Hundreds of children will head to Sandown’s Fairway Sports Complex this Saturday (12th July) for the annual Primary School Island Games.
Pupils from 35 Island schools will take part in the popular sporting event which has been taking place on the Isle of Wight since 2008. Organised by the Isle of Wight Council’s Sports Unit, primary school children compete in seven sports during the day. These are handball, tag rugby, basketball, netball, hockey, cricket and athletics.
Each school represents an international island on the day, which schools grouped by area. The Cayman Islands will be represented by schools from the Bay area, Cowes area schools will be Menorca, West Wight schools will represent Bermuda, schools from the Newport area will be the Western Isles, while St Helena and Greenland will be represented by schools from Ryde and Ventnor respectively.
During the day, there will also be a ‘come and try’ zone for people to have a go at volleyball, golf and archery. The council’s One Card team will be on hand to discuss activities at council leisure centres, while representatives from public health will be promoting the Change 4 Life ’10 Minute Shake-up’ scheme. This aims to encourage children to get 60 minutes of physical activity each day by taking part in fun games that last 10 minutes each that all the family can take part in. People can sign up for a ’10 minute shake up’ pack which includes a free stopwatch, activity cards featuring characters from Disney’s Frozen, Monsters, Jungle Book and Fairies, and a Disney-themed wall chart and stickers.
The event gives children the opportunity to experience what it feels like to take part in a large sporting event. It aims to inspire those taking part to lead healthy and active lifestyles and encourage children to pursue one or a number of sports as they grow up.
The opening ceremony will start at 09:30 with schools taking part in a parade, carrying their team flag before the games start at 10.15am. Presentation of medals takes place from 13:30, with the overall winner announced at 14:00. Last year’s overall champions St Helena (schools from the Ryde area) will look to defend their title and are the competition’s most successful team, having won it on all but one occasion since the games began in 2008.
The games form an important part of the council’s legacy work following the NatWest Island Games which took place on the Island in 2011.
Councillor Richard Priest, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for children’s servioes, said:
“The Primary School Island Games is an important event in the Island’s sporting calendar and not only gives children the chance to compete in various sports in a friendly manner, it also designed to show them at an early age what sporting competition is all about.
“I am sure everyone taking part will have a great time”.
Spectators are welcome and refreshments will be available.
Programme
09:30 to 10:00 – opening ceremony
10:15 – games begin
13:30 to 14:00m – individual sports presentations
14:00 to 14:15 – overall games winners announced
For more information about the event please contact the Isle of Wight Council Sports Unit on (01983) 823818 or email [email protected] or visit www.iwight.com/sportsunit.
