More than 1,200 pupils representing 67 Worcestershire schools took part in a range of sports as part of a programme to inspire millions of young people to get active.
The Worcestershire Summer School Games, organised by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, took place at Bromsgrove School with a range of competitive and non-competitive school sport and physical activity opportunities.
This year’s Summer School Games saw the contemporary Skateboard and Scooter Festival return after its success last year, offering pupils the opportunity to try new skills and develop coordination and confidence.
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 Pear, the Worcestershire School Games mascot.
Andy Beeston, founding owner of AJB Sports in Education, said: "Everyone at AJB Sports in Education had a fantastic day at the Worcestershire Summer Schools games.
“Thank you to all the hard working staff from Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire who helped to make this day happen. It was great to see so many children and schools taking part in sport and physical activity and enjoying themselves.
“We were super proud to be the sponsor for the event and to be able to give out the value awards to those schools showing the true values of the games. A great day had all round, and we can’t wait for the next one already."
Central to the Worcestershire School Games was the Cultural Village - with activities linked to major sporting events taking place across the world.
Youngsters were able to experience a range of new activities from bhangra dancing to functional fitness and inflatable basketball.
The games are funded by the National Lottery and Sport England.
This year the games were also supported by participant sponsor, AJB Sports in Education, a education company that work with primary schools to offer physical education, health education, staff cpd as well as girls sports and holiday camps.
Stephen Brewster, chief executive officer at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: “We were delighted to see the return of the Worcestershire Summer School Games this summer.
“At Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, we firmly believe in the power of sport and physical activity to bring people together and the Worcestershire School Games did just that.
“We would like to express our gratitude to AJB Sports in Education, our new partner sponsor of the Games.
“With your support, we were able to place the school games values at the heart of the event and recognise teams showcasing true sportsmanship.”
Batchley First School claimed the top spot for the Year 3 and 4 tennis competition with Holy Redeemer Primary in second place.
Year 5 and 6 pupils also went head-to-head in the tennis, and it was Aston Fields Middle School that came out on top, with Bredon Hill Academy as runners up.
Tri Golf was competitive, and after some very close games it was The Vaynor First School who took home the gold, with Pitmaston Primary claiming second place.
At the Year 9 rounders event Woodrush High School came first and Blessed Edwards a close second.
The Year 4 cricket competitions were also intense with “fantastic displays of teamwork and determination” - but it was Matchborough First School awarded the gold, and Lickhill Primary the silver.
KS2 and KS3 Boccia competitions were also filled with “incredible displays of self-belief”, organisers said. The KS2 winners were Lickhill primary, with Birchensale coming in second place. The KS3 winners were Holy Trinity B team, followed by St Johns Middle B and A teams in second and third place.
In the pool, it was Bredon Hill Academy who took home gold in the Year 5 and 6 swimming gala, with Holy Trinity taking home silver.
Finally, this year new values awards were handed out, awarded by sponsor AJB Sports in Education.
These awards were given to primary schools and were given to the teams that best established the key school games values of self-belief, passion, determination, teamwork, honesty and respect. The winners were: Astwoodbank Primary School, Pitcheroak School, Millfields First School, Fairfield First School, Eldersfield Lawn Primary School, and Somers Park Primary School.
For more information around the Worcestershire School Games, along with the full results, please visit: www.activehw.co.uk/worcestershire-school-games
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