This Wednesday 5th July, Herefordshire witnessed an extraordinary display of energy and sportsmanship as over 1600 children and young people, supported by a team of 100 young leaders came together for the Herefordshire Summer School Games.
Over 1600 students from 60 primary, secondary, and special schools in Herefordshire descended at Halo Leisure Centre for another Herefordshire Summer School Games! Giving young people the opportunity to take part in a range of competitive and non-competitive activities, the day offered everything from cheerleading, touch rugby, and tennis, to a smoothie bike, rowing, and inclusive football. Funded by the National Lottery and Sport England, and delivered by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, in partnership with Stride Active, the Herefordshire Summer School games is the largest event of the Herefordshire School Games programme.
The Games were kicked off in style, with a school parade, each school waving their own personalised flag. A team of brave young leaders from St Mary’s RC High then introduced us to Tim Knapp, Chair of the School Games County Alliance, before interviewing Severn Stars Captain and the day’s sporting champion, Gabby Marshall. We heard of her journey into netball, her greatest achievements playing for her country, and advice for participants at the Herefordshire School Games. Before the Games were announced officially open, the crowd took to their feet for a mass-dance warm up.
Herefordshire Summer School Games Premier Sponsor Hoople Group returned for another year, putting school, teacher, and pupil wellbeing at the forefront of the event. Offering table tennis activities, Hoople Group returned to the School Games Arena, along with a range of deliverers, from a smoothie bike to squash, wild play, and bowls.
Stephen Brewster, Chief Executive Officer at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire said, “We are extremely proud to bring together over 1600 children and young people, young leaders, and 60 schools today for this extraordinary event. The Herefordshire Summer School Games is a fantastic platform to provide positive experiences of physical activity and sport, and an opportunity for children to challenge themselves, learn new skills, embrace values of sportsmanship and experience physical activity in a safe and supportive environment.”
“On behalf of Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, I would like to express my gratitude to our premier sponsor, Hoople Group, for their continued support and involvement with the Herefordshire School Games programme”.
Central to the School Games are six values of respect, honesty, teamwork, self-belief, passion and determination. Recognising pupils best embracing these values, ‘Team of the Festival’ awards were provided at each of the sporting activities.
The multi-skills event saw a wonderful display of the School Games values of honesty and determination, but it was Cradley Primary School who were recognised as the values award winners.
The team from St Thomas Cantilupe Primary were not short of self-belief, claiming the ‘Team of the Festival’ award in the rounders contest.
The noise in the Sportshall Athletics arena was astounding, but it was Weobley Primary School who claimed the ‘Team of the Festival’ accolade for their passion in the event.
After showcasing brilliant teamwork and honesty in the Year 7 Girls Touch Rugby contest, St Mary’s RC High took home the ‘Team of the Festival’ award, with Goodrich CE School claiming the prize in the Year 6 Touch Rugby event.
Over on the tennis courts Shobdon Primary School showcased superb honesty, respect and determination, and were awarded the mini-tennis Team of the Festival values award.
Fully embracing the School Games values, St Francis Xavier’s Primary School took home the ‘Team of the Festival’ award in the Handball contest, whilst Ashperton Primary showed brilliant determination to claim the award in the Cheerleading.
In the tri-golf, we witnessed honesty, determination and self-belief from all teams, but it was ………… who went home with the title of ‘Team of the Festival’.
In the Year 3/4 Football contest, Holmer CE Academy claimed the prize of ‘Team of the Festival’, whilst Kingstone Primary School took the award in the Year 5/6 Football.
After some great skills in the lacrosse event, Trinity Primary School not only took the gold medals, but also the Team of the Festival award.
Finally, Kimbolton St James showcased their teamwork in the dodgeball event, to claim the Values award.
For more information around the Herefordshire School Games, along with the full results, please visit: https://www.activehw.co.uk/herefordshire-school-games or contact Vicky Lafflin on v.laflin@worc.ac.uk or call 07826993415.
