Member's firsthand experience of a Festival

HASSRA Festivals – a Fantastic Experience.

In September 2025, I attended my first HASSRA Festival. Previously, I had felt too anxious to go, as I wasn’t sure whether the Festivals were only aimed at competition‑­level athletes or quiz stars within the HASSRA community.

Having already attended events such as Sports Day and the London Clubs AGM, I really wanted to push through my anxiety and give a Festival a go.

I completed an Expression of Interest for Boccia, a beginner workshop delivered on behalf of HASSRA by The Activity Alliance, which promotes awareness and inclusivity in sport. I was thrilled to be selected as one of the participants. Boccia is a Paralympic sport, first introduced in 1984, and it has similarities to Pétanque or Bowls — sports I enjoy at Sports Days — which made the experience feel familiar and reassuring.

The Festival was held on the campus at Warwick University. From the moment I arrived, HASSRA volunteers and colleagues were extremely welcoming and provided clear information, helping me feel comfortable and know what to expect.

The Boccia workshop took place in the Sports and Wellness Hub’s multipurpose room and was facilitated by Alex and Jamie, who were absolutely brilliant — humorous, inclusive, and encouraging throughout. They were supported by Sarah  as our HASSRA representative. As we were all a little nervous trying something new, their friendly approach really helped to put everyone at ease.

Boccia is a seated sport, and we took part in pairs and groups, gradually building up to a friendly competition. There was a wonderful sense of camaraderie from the outset, with everyone encouraging and supporting one another.

It was a fantastic experience, and I would genuinely recommend that everyone pushes past their fears and gives a HASSRA Festival a go. You may surprise yourself and create warm, fun memories to look back on. I absolutely loved the experience.

HASSRA Festivals & Sports Events

By Imogen 
HASSRA London