Hyndburn kids’
HYNDBURN and Ribble Valley have successfully clinched ten places at the SPAR Lancashire School Games on July 3.
Whalley C of E School and Great Harwood St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary School became district champions after battling it out against 31 other schools in the quad kids athletics event, hosted at Wilsons Playing Fields. Team Ribble Valley saw Whalley C of E School come in on top with a grand total of 1,419 points followed closely in second place by St Leonards C of E School with 1,377. Great Harwood St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary School achieved 1,405 points for team Hyndburn and Benjamin Hargreaves C of E Primary School followed closely behind with 1,313 points.
Pupils from Oakhill College and Accrington Academy are also celebrating after each securing a place at the county finals, following victory in an inclusive football competition.
The event, which was a series of round robin competitions, meant that each team had a chance to play against each other.
Oakhill College and Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School were well matched as they gained one win, one loss and one draw between them however, Accrington Academy were dominant throughout remaining unbeaten and scoring a total of 17 goals.
The first level two duathlon athletics event was held for schools across Hyndburn and Ribble Valley this year.
Representing team Hyndburn at the county finals is St Christopher’s C of E High School and joining them from Ribble Valley is St Augustine’s RC High School.
Pupils took part in a combination of challenges including individual races in the 1600 metre run, 2800-metre cycle and a team relay.
This year, the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley kwik cricket competition was held at Rishton Cricket Club, Hyndburn Academy young leaders took scores and umpired the event. Securing a place at the county finals was Pendle Primary School which will represent team Ribble Valley and Benjamin Hargreaves CE Primary School which will represent team Hyndburn.
Jane Johnson, school games organiser for Ribble Valley, who arranged the event, said: “The SPAR Lancashire School Games is a catalyst for getting youngsters involved with competitive, inclusive, team sports – the past few months is a great example of how we are achieving this across Lancashire.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to each young leader and anyone who volunteered to support Ribble Valley and Hyndburn at the events, this contribution is invaluable, and the games would not be possible without this support.
“Good luck to the eight schools who have made it to the county finals so far, I can’t wait to announce more schools in the near future.”
Organised by Active Lancashire, the SPAR Lancashire School Games comprises a series of inclusive sporting events that provides competitive and participative opportunities for all school children across the county. Children across Lancashire will continue to battle it out in a range of sports to gain a place at the SPAR Lancashire School Games county finals which will be held at Blackpool’s Stanley Park on July 3.
More than 3,500 children from schools across Lancashire’s 15 districts are now battling it out for a place at the county finals in 16 sports including gymnastics, football, athletics, mixed cricket and touch rugby.
New additions to the SPAR Lancashire School Games line-up have also been introduced for 2018, including quick sticks and quad kids.
The SPAR Lancashire School Games is the biggest school games programme of its kind and is implemented by the county’s school games organisers.
This year will mark the twelfth year the county’s school games programme has been spon- sored by James Hall & Company Ltd, the SPAR distributors for the north of England. Over £128m of National Lottery and Government funding has been invested into the school games programme.