Devon youngsters prepare for Winter School Games

Almost 1000 youngsters will be competing in the Devon winter school games later this week (Thursday 28th March).  The popular event, organised by Active Devon, is being staged at the Torbay Leisure Centre, Clennon Valley. 

The school games, funded by Sport England, are designed to deliver competitive sport to all young people. They will come from Devon’s primary and secondary school age groups and more than 500 will be taking part in the cross-country competition and festival races. 

There will be several competition sports, including:

Volleyball
Table Tennis
Cross Country
High Fives Netball

In addition there will be a variety of taster activities for the youngsters to try:

Athletics
Rugby League
BMX
Taiko Drumming
TaeKwonDo
Fencing
Yoga
Skateboarding
Spinning

75 young leaders will be helping with officiating and scoring. They will also play a key role in organising the innovative Personal Challenge Arena. “This will provide youngsters with an opportunity to compete against themselves  and others," said Lisa Alford, Active Devon. 

“This is aimed at  improving personal performance, with a focus on the process rather than the outcome.”  

The highlight of the opening ceremony will be a performance by the Curledge Street dance club, fresh from their appearance at the Torbay Schools dance festival at the Princess Theatre. 

Helping to inspire the youngsters throughout the day will be 2 special sporting champions - Anna Mae Cole – Grade 2 para dressage rider and James Bevis –  British sports-shooter who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Paralympics.