A trio of special Finales have capped off the 20th year of the SPAR Lancashire School Games.
Held in Burnley, Lancaster, and Preston, hundreds of children from across Lancashire took part in the finales, designed to deliver physical fitness challenges while developing multiple skills.
The events kicked off with the Lancaster, Morecambe, and South Cumbria Finale where the grounds of Arkholme Village Hall were transformed into a full-throttle adventure zone as children completed a Tough Runner activity.
The mini-obstacle course saw schoolchildren run, crawl and climb, passing through tunnels that tested strength and over hurdles that required balance.
In Burnley, Thompson Park and Victoria Park was the destination for children from Burnley, Pendle, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, and Rossendale schools.
Activities ranged from football skills to tennis, and archery to tri-golf, and the sporting events were followed by a Colour Run and Party in the Park.
Rounding off the trio was the Preston Finale, with a traditional sports day held at the University of Lancashire Arena.
Children from Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire took part in activities including athletics, girls’ football, cricket, golf, tag rugby and orienteering. There was also creative dance, and The Royal Ballet closed the event with an interactive dance party.
SPAR Lancashire School Games activity is delivered in three distinct clusters across the county – Coastal, Central, and Pennine – aligned to local needs. Run by Active Lancashire and the School Games Organiser Network, the Lancashire School Games have been sponsored by SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd since 2006.
To celebrate 20 years of SPAR’s sponsorship, a commemorative logo designed by School Games participant Ibrahim Musa from Preston also appeared on the sleeve of all T-shirts worn by the children at the Finale events.
The winning design was chosen by star Team GB athlete Keely Hodgkinson from over 400 entries submitted.
Reuben Harrison, from Silverdale St John Primary School, took part in Lancaster and South Cumbria’s Tough Runner event. He said: “We all got around the course together and we were cheering and supporting one another.
“It was a challenge getting through all the obstacles and we were afraid of getting stuck in the mud. We did five laps and we wanted more time for more laps by the end.”
Image: James Hall & Co. Ltd
Hadiya Fatima, of Holy Saviour RC Primary School in Nelson, was part of the Burnley Finale. She said: “We took at 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.
“At the end we did the Colour Run 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.”
Scarlett Hart, age 11, from St Annes Catholic Primary School in Ormskirk, took part in the Preston Finale. She said: “We won the football tournament were competing in which is an amazing feeling. We tried our hardest in every match and we won all our games without conceding a goal.
“It has been a brilliant day and a nice way to finish the year. A big thank you to West Lancs staff and to the organisers of the day. It has been great to play alongside my friends.”
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.
“We had a British record holder in Harry Coppell launch the 20th year of the School Games and a current Olympic Champion in Keely Hodgkinson select the commemorative logo. They have added stardust to a special year and hopefully their input together with Games activities have inspired children to continue physical activity in the future as part of a healthy lifestyle.”
Adrian Leather, Chief Executive Officer at Active Lancashire, said: “I am proud of the Active Lancashire team and School Games Organisers who have done a wonderful job delivering activities which have included individual events to team challenges, all designed to help young people develop skills, confidence, resilience, and social connection.
“We could not do this without the support of SPAR who have been with us for 20 years. For two decades this sponsorship has aided the delivery of sport and other physical activities and created meaningful experiences that can positively influence lifelong attitudes towards movement and wellbeing in Lancashire.”
Image: James Hall & Co. Ltd