Celebrating youth sport in Devon

Over 1,200 participants are set to take part in The Devon Winter School Games on Thursday 19 March, at Torbay Leisure Centre and Paignton Community & Sports Academy.

This event enables young people from schools throughout Devon to participate in competitions spanning nine different sports including cross country, goalball, handball, hockey, netball, rugby and table tennis. Young people from local schools and colleges will also be involved in organising the event on the day as over 100 of them will be recruited as ‘Games Maker’ style volunteers.

Active Devon Chief Executive Matt Evans said: The Devon School Games is hugely energetic and inspirational because it is the culmination of so much sporting effort and success by young people across the county. Although there are medals on offer, the Games are about the Spirit of 2012, which means teamwork, determination and passion.

“This is also a showcase for lots of new and exciting sports for young people to try and offers a wonderful platform for young people to act as leaders, officials and event deliverers. Active Devon is really proud to be part of the Local Organising Committee which helps the Devon Schools Games to thrive year upon year.”

In addition to the competitions and activities on offer, Georgina ‘Gorgs’ Geikie British Pistol Shooting Champion, Commonwealth medallist and 2012 Olympian will be present at the event as the Games’ Sporting Champion. Georgina will open the event and spend the day meeting, inspiring and interacting with the participants.

“I really can’t wait to experience some great sporting competition in Devon. Hard work and dedication in my sport allowed me to make it all the way to compete in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games and I’m sure some of the stars of the future will be competing at these School Games,” said Gorgs.

“It is the perfect stage for them to demonstrate their ability to become great role models for all young people in the area. I’m sure it will be a fantastic event and I’m already really excited about it.”

Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in taster activities delivered by local community clubs. At Paignton Academy, taster activities include; dance, Nordic walking, cultural activities such as mosaic making and archery and at Torbay Leisure Centre, inclusive volleyball, curling, cultural activities, shooting, football and cycling.

The Devon School Games is part of a programme of four Countywide Sainsbury’s School Games multi-sport festivals in Devon, delivered by Active Devon on behalf of the Devon School Games Local Organising Committee.

For further information please contact Active Devon on 01392 263674