Festivals giving youngsters a sporting chance

Monday 18 May 2015

Hundreds of youngsters are having a go at some of the sports featuring in next month’s NatWest Island Games.

About 900 ten and eleven year olds are competing in the annual Primary School Sport Festivals at Fort Regent over the next two weeks.

They’ll get to try badminton, golf, table tennis, circuit training and kickboxing and will be competing against other schools to be crowned 2015 Primary School Festivals Champion.

Community Development Officer for Sport Paul Brannan said: “During the build up to the 2015 NatWest Island Games, schools have been twinned with competing islands which has given pupils the opportunity to learn more about the visiting teams. “We’ve taken it a step further so that we can really tie in with the Games and so the school athletes will be competing in the festivals in the name of their twinned island.”

Assistant Sport’s Minister Connetable Steve Pallett said: “The festivals are always a lot of fun, not just because pupils get to enjoy a day of sport, but because they have the opportunity to represent their school and compete against other schools.

“It’s an excellent event that helps create our sportsmen and women of the future and it’s perfect timing to highlight the Natwest Island Games. The theme adds an exciting extra dimension to the competition.”

The organisers hope for some it will lead to a lifelong love of their new sport.

Mr Brannan said: “The Primary School Festivals give pupils the opportunity to try sports which they may not have tried before. In the past few years we have seen a lot of children take up memberships at sports clubs on the back of trying a new sport at the Primary School Festivals.

“It is important that we are able to provide a pathway into clubs outside of school so that they can continue to develop their interest and ability.”

The festivals are taking place from 9.45 am to 2.30 pm this week and next.