Hundreds join SPAR Lancashire School Games Finale in Burnley

The event brought together primary school children from East Lancashire for a day of sport and celebration in Thompson Park and Victoria Park.

Pupils from Burnley, Pendle, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Rossendale took part in the event, which featured a wide range of activities including football, tennis, archery, tri-golf, adventure challenges and creative movement.

Nine-year-old Hadiya Fatima of Holy Saviour RC Primary School in Nelson said: “We took part in the sports day activity, and my favourites activities were the sack race, the tug of war, and welly wanging. It has been nice to do this alongside my friends.

Pupils from Burnley, Pendle, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Rossendale took part in the event (Image: CLIVE LAWRENCE)

“At the end we did the Colour Run which was great fun and very messy! It was my first time doing the Colour Run, and I got a medal at the finish. I would give the day a 10/10.”

Activities were designed to help young people develop confidence, resilience, social connection and enjoyment of being active.

Betty Murray, 11, from St Andrew’s CE Primary School in Oswaldtwistle, said: “I did the tri-golf today and it was a really good experience. We all worked really well as a team.

“I previously came to the School Games event in Burnley two years ago, so I did the Colour Run then.

"There was definitely more colour this year! I could not see anything because of the cloud! It has been an amazing way to finish the year.”

The Lancashire School Games have been sponsored by SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd since 2006.

To mark the anniversary, all participants wore T-shirts featuring a commemorative logo designed by School Games participant Ibrahim Musa from Preston, which appeared on the sleeve of all T-shirts worn by the children at the Finale.

The winning design was chosen by star Team GB athlete Keely Hodgkinson from over 400 entries submitted.

Niels Dekkers, joint managing director of James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: "Our thanks go to the School Games Organisers and Active Lancashire for putting on another excellent programme of SPAR Lancashire School Games events.

"When you are at the Finales you can see and hear just how much children enjoy participating in them with friends and peers from across Lancashire."

James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business based in Preston, serving SPAR retailers and stores across Northern England.