THE Worcestershire Summer School Games Festival returned at Bromsgrove School last week for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 1,200 pupils, representing 47 Worcestershire schools, descended on Bromsgrove School to participate in a range of competitive and non-competitive school sports and physical activities.
The programme aims to inspire millions of children and young people to take part in school competition, as well as participation events across the country and is funded by the National Lottery, Sport England, organised by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
South Bromsgrove High School kicked off the opening ceremony in style with their mass dance warm up, before Worcestershire born, double Paralympic silver medallist, Rebecca Redfern, took to the stage to answer questions from young participants and declare the Games open.
This year’s Summer School Games saw the inaugural Skateboard and Scooter Festival, offering pupils the opportunity to try new skills.
The Open Age Dance Festival also returned, showcasing the hard work of pupils in their PE and extra-curricular clubs – all cheered on by Percy the Worcestershire School Games Mascot.
In addition, to commemorate Birmingham 2022, this year’s festival saw an added focus on the Commonwealth Games at the Cultural Village.
Children and young people participating in and supporting the Games were provided with an opportunity to experience a range of new activities from pedalling to make a smoothie, to rugby and inflatable basketball.
The activities were assigned to countries and special Commonwealth Games prizes were provided.
Stephen Brewster, Chief Executive Officer at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “We were delighted to see the return of the Worcestershire Summer School Games.
“In a year where the Commonwealth Games are on our doorstep, it was brilliant to see so many children and young people engaging in the variety of events, from cricket to skateboarding, learning new skills and increasing their confidence.”
The Year 3/4 Tri Golf competition was fiercely contested with St Barnabas Primary team one claiming the winning prize and The Coppice Primary as runners up.
In the Year 3/4 Tennis event, Batchley First School claimed top spot, with Holy Redeemer Primary School taking second place.
The Year 5/6 pupils also went head to head in the tennis with Walkwood Middle School taking home the gold with Holy Redeemer finishing as runners up.
In the Year 4 Dynamos Cricket contest, it was St Peters Primary who claimed the title with St Andrews, representing South Worcestershire, finishing second.
And the Year 5/6 Swimming Gala saw a wonderful display of the School Games values of passion and self-belief with Wyre Forest’s Holy Trinity awarded the title.
There was no shortage of determination at the Year 9 Rounders event, with Prince Henry’s High School finishing first, and Christopher Whitehead Language College a close second.
Embracing the value of teamwork, the KS2 Boccia event saw North Worcestershire’s St John’s Primary take the gold, with Holy Redeemer finishing in the silver medal position.
Lastly, in the KS3 Boccia contest, it was Birchensale Middle School who claimed top spot with Walkwood Middle School close behind.
For more information about the Worcestershire School Games, along with the full results, visit: www.activehw.co.uk/worcestershire-school-games or contact Sarah Millward at: [email protected] or call: 07766 991855
