Around 1,000 schoolchildren from across South Yorkshire took part in the annual South Yorkshire School Games summer festival, last Friday (5 July).
Taking place across three venues, including the Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park, the event welcomed more than 60 schools representing Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to compete in five different sports.
It was a successful day for schools from Sheffield, as they won 18 medals in total, including seven golds. Dobcroft Infant School enjoyed particular joy, winning four medals.
Rotherham schools won two golds in their overall total of seven; there were three medals for Doncaster schools; and two bronze medals for schools representing Barnsley.
Following an Olympic style opening ceremony featuring former Team GB swimmer, James Kirton, children competed across cricket, athletics, hockey, orienteering and tri-golf to be county champions.
In addition to the competitive element of the festival, there was also an Active School zone and Adventure Challenge, which provided children who hadn’t reached this stage of the competition the opportunity to experience the festival atmosphere.
More than 100 girls from secondary schools also joined the event to take part in a ‘Colour SMASH’ run. The girls started the race in a clean white t-shirt, and finish it covered in paint dye. The fun event was designed to attract those not typically involved in sports teams or activity.
Nigel Harrison, CEO of organisers Yorkshire Sport Foundation, commented: “Recent research has shown that enjoyment is at the heart of why children take part in sport and activity, and it was clear from the smiles on faces that those involved thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
“The event was a great mix of competitive, non-competitive and inclusive sport and physical activity, and all the young people involved should be proud to have been part of it.
“We were supported by a committed team of volunteers who made the festival possible, and I’d like to thank them for their invaluable contribution.”