Multi-Sport Competition Is Just The Tonic For Local Pupils

Twelve primary schools battled it out  in eight activities to be crowned king and queens of the multi-sport competition. 

Hosted at Denton Community College, and coordinated between Panathlon Challenge and the Tameside School Sports Partnership, the event was specifically tailored for pupils with special educational needs.

In a bid to provide pupils with some fun, friendly and competitive action - something they usually wouldn’t have the chance to do - Panathlon Challenge set up eight activities to test their skills, ranging from bean bag throwing  and parachute popcorn to, curling and boccia. 

It’s hoped that the event will inspire the pupils to make new friends and work together in future activities, with the added bonus of joining a club outside of school time.

Speaking to Reporter Sport, Panathlon’s Andy Lord said he was delighted with the pupils’ enthusiasm. “These events are invaluable to a pupil’s confidence. A lot of the activity stations that we’re using today can be adapted, so they’re not just for the pupils as the staff can learn a lot and take them back to school. Maybe the result of that will see the school buy a curling set, and then the pupils will learn a new sport. 

“Having said that, it might just be as simple as developing skills, making new friends and representing their school.”

With this event being a multi-sport competition, pupils might not join a club immediately, however it might encourage them to become more active and plant a seed of interest. The events, which Andy takes charge of in Greater Manchester and Cumbria, are funded by sponsorships and charitable donations. Andy added. “The founder of Panathlon goes out to secure sponsorship on a yearly basis. We have some sponsors that give a considerable amount of money, whilst others give a smaller amount, although any kind of donations added to the pot really help the event and they have a real, positive impact on people.”

You can watch the video of the event on the sports section of our website, www,questmedianetwork.co.uk