The event also marked the college's acceptance in to the London 2012 Get Set Network of schools and colleges embracing the Games and the Values. The college joins only a handful of others yet to be accepted.

Around 160 young people aged 14-25 took up the College's invitation and attended the two day inclusive sports festival. Participants with learning disabilities from 12 schools, colleges and community groups made the trip to Paignton, where South Devon College Students led activities at the Vantage Point site and local partner facilities.

South Devon College brought together existing smaller programmes and forged new partnerships to create the 'Special Inspiration Games' as an enjoyable learning experience for everyone. Also enlisting the help of sporting legends and football managers Graham Taylor OBE and Lawrie McMenemy MBE, to inspire the next generation of Olympic, Paralymic and Special Olympic hopefuls.

The Special Inspiration Games combined invaluable volunteering experience for college students (on both Sports and Uniformed Public Services courses) with charity fundraising at a celebrity sports dinner, and teaming up with Special Olympics Great Britain to increase sporting provision and opportunities for young people with learning disabilities in the South West.

McMenemy, former FA Cup winning manager of Southampton FC and now Chairman of Special Olympics GB, said: "It's been marvellous to come here and help support these events, and to see so many lads and lasses taking part and enjoying themselves. Because of what the college is doing here, we are going to be able to develop the Special Olympics in Devon."

The Games began on Monday 1st February with a day of Unified Football led by South Devon College's Football Academy and sports students. Members of the College's Women's Football Academy were so inspired to see young girls participating and enjoying the football that they have pledged to establish and support a new 'Girls Special Football Team' – with training and competition to commence almost immediately. The second day of saw staff and students lead a range of sports recognised by the Special Olympics Movement, from Boccia to Basketball.

Ex-England boss Taylor, who spent more than an hour at the Games on Monday, was particularly impressed. He said:  "Whether we are disabled or not, we all need people to prepare sessions for us. We need people to be there to coach and teach. All of these young people who have looked after the children here also need to be complimented. It's been very impressive."

FESCO and organiser Lynn Squire said: “Students have been involved in the planning and running (of the Special Inspiration Games) right since the start. Young people were part of the process and had a voice within it. (Our students) have learned a lot and are now keen to do it again.”

Developing inclusive opportunities for young people and adults is a passion at South Devon College, which already runs disability sports programmes such as wheelchair football in partnership with Devon FA. In engaging with London 2012 and Special Olympics GB they saw an opportunity to help young people in their community to access sport, social activity and pathways to developing themselves.

College tutor Alan Walker, the co-ordinator of the Games, said: “We are proud that our event has been officially approved by Special Olympics GB. It’s the first of its kind in the area and we are hoping that it will lead to the development of the Special Olympics movement in South Devon. The College believes in giving young people opportunities and inspiring them to learn. We want to give these particular young people the opportunity to take part in something unique and inspire them to get involved in sport.”

Reflecting on the success of the Games, Squire said: “Every outcome is a good one. This is just the start of something that's going to get bigger and better. That's what South Devon College does; we don't sit back and say 'that was great', we think 'what can we do to make it excellent?'”

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