Oldbury Wells and Idsall bag two titles

The festival marked the culmination of months of competition for some 1,400 students, who battled against other schools in their areas to make it through to the Shropshire finals.

Most of the finals were staged during a packed two-day programme at Shrewsbury Sports Village at the beginning of March, but bad weather forced the secondary school rugby finals to be postponed.

When the rugby matches were rescheduled, Bridgnorth's Oldbury Wells School won the girls' competition, and the team from Idsall School in Shifnal triumphed in the boys' section.

The School Games level three county competition, known locally as the 'Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival', is co-ordinated in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin by the county sports partnership Energize.

All schools in the finals were representing one of the six School Games areas – Shrewsbury, East Shropshire, North Shropshire, South Shropshire and two areas from Telford & Wrekin.

It was the East Shropshire region which won the overall primary and secondary school competitions – retaining their titles from 2015.

Harry Cade, youth sport manager at Energize, said: "The festival was a great success. We had participants from 87 primary and 38 secondary schools, taking part in 28 events.

"The sports included badminton, basketball, cross country, dodgeball, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rugby, sportshall athletics, and events specific for students with special educational needs and disabilities.

"In addition to the hundreds of participants, there were also over 180 amazing young leaders, taking on the roles of team managers, officials and event managers.

"Their involvement and support during the two festival days were key to making the events run smoothly.

"The standard of competition was very high, with participants showing determination and team-work."

Cade reckons the hard work done by School Games organisers is vital in making the festival a success.

He said: "In the months leading up to the Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival, there were hundreds of competitions held in the six different School Games areas to decide which teams and individuals would qualify."

The School Games organisers for the six areas are Chris Jew (East Shropshire), Emma Tomkins (North Shropshire), Denise Lee & Liz Kitcher (Shrewsbury), Kristien Wood (South Shropshire), Sally Harris (Telford & Wrekin Burton Borough) and Frankie Williams (Telford & Wrekin Langley).

It ensures there is a calendar of sporting competitions allowing young people to be involved in the School Games programme and take part in numerous sports.

Preparations are already well under way for the next event – the 2016 Summer Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival which will again be held at Shrewsbury Sports Village, on July 5 and 6.