Nottingham 2015 make final preparations ahead of CPISRA World Games Opening Ceremony

The Ceremony which is centred around the theme of ‘Aspirations’ ©CPISRA World Games

Nottingham 2015 are making the final preparations ahead of tomorrow's Opening Ceremony of the Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association (CPISRA) World Games.

The Ceremony is centred around the theme of "aspirations" and will welcome the 400 athletes from 13 nations due to compete at the Games.

Their hard work and dedication to their training for the event set to be a focus of the performance, it has been revealed.

Acclaimed actor and director Jamie Beddard, who has cerebral palsy, is the director of the Ceremony, while Nottingham-based arts organisations City Arts and Dance4 have been in charge of the events production.

“City Arts assembled a team of world-class artists to create an opening ceremony that celebrates the achievement, ambition and aspirations of the athletes competing in the World Cerebral Palsy Games,” said Alison Denholm, creative programmes officer at City Arts.

“The creative team have worked with local people to produce a spectacular show combining music, dance and performance.”

Year two students at Seely Primary School will be involved the Ceremony having made drawings around the theme of aspiration, while artists from Cirque Bijou and performers of Unanima Theatre Company will help to develop the story.

Following the entrance of the competitors speeches from World Games event director Alison Talbot and Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture David Trimble will officially declare the Games open.

Performers of Unanima Theatre Company will help to develop the story of the Ceremony ©Anthony Hopwood

Competition is due to begin on Monday (August 10) with football and bowls set to take place.

Talbot believes the competitions show CPISRA’s commitment to helping people with cerebral palsy or a related neurological conditions to access sport.

“For the athletes taking part, the CPISRA World Games will likely be their first opportunity to compete at a national level - it will be quite an experience for these young athletes," she said.

“We feel the theme really captures the essence of this and we can’t wait to see how the hopes and experiences of all those involved are brought to life during the ceremonies.”

Competition is due to be held until August 15 before the Closing Ceremony, which will focus on "transformations" and the athletes' achievements at the Games.