Youth Games
Special Schools Sports Festival
'Shobnall Hosts Special Schools Stars'
Athletes from the county's special schools were the stars of the day as Shobnall Leisure Centre hosted Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent's (SASSOT) Special Schools Sports Festival on Wednesday 2 July 2008.
Over 200 pupils from 12 of the County's Special Schools enjoyed a day to remember at the Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Special Schools Sports Festival, on the 2 July, at Shobnall Leisure Complex, Burton upon Trent. The festival, sponsored by Qualitel Business Telecoms Specialists, provided a day to celebrate sport and to develop pathways for pupils to continue to participate in sport outside the school environment.
The athletes took part in coaching sessions and competed in events including zone hockey, tag rugby, cricket, football and athletics as the recent poor weather gave way to sunshine and smiling faces.
Chris Turner, Club & PESSCL Development Officer and festival organiser from Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT) was thrilled with the success of the day. "A massive 'thank you' to Qualitel for sponsoring the event and to Highland Spring for providing bottled water and to Mark Harrod Ltd for supplying sports equipment for the participants; also to the volunteer helpers from Stafford Grammar School and Burton College who helped the day to run smoothly but the real stars of the day are the athletes and the support staff who've made the festival such a success."
During the lunch interval, the athletes and supporters were treated to a hand-cycling demonstration by former GB Paralympian, Marcus Asbury. Marcus, who works as a Sports Development Officer, has had first hand experience of competing at the highest level in the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992. "Today has been all about participation. Despite disabled children experiencing a number of barriers, there are still opportunities, in terms of sport, for access and inclusion" he commented. "Who knows? We may have seen a budding 2012 Paralympics medal winner in the making here today."
The Mayor of East Staffordshire, along with a number of civic dignitaries from across the county, attended the festival and made a number of presentations to the successful teams. Councillor Liz Staples, Mayor of East Staffordshire commented, "The whole concept is exciting and worthwhile. It helps to bring children together for team sports and hopefully generates interest in sport that will last a lifetime."
The enjoyment on the faces of the young athletes was clear, especially those of the Tag Rugby team from Two Rivers School, Tamworth who won the Tag Rugby Competition for the fifth consecutive year.
RESULTS
Athletics
| School | Results |
| Aynsley Special School, Stoke-on-Trent | Winners |
| Fountains High School, East Staffs | 2nd |
| Two Rivers, Tamworth | 3rd |
Cricket
| School | Results |
|
Hednesford Valley High School, Cannock & |
Winners |
| Middlehurst Special School, Stoke-on-Trent | Fair Play |
Tag Rugby
| School | Results |
| Two Rivers, Tamworth (Team A) | Winners |
| Two Rivers, Tamworth (Team B) | Runners Up |
| Fountains High School, East Staffs | Fair Play |
Zone Hockey
| School | Best Player | Most Improved |
|
Kemball School, Stoke-on-Trent |
2 medals awarded | 2 medals awarded |
| Middlehurst Special School, Stoke-on-Trent | 2 medals awarded | 2 medals awarded |
Football
Taking part medals awarded to all participants.
For further details please contact:
Chris Turner
SASSOT Club & PESSCL Development Officer
Tel: 01785 619681
Email: cturner@staffordbc.gov.uk
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Youth Games
Saturday 5th July 2008
Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent
Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Partnership Youth Games Inspires Olympic Hopefuls
Over 550 young athletes from across the county competed in Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent's Youth Games at Stoke-on-Trent's Fenton Manor Sports Complex and Newcastle-under-Lyme's Roe Lane Playing Fields on Saturday. The young starlets, who represented their local authority teams braved Saturday's early showers to provide a fantastic sporting spectacle and as the sun began to shine the competition heated up.
Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT) sports manager Jane Kracke commented, "It was a wonderful day. All the hard work in putting the games together paid off. Thanks to all those who made the games happen, but a special thank you to all the competitors. We had some very high quality performances from our young athletes in all the sports competitions - I wouldn't be surprised if there was a future Olympian amongst them."
