Shrewsbury triumphs at school games

More than 640 youngsters from all corners of the county descended on Shrewsbury Sports Village for the competition, where activities included cycling, rounders, archery, kwik-cricket, dodgeball and orienteering.

A total of 54 different schools took part in the event, which was the culmination of months of competition for students who competed against neighbouring schools to make it through to the county finals.

Each finalist was representing one of six School Games areas – Shrewsbury, East Shropshire, North Shropshire, South Shropshire, and two areas from Telford & Wrekin.

And when all the points from all the events were added together, it was Shrewsbury which took the title for the first time, ahead of East Shropshire, which had previously won the title every time.

The Telford & Wrekin Burton Borough area came third, with North Shropshire in fourth, Telford & Wrekin Langley fifth, and South Shropshire sixth.

In the individual finals, the trophies were spread all around the county.

Among the Shrewsbury schools which lifted trophies were Greenfields which won the sportsability cricket competition, and Coleham which won the orienteering.

Market Drayton primary took the key stage two arrows archery title, and the new age kurling cup went to Worfield.

This year’s cycling champions were Hanwood, while Wistanstow won the dodgeball, and the small schools rounders champions were St Peter and St Paul’s from Newport.

In the mini tennis competition, this year’s title went to St John’s of Bridgnorth.

The festival began with an opening ceremony featuring winning acts from Energize’s ‘School Games Has Got Talent’ competition. Adcote School’s under 11 gymnastics team performed alongside dance troupes from Claverley primary and St Leonard’s of Bridgnorth, and singing duo Katie Roberts and Katie Baird, from Market Drayton.

Multiple world and Paralympic archery champion Danielle Brown, from Telford, also delivered a motivational speech to all the finalists. The event was co-ordinated by the county sports partnership Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

Youth sport manager Harry Cade said: “The games are focused around six key values – determination, passion, respect, honesty, self-belief and teamwork.

“All of those competing had already beaten the best teams and individuals other schools in their area had to offer, and were determined to do their best when representing their areas.”

More than 100 ‘young leaders’ helped with the organisation of the event, working as either officials or team managers, alongside sixth formers from the new Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Events Academy.

Mr Cade said: “These roles are critical to the success of the festival, ensuring that each event runs smoothly. It was another hugely successful day – an example of a school sport festival which was run by young people, for young people.”

Pete Bourton, head of Idsall School in Shifnal, chairs the local organising committee for the Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival.

He said: “We are thrilled that Shrewsbury Sports Village once again hosted the festival, along with The Shrewsbury Club, and Sentinel Cricket Club as additional event venues, for what was a day of exciting sporting competition.

“Since the beginning of the 2016/17 academic year, school teams have been competing in a wide range of level two qualifying events, in the hope of progressing to the Shropshire Homes School Sport Festival.

“The variety of sports has provided an opportunity for even more young people to participate, and enjoy the benefits of school games.”

He added: “I want to thank our local sponsor Shropshire Homes, whose continuing support is critical to the success of this event, and ensures that hundreds of young people can continue to develop Shropshire and

Telford & Wrekin’s own long-term legacy from the London 2012 Olympics.”