Baton Relay brings Rotherham together - Impact Report

Thousands of children cheered on a baton relay between 82 schools across Rotherham to celebrate the Children’s Capital of Culture this summer.  

Yorkshire Sport Foundation supported the 2025 Festival Year showing how physical activity could be promoted to schools, communities and families across Rotherham.   

The Schools’ Baton Relay saw 336 children running between schools with a baton they designed.  

The relay celebrated what’s great about each community, showing pupils where they can be active and created positive experiences, and magical moments for everyone taking part.  

It was supported by the School Games team, engaging schools from every district and even running parts of the relay itself. 

17,500 children took part in the events, coming out onto the playground or surrounding streets to cheer on their friends, designing banners, posters and bunting.   

Many schools boosted the impact of the Baton Relay by organising in-house events so   every child could enjoy being physically active and feel the positive support of schoolmates.   

Staff said: “It was wonderful to see the whole school cheer the children on at the start of the race. There was a real buzz around school. The sponsored run we did raised £948 for cancer research.” 

Another staff member said, “Was a great event and thoroughly enjoyed by all pupils! The community spirit that came out from the event was amazing and seeing our pupils encouraging one and other, as well as peers from other schools was really heartwarming.” 

Daniel Neath, South Yorkshire Communities Officer at Yorkshire Sport Foundation said, “It was a privilege to work alongside dedicated partners including School Games Organisers and the Children’s Capital of Culture team to make the Baton Relay a reality.   

“We were amazed at the extra effort made by so many schools in Rotherham to make this event so special. They brought out their whole school to cheer on the runners and enjoy in-house activities.   

Carl Hawkes, CEO of Yorkshire Sport Foundation said:  "This report celebrates the fantastic impact of the Rotherham Schools’ Baton Relay. We are pleased to play our part in initiatives like the Children’s Capital of Culture where children’s voices are heard and celebrated. So many children had a positive experience of physical activity and sport, and the whole borough has been brought together for such as positive reason.”

Read the impact report