Pupils help launch 2019 School Games
SCHOOL children from across the county have been helping to officially launch the SPAR Lancashire School Games 2019 by attending a special launch event, held at James Hall & Co’s SPAR distribution centre in Preston.
Held on the perfect day to discuss loving sport - Valentine’s Day – the event was organised by Active Lancashire and James Hall & Co, SPAR UK wholesaler for the North of England.
Over 80 school children from 14 Lancashire districts attended the launch, alongside two Team GB athletes - Paralympian Nathan Maguire and Commonwealth Gold Boxer, Lisa Whiteside – who mesmerised the children with motivational tips and nuggets of inspiration from their careers as professional athletes.
Paralympian Nathan spoke about his disability with the children, explaining that living well was all about having the right mindset and approach to life’s challenges: “My disability has offered me the most amazing experiences and the chance to compete in incredible places, represent my country and meet a fantastic range of diverse and inspiring people.
“I had to go outside of school to find the right kind of facilities and developed my love of competitive sport through wheelchair basketball.
“It is fantastic to see children with disabilities here today being offered the chance to take part in such an exciting and inclusive competition.”
Lisa Whiteside, who was born in Chorley and recently won the Commonwealth flyweight title for England said: “The SPAR Lancashire School Games offers children such a fantastic opportunity to be involved in competitive sport and I only wish that I had had such an opportunity whilst at school.
Lisa added: “Meeting the children today and seeing their enthusiasm for sport has been amazing and reflects all the hard work from the Lancashire school games organisers, SPAR and Active Lancashire.”
Guests enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of James Hall & Co’s 35,000 sq. metre warehouse and production areas, witnessing how products are made, packaged and transported on to the shelves of their local SPAR stores.
Peter Dodding, sales and marketing director at James Hall & Co said: “This is our 13th year of sponsoring the SPAR Lancashire School Games and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to continue that support.
“Each year, the team of school games organisers make such a difference to sport within schools and we are proud to be working alongside Active Lancashire to help promote healthy and active lifestyles throughout the county.”
VIPS attending the event included Councillor Trevor Hart (Mayor of Preston) and representatives from Active Lancashire and ROCK FM.
Peter added: “Over 94,000 Lancashire school children participated in last year’s SPAR Lancashire School Games and this year promises to be bigger and better!”
During 2018, the SPAR Lancashire School Games engaged with a staggering 94,000 children with 14 Lancashire school games organisers working to engage 779 schools, promoting active sport programmes and healthy lifestyles within schools.
A series of regional events covering 24 sports culminated in the SPAR Lancashire School Games county final, held in July at Blackpool’s Stanley Park, where 2600 children represented their district and school.
New for 2019 will be participation events, which aim to engage with children who may not typically have the chance to participate in the games and promote inclusivity in sport.
These activities include Dodgeball; Angling; Volleyball and Climbing.