Schools’ ‘Olympics’ prove a class above
STUDENTS staged sporting battles for school glory in an annual ‘Olympics’ designed to forge friendships for life.
The Emmanuel Schools Foundation staged its annual sporting spectacular with years seven to 10 and sixth formers competing in hockey, rugby, football, netball, volleyball and cross-country.
Hosted this year by Trinity Academy in Thorne, near Doncaster, the event brought together ESF’s four schools – the hosts, Emmanuel College, Gateshead, The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham and Bede Academy, Blyth – in a festival of athleticism and healthy competition.
The ESF ‘Olympics’ began 15 years ago to enhance relations among students and staff of schools geographically miles apart.
Trinity’s head of sport and organiser of the competition Katie O’Brien added: “It was an absolute pleasure to organise the event and to see so many sports going on and the passion students have for their chosen disciplines - all competing fiercely but in the knowledge they are part of the same family.”
The cross-country event saw the lead switching constantly throughout the competition, Emmanuel College finally pulling ahead in both the boys’ and girls’ races.
Netball was another ferociously-contested competition finally won by Bede Academy, while in football King’s Academy stole a last-minute victory after a series of hotlycontested matches.
Hockey was a close-fought battle to the end in an atmosphere of exceptional sportsmanship which saw Bede Academy finally win through.
In an intense volleyball competition, victory went to Trinity Academy while Emmanuel College romped home in the rugby.
Overall the 2018 ‘Olympics’ crown went to Emmanuel College.