Sutton Coldfield Community Games encourages  the whole community to try new sport, get active, make use of the beautiful Sutton Park, spend more time with friends and families and promote local clubs. 

Dennis Kennedy is the founder of Sutton Coldfield Community Games and he was honoured by the Royal Town`s Mayor, Councillor Derrick Griffin, at the Town Hall last year with the Community Event of the Year Award. 

Dennis said "I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award.  Huge thanks to all the sports clubs, our ambassadors and, most importantly, everyone who comes to the Games."   

The 2019 event between 13 - 14th July will be the seventh Sutton Coldfield Community  Games. 

The first event was held during the build up to the 2012 Olympics in London. In 2014 a Glasgow Commonwealth themed event saw 7,000 local people try their hand at over 60 sports and activities provided by over 50 sports clubs, groups, associations and community partners absolutely free of charge. 

"In 2015 and onwards" explained Dennis "the formula was refined and repeated.  An estimated 10,000 people came each year to enjoy themselves and try the incredible array of sports and activities on offer.  Thanks to our ambassadors we have even been able to run masterclass sessions with Olympic and Paralympic athletes".   

Now Dennis Kennedy and his hard-working team have announced the first ever Accessible Community Games on Friday 26th April at Sutton Coldfield College. 

"The event is the result of a new partnership" said Dennis "between our team and Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council." 

The Accessible Community Games will enable people with physical and learning difficulties to try new sporting opportunities. 

"Participants will be able to try many different sports including wheelchair racing" said Dennis "and basketball, archery, a climbing wall, problem solving, dance, martial arts, cycling and hockey".   

Last year Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, came to the Games. 

"Andy asked to visit" said Dennis "after learning of the Games from a colleague to see for himself how the event worked to inspire physical activity in our community.  With one eye on the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham and leaving a lasting legacy he toured the Games and met with many of our community providers".   

The Sutton Coldfield Community Games are made possible by a core team of volunteer organisations and several hundred volunteer event providers.  "It is funded by a donation from the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust" said Dennis Kennedy "and the generous sponsorship of 6 local organisations.  Their generosity" said Dennis "means we can continue to provide the weekend for free and for that we thank them".  Those that have confirmed to date are Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, The  Kickstart Academy, Sutton Spas and Star Cars and Coaches.     

The Games are also supported by a number of other organisations.  "Their contribution" explained Dennis "is to help make the Sutton Games better, more inclusive, more accessible and more relevant to people within our home town of Sutton Coldfield". 

Those organisations are the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Children`s Hospital, Sport Birmingham, Midland Mencap, Central Independent Newspapers and Royal Sutton News.   

"In  2019 we hope to have an even richer variety of activities for you to try" enthused Dennis "so please do put the 13th and 14th July in your diaries and come down to Wyndley to join in the fun".   

For more information see www.suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk/2018/council-pledge-support-to-first-ever-accessible-community-games/