Pupils enjoy their ‘little’ Olympics (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Pupils enjoy their ‘little’ Olympics

4:33pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Grass Roots news By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

A LITTLE bit of the Olympics came to Burnley when more than 250 pupils took part in their own version of the greatest show on earth.

The special Olympic 2012 celebration event was held at Barden running track and included an official opening ceremony while schools were given a country to represent.

During the opening ceremony schools paraded into Barden with Team GB – represented by St John’s Burnley – entering last in true Olympic tradition.

Each school had to wear colours and design banners celebrating the culture of that country.

Young Gold Sports Ambassador, Abigail Ponder, officially opened the games by reading out the Olympic oath and creed, during which all competitors agreed to take part in the games abiding by the rules and showing true sportsmanship.

Stoneyholme school pupil, Fawaaz Miah, carried their own ‘mock’ torch onto the track to a warm welcome by all parents and competitors.

Throughout the day, all children competed in a School Games Quad Kid’s Athletics event – a format developed through England Athletics which is designed to give each athlete the opportunity to experience all disciplines of athletics. They each competed in a sprint, jump, throw and a long distance run. Pupils were also given the opportunity to take part in multi-sports activities over at Thomas Whitham sixth form which was led by local primary school teachers and Pendle Forest Sports Club.

In the athletics, Olivia Thornton and Ben McGowan both from St Augustine’s Primary School shone through as two up-and-coming star’s after winning all of their events and took gold medals in the individual competition. With two strong competitors on the team, it was no surprise that St Augustine’s emerged victorious and took home gold medals. By winning the Quad Kids Athletics event, St Augustine’s were invited to take part in the Level 3 County Finals of the Spar School Games. Helen Tyson, school games organiser for the Burnley School Sport Partnership, said: “We must thank Burnley Athletics Club who gave up their time and facility to make the event possible and also young sports leaders from Thomas Whitham sixth Form and School PE staff and coaches.”

Burnley Athletics Club is inviting budding young athlete’s to take part in free taster session. Junior training is held on Monday’s and Thursday’s (6-8pm).

n Spar Primary School Games report page 16-17.