The day which was formally opened by The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of the City of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Derek Capey, started with an energetic display from dancers Signal 1 Hotshots who gave the audience of over 800 people an exhilarating hip hop and street dance demonstration. The competition then got under way, with athletes competing in girls' football, girls' cricket, tag rugby, table tennis, tennis and triathlon; in line with the Olympic spirit there was a demonstration of badminton and there were also taster sessions for those who wanted to try their hand at basketball and canoeing.
SASSOT's director, Mark Thornewill was pleased with the success of the day adding "The event is a key element of the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent London 2012 Legacy Action Plan as we seek to build a lasting benefit for sport across the sub region. We are grateful to Fenton Manor and Roe Lane for providing their excellent facilities in support of the event. Thanks also to Mark Harrod Ltd and Highland Spring who donated sports equipment and water for the day - it was a tremendous occasion with great support."
GB basketball star and former Stoke resident, Jo Sarjant was in attendance for the day as a Sporting Champion ambassador, giving a rousing speech during the opening ceremony to encourage the athletes to pursue their sporting dreams. Speaking to the assembled teams of athletes, Jo said "I used to dream of collecting a medal on a podium at a big event. By working hard and staying focused I achieved it by winning a Comonwealth bronze in Melbourne in 2006 - if I can do it anyone can".
For more photo's of the day's activities and for more details on the games and SASSOT please visit www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk or contact Naomi Bird on 01785 619585.
Results
Girls Cricket
| District / School | Results |
|
Stafford (Meirhealth Cricket Club) |
Winners |
| Staffordshire Moorlands | Runners Up |
| Stoke-on-Trent (Carmountside Primary & Hernheath Cricket Club) | Fair Play |
Girls Football Years 3 & 4
| District / School | Results |
| Lichfield | Winners |
| South Staffordshire | Runners Up |
| Stoke-on-Trent (Norton School) | Fair Play |
Girls Football Years 5 & 6
| District / School | Results |
| Cannock (St Joseph & Teresa School) | Winners |
| East Staffordshire (William Shrewsbury School) | Runners Up |
| Stoke-on-Trent (Weston Coyney School) | Fair Play |
Girls Football Years 7 & 8
| District / School | Results |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | Winners |
| Lichfield | Runners Up |
| Cannock (Blake School) | Fair Play |
Girls Football Years 9 & 10
| District / School | Results |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme (Chase High School) | Winners |
| East Staffordshire (Thomas Alleynes School) | Runners Up |
| Cannock | Fair Play |
Tag Rugby
| District / School | Results |
| Lichfield (Christchurch School) | Winners |
| Stafford | Runners Up |
| South Staffordshire (Codsall School) | Fair Play |
Tennis
| District / School | Results |
| Lichfield | Winners |
| Staffordshire Moorlands | Runners Up |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | Fair Play |
Triathlon
| District / School | Results |
| Stafford | Winners |
| Stafford | Runners Up |
| East Staffordshire | Fair Play |
Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent
Youth Games
Competition Formats
Girls' Cricket
Format
An opportunity for girls only teams to play Kwik cricket. All girls taking part will be invited to cricket coaching as a follow on to this event in line with the Staffordshire Cricket Women's & Girls' strategy. Squads of 10 girls wilth 8 to play in each game.
Age Group: Under 11 girls (at midnight on 31 August 2007) i.e. School Year 6 and below for 2007-08 academic year.
Recruitment: Via the local Cricket Development Groups
Sports Co-ordinator: Alison Grimley, County Development Officer
Staffordshire Cricket Board
Mob: 07708129643
Email: Alison.grimley@ecb.co.uk
Girls' Football
Format
A round-robin tournament with a knockout in the later stages will run in accordance with Mini-Soccer guidelines. Each squad will consist of 10 players with 6 playing at any one time. No FA Centre of Excellence players, during the current season, can take part.
