East Shropshire’s primary schools are celebrating after taking area title at the latest Shropshire Homes School Sport Summer Festival.
More than 750 youngsters took part in the day of competition in Shrewsbury, where activities included arrows archery, boccia, cycling, dodgeball, mini tennis, new age kurling, orienteering, rounders, tri-golf, kwik cricket, and sportshall athletics.
A total of 63 different schools took part in the event, part of School Games, which was the culmination of months of competition for students who competed against neighbouring schools to reach the county finals.
Each finalist was representing one of six areas – Shrewsbury, East Shropshire, North Shropshire, South Shropshire, and two areas from Telford & Wrekin.
And when all the points from all the events were added together, it was East Shropshire which took the title, ahead of runners up Shrewsbury, with North Shropshire in third place.
The Telford & Wrekin Langley area came fourth, with South Shropshire and the Telford & Wrekin Burton Borough area finishing joint fifth.
The ‘Spirit of the Games’ award, for the area which best demonstrated the six School Games values – determination, passion, respect, honesty, self-belief and teamwork – went to the Telford & Wrekin Burton Borough area.
The festival began with an opening ceremony featuring entertainment from Shrewsbury High Prep School’s rock band, and Longlands Singing Club from Market Drayton.
There was also a motivational talk from two local ‘sporting champions’; world and paralympic wheelchair racer Deborah Johnson, and Great Britain under 19 handball star Jaymie Kerr.
The event was co-ordinated by active partnership Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and supported by local clubs, organisations, national governing bodies, and area School Games organisers.
The majority of the finals were held at Shrewsbury Sports Village, with others hosted by Sentinel Cricket Club, and The Shrewsbury Club.
Energize active schools officer Zara Morris said: “The event is a shining example of a school sport festival which is run by young people, for young people.
“A total of 111 young leaders helped out with the organisation of the event over the course of the day, and there were also a series of ‘try-it’ activities for the children when they weren’t competing, supported by a range of local organisations.”
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