South Yorkshire School Games Aqua Festival Finals Make a Splash at Maltby Leisure Centre

On Wednesday 29 April 2026, 120 young swimmers from across South Yorkshire came together at Maltby Leisure Centre for the South Yorkshire School Games Aqua Festival Finals, an inspiring celebration of participation and confidence. 

With schools represented from all four corners of the county, the festival brought together pupils who had qualified through local events to take part in a competition designed not just to reward performance, but to support development. The Aqua Festival sits in our School Games category “Develop and Play,” creating opportunities for both foundation and development-level swimmers to represent their school and district in a positive, inclusive environment. Swimmers of different ability levels are blended throughout, encouraging mutual support, teamwork, and shared celebration. The atmosphere poolside reflected this, with pupils cheering each other on regardless of experience or outcome.

Emma Lea, YSF Events Manager said: "A key element of the festival is the inclusion of free play within the session. This gives children valuable time to explore the water in a relaxed setting, something increasingly important as national data continues to show that many children leave primary school without meeting expected swimming standards. Opportunities like this not only improve water confidence but also help build essential life skills around safety, resilience, and physical activity."

Congratulations to our top three scoring schools at the event:

1st place – Waverley Junior Academy, Rotherham
2nd place – Grenoside Community Primary School, Sheffield
3rd place – Oughtibridge Primary School, Sheffield

A teacher from Oughtibridge Primary School said: “Thanks again for putting yesterday's event on, we always love the swimming events that we attend!

"In terms of a success story, one of our boys was incredibly nervous ahead of our initial heat, as he didn't feel like he was a strong enough swimmer to attend a competition event. On the day of the event, his Mum brought him to school as he was really nervous and had given himself a stomach ache! After some coaxing, he agreed to attend and loved it!! Then, on top of all that, he went and won his county finals heat yesterday! The smile on his face when he came out of the water was a picture!

"It also felt like a real community event—as I was sat poolside, I looked up at the viewing gallery while Lush Life was playing on the speaker to the sight of 60 girls all up and dancing, cheering on their teammates! It was lovely!”

The voices of the children themselves captured the spirit of the day. One pupil from Owston Park Primary Academy said: “When I arrived I felt nervous and a little bit scared, but after taking part I feel accomplished and relieved. I’m proud of myself because we tried and qualified to represent our school and district. To someone taking part next year who is nervous like me, I’d say try your best and don’t worry.”

The South Yorkshire School Games Aqua once again demonstrated the power of inclusive sport, highlighting how the School Games, alongside the dedication of the wider network and School Games Organisers, continues to make a lasting impact on young people’s confidence, skills, and enjoyment of physical activity.