Sport festival is biggest ever

Nearly 250 pupils from 11 schools celebrated South Lanarkshire’s biggest ever schools disability sport festival in Hamilton last week.

The annual event at Hamilton Palace involved pupils from Blackwood, Carstairs Junction, Chatelherault, High Blantyre, Hareleeshill, Murray, West Mains and Victoria Park Primaries plus Greenburn School, Hamilton Grammar and Lanark Grammar. They enjoyed sports including football, athletics, cricket, bowls and rugby.

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture chair David Watson said: “The public profile of disability sport has never been higher, and this has been our biggest disability sport festival event ever.

“While the emphasis was on fun, it was also a fantastic opportunity for children from across South Lanarkshire to try out a wide range of sports and activities and perhaps find something they want to take up on a regular basis.

“Without the enthusiasm and expertise of our coaches, volunteers, local sports clubs and Active Schools, the annual festival would not be possible and I would like to thank them all for delivering a fun-filled event.

“I’m sure the children will benefit from the experience as getting so much enjoyment out of sport is the ideal incentive to keep taking part.”

Each participant was given a medal and goodie bag.

Nice throw Boccia international Peter Mcguire shows the sport to Kai, Ozzie and Declan from Blackwood Primary

Up high Hamilton’s netball star Bethan Goodwin shows the waypictures by Helen Barrington

How’s that David Watson with pupils from Carstairs Junction Primary

Get in On target on the assault course