients about getting to grips with the sport.

“It’s mainly practical advice, people who are newly injured and so they’ve not transferred from a normal chair to a racing chair,” said the London 2012 Paralympian. 

“There are simple things that you don’t really realise can make a massive difference.”

A total of 80 athletes attended this year's edition of the Games, competing across 12 sports and taking part in have-a-go sessions.  

 “It’s been really good, it’s my first time at the Spinal Unit Games, I’ve been to another couple of events, taster days and things and they’ve been really good,” said Jones, third in the 1500 metres at Glasgow 2014. 

“But it’s been completely different to what I expected, everyone has been really interested, really want to try out different sports and are keen to give everything a go."

Event organiser and WheelPower’s sport development officer, Stewart Jeeves, added: "Throughout the week all participants have fully embraced their opportunity to have a go at sport

“The Games help patients with spinal cord injuries to discover what they can achieve when they engage in sport and physical activity.

“Many return home full of confidence and desire to continue playing the sport they love in their local area.”

Laura Mallinson, 16, from the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow, was the youngest participant at the Games.

“It’s really great, I like it here,” she said.

“There’s so many great opportunities to discover skills you didn’t know you had.

“I’ve tried table tennis, fencing, powerlifting, shooting, nine ball pool and swimming.”

The Games came to a close with a Championship dinner, which celebrated a fantastic year for British wheelchair sport.

Participants at the dinner came together alongside coaches, volunteers, event staff, family and friends to recognise the success and achievements of all involved. 

As well as Jones' bronze medal in the women's T54 1500m race, another British wheelchair racing success story at Glasgow 2014 was David Weir's triumph in the equivalent men's event. 


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