Local schools shine at School Games

Siddal Moor U13s girls handball team at the School Games

Over 2,000 local talented young athletes from schools across the county battled it out in their sport at the Greater Manchester Sainsbury’s School Games on Tuesday 15 July.

St John’s RC Primary, Smithy Bridge Primary, St Cuthbert's RC Business and Enterprise College, and Siddal Moor Sports College are just a few of the schools in the area that took part.

Students from Siddal Moor Sports College represented Rochdale in the girls under 13 handball events at The Sugden Centre.

Sue Whitehead, Community Sport Manager at Siddal Moor Sports College said: “Our girls managed to win the bronze medal in the handball finals. The students thoroughly enjoyed the event.”

Students from St John’s RC Primary School were involved in netball competitions at Wright Robinson Sports College.

Chris Hickman, Sports Co-ordinator at St John’s, said: “The children really enjoyed the games. They don’t get to play a lot of netball usually so it was a great chance for the team to shine and represent Rochdale.”

There were 13 sports on show, with 23 competitions taking place in total across 8 of Manchester’s World Class Venues.

Competitions included two new sports to this year’s events - dodgeball and softball. They were played alongside athletics, BMX, football, goalball, golf, handball, netball, rounders, rugby