County class shown by Hyndburn pupils
PUPILS from Hyndburn are celebrating after securing two places at the largest youth sporting event in Lancashire.
Each school battled it out against other Hyndburn pupils in girls’ football and high five netball and will now represent the district at the SPAR Lancashire School Games county finals where they will compete against teams from 14 other Lancashire districts in a bid to be crowned county champions.
Students from Peel Park Primary School became winners when they scored gold in the girls’ football tournament after competing in a series of round robin events hosted at Accrington Academy.
Peel Park entered two teams, Peel Park A and B, who competed against Sacred Hart RC Primary School and St Mary’s Oswaldtwistle.
Peel Park A and B won the first round at the semifinals which saw them battle against each other at the finals where team B took the title as Hyndburn district champions.
Young leaders from Accrington Academy helped to organise the event, took on refereeing duties and scored the penalties.
With a record turnout, 20 teams took part in the Hyndburn high five net- ball competition. Teams were split into four groups of five and they all played against each other which determined the semifinals.
In an extremely fast paced match, St Mary’s Oswaldtwistle, last year’s winners, and Mount Pleasant were victorious in each of the qualifying games leading on to a tense final. Mount Pleasant knocked last year’s winners off the top spot and will now join team Hyndburn at the county finals.
Young leaders from St Christopher’s High School officiated the matches, keeping the tournaments running smoothly throughout the day.
Jane Johnson, school games organiser for Ribble Valley, who arranged the event, said: “Both matches proved how the SPAR Lancashire School Games can influence youngsters across Lancashire and get involved with competitive, inclusive, team sports.
“There was a great atmosphere at both competitions and the pupils showed great team spirit and enthusiasm for sport.
“Thank you to all the young leaders from Accrington Academy and St Christopher’s High School – your support at each of these events was fantastic, your support is invaluable.
“Finally, thank you to Accrington Academy for hosting the girls’ football event – the facilities on the day were second to none.”
Organised by Active Lancashire, the SPAR Lan- cashire School Games comprises a series of inclusive sporting events that provides competitive and participative opportunities for all school children across the county to gain a place at the SPAR Lancashire School Games county finals which will be held at Blackpool’s Stanley Park on July 3.