YOUNGSTERS from across the region showed off their sporting prowess at a two-day County Festival organised as part of the Sainsbury’s School Games Programme.
Around 80 schools were represented at the event which took place at the University of Warwick including Blue Coat Church of England School on Terry Road, Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School on Potters Green Road and Tile Hill Wood School on Nutbrook Avenue.
The competition involved more than 2,000 primary and secondary school children participating in Olympic and Paralympic sports or as young leaders supporting the festival.
Olympic-style opening and closing ceremonies were also held and England’s Paralympic Cerebral Palsy football team captain Jack Rutter delivered an inspirational speech.
The 23-year-old was an aspiring Premier League footballer who had spent eight years with the Birmingham City Academy when an unprovoked assault in 2009 left him with brain damage and deaf in one ear.
He spoke about the importance of participating in sport and how his determination to overcome his challenges allowed him to fulfil his potential and follow his sporting dream.
Audrajean Elliott-Davies, partnership development officer at CSW Sport, said: “It was the second Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire County Festival to have been held this year and once again we saw some fantastic sports performances as well as creative gym and dance performances during the Olympic ceremonies.
“The festival was a great way to round off the school year and really helps to inspire the schoolchildren allowing them to develop their sporting skills and take part in competitive activity.”
The Sainsbury’s School Games Programme aims to build on the legacy of the 2012 Olympics and give every child and school the chance to participate in competitive sport.
For more information about the programme visit yourschoolgames.com
Around 2,000 pupils from over 80 schools from Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire took part in the County Festival. (s)
on you marks, get set, go! (s)
Two players battle for possession during a hockey match the University of Warwick. (s)
One Coventry youngster shows of her tennis skills. (s)
England’s Paralympic Cerebral Palsy football team captain Jack Rutter speaks about his experiences to the pupils. (s)
