More than 1,000 school pupils from across the county will be competing for trophies and medals in Herefordshire’s 2008 Youth Games this week.
The games take place at the Hereford Leisure Centre on Holmer Road from 9.30am to 3pm on Friday July 4th. Supported by volunteers from local clubs, schools and the community, pupils from primary and secondary schools will be competing in a range of sports which include athletics, boccia, cricket, floor lacrosse, girls’ football, hockey, kurling, orienteering, rounders, rugby, tennis and tri-golf.
The event kicks off at 9.30am with a huge aerobic warm-up in the leisure centre sports hall courtesy of Halo Leisure – everyone will be expected to join in, including teachers, parents and volunteers.
The Youth Games take place during national school sports week which aims to involve over three million school children, the largest number ever to get involved in physical education and school sport at any one time. Herefordshire Council is organising the event in partnership with school sport partnerships, Herefordshire Sports Council and national governing bodies of sport with extensive support and help from local clubs.
The Herefordshire Youth Games began eight years ago and has increased in popularity every year as new sports have been added to try and attract as wide a range of children and young people as possible.
Jan Perridge, senior sports development officer with Herefordshire Council, said: “The event takes an incredible amount of hard work to organise but with all the support received from the schools, volunteers and club coaches, it always comes together on the day and everyone involved has great fun.
“It’s great seeing young people with special needs from some of the county’s schools actively participating as well, particularly in floor lacrosse, kurling and boccia. Although there are trophies and medals for the winning teams, the day is more about encouraging children to try new things, meet new people, get active and have a good time.”