Last week over 3,000 of Cornwall’s budding sports stars competed in the biggest school sport event the county has ever seen, the 2012 Cornwall School Games.
Held at a number of venues across Newquay and at Carn Brea Athletics Track, the 2012 Cornwall School Games took place on Friday June 22 and saw the top young athletes from every school in Cornwall compete in 25 different sports across the following locations: Carn Brea Athletics Track, Newquay Tretherras and Treviglas Schools, Newquay Sports Centre, Newquay Harbour, Heron Tennis Centre and Waterworld.
Emmie Seward, Head of PE at Bodmin College, said: "Congratulations on a fantastic day, my students thoroughly enjoyed it – what a success! Well done everyone!"
Tim Hoban, Director of Learning for PE at Camborne Science & International Academy, added: “Our athletes and leaders really enjoyed it and the commitment and planning really came together well in what I am sure will be a very memorable day for everyone involved.”
Motivating and supporting students throughout the day were Cornish Olympic weightlifter Michaela Breeze, Olympic Judo athlete Tom Reed, Baroness Sue Campbell CBE who is Chair for the Youth Sport Trust and UK Sport, Ian Broadbridge who is the Department of Education’s Senior Policy Adviser for PE & Sport, and local MPs George Eustace and Stephen Gilbert.
Michaela Breeze enthused: "I couldn't wait for the 2012 Cornwall School Games and am just gutted it didn't exist when I was young! It’s great to see so many young people from across the county coming together to compete against one another in a multi-sports environment. It really provides young people with insight into what it’s like to compete in such an exciting setting and to showcase their talents. I feel honoured to be a part of it."
Baroness Sue Campbell CBE commented: “The School Games is a fantastic opportunity to engage a whole range of young people across a wide variety of sports. The Cornwall School Games will motivate and inspire thousands of young people in this special year for sport.”
The 2012 Cornwall School Games has been organised in partnership by Cornwall Sports Partnership, Local School Games Organisers, Cornwall Schools and Head Teachers and the different National Governing Bodies of Sport through a Local Organising Committee.
Marie Hunter, Chair of the Local Organising Committee and Headteacher at Penryn College, explained: “What could be more inspirational than over 3,000 young people coming together, in this Olympic Year, to celebrate everything that sport brings?
"This is a memorable moment for School Sport in Cornwall and a testament to a year when schools have worked together to provide high level competitive sporting opportunities, supported by local governing bodies and Cornwall Sports Partnership. It is particularly exciting that the event has also showcased innovative music, dance and drama to celebrate young talent and creativity. Friday 22 June was a truly great day for Cornwall's young people.”
Emma Moore, Community Development Manager at Fowey Community College, said: “I would like to thank and congratulate the Cornwall Sports Partnership team for a great day on Friday.”
Set across four levels nationally, the School Games framework is fully inclusive and has been designed to increase the amount of competitive sport taking place across the school year. From class versus class and school versus school, through to countywide sports festivals and culminating in a national finals event - the first of which was held at the Olympic Park in London in May - the School Games is a real celebration of sport. It was piloted last year in Cornwall and saw over 1,000 students from 32 schools compete in a number of sporting events at different locations which included: Godrevy beach, Carn Brea running track, Stithians Lake, Falmouth Sports Centre and Penryn College.
Plans are already underway for the 2013 Cornwall School Games which is to be held on either June 28 or 29. For further information about how schools can become involved, go to: www.cornwallsportspartnership.co.uk