Age Group: School Years 3&4, 5&6, 7&8, 9&10
Recruitment: The winning team from each district competition will represent that district at the Youth Games, which will act as the county final
Sports Co-ordinator: Kevin Staples, Girls' & Women Football Development Officer, Staffordshire FA
Tel: 01785 256 994
Mob: 07814 013 918
Email: kevin.staples@staffordshirefa.com
Tag Rugby
Format
A mixed Tag Rugby competition involving squads of 12 players.
Recruitment: Via existing TAG festivals in each district.
Age Group: School Years 5-6
Sports Co-ordinator: Tom Bartram, Rugby Development Officer for Staffordshire
Rugby Football Union
Mob: 07841 156806
Email: tombartram@rfu.com
Table Tennis
Format
To provide new participants the chance to experience table tennis and to allow, encourage and establish a link between beginner and national event levels. Teams of four will represent each district, with at least one player of each gender in each team. The competition will be made up of a series of singles matches (no doubles) and will run in a league format, with a knock out semi final and final.
Age Group: School Years 5 to 8, mixed gender
Recruitment
Sports Co-ordinator: Simon Price
Tel: 01283 568273
Mob: 07971 444242
Email: simonp_54@hotmail.com
Tennis
Format
Teams of 4 (2 boys and 2 girls) playing 'First to 10' will play in a round robin format.
Age Group: School Year 3, mixed gender
Sports Co-ordinator: Katie Higson, Tennis Staffordshire Administrator
Tel: 01785 220655
Email: Katie.higson@lta.org.uk
Triathlon
Format
The day will act as a taster session into the sport of Triathlon. First the participants will be taken into the pool for some specific Triathlon swim training, then they will be taken to do a bike and run session. Following this, they will have a go at a mini Triathlon competition. The competition will be completed on an individual basis, and also as a team. Team scores will be calculated by the first 3 boys and first 3 girls crossing the finish line.
Age Group: Schoool Years 7 & 8, mixed gender
Recruitment: A Triathlon coach will promote the event by going into school assemblies. No qualifying, just 'come and try'
Sports Co-ordinator
Mob: 07795 342639
Email: stevelloyd@britishtriathlon.org
Demonstration Sport
Badminton
'Come and Try' Sports - No Qualifying
- Basketball Canoeing Squash - inflatable court
For more information on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Youth Games please contact:
Jane Kracke
Sports Manager
Tel: 01785 619187
Email: jkracke@staffordbc.gov.uk
Staffordshire Youth Games Seeks Sponsors
Sponsors are being sought for two sporting events organised by the County Sports Partnership, Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent. The 2009 Special Schools Sports Festival and the 2009 Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Youth Games.
The events will see over 1,000 of the county's budding athletes from mainstream and special schools competing at two separate events and taking part in a wide range of sports and will aim to provide lasting pathways for the participants to enable them to continue to enjoy and succeed in their chosen activities. With the support of the National Governing Bodies and the Local Authorities the games will provide a springboard to bigger things and help identify future sporting talent.
"The games have proved a fantastic success in previous years, but a change in our remit as a County Sports Partnership means that we have limited funds available to support such events," commented Sports Manager, Jane Kracke. "We have already received some very positive news from a potential sponsor for our Special Schools Event and support from our local authorities for the Youth Games but we would still appreciate financial sponsorship and any in-kind support such as refreshments and equipment for the days would be fantastic."
Jason Britton, Business Development Manager for the Partnership commented, "With the 2012 Olympics fast approaching, a number of companies in the county may be hoping to tender for contracts linked with delivering the Olympic Games in London; sponsoring either or both of our events would be a great addition to the corporate CV's of those potential bidders and would really make a difference to the lives of the youngsters involved. Who knows? We might even identify a medal-winner for 2012 here in Staffordshire. "
For further information on how to become a sponsor please contact Naomi Bird at Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent on 01785 619599 or via e-mail at (nbird@staffordbc.gov.uk) or Leigh Morton on 01785 619349 (lmorton@staffordbc.gov.uk).
Top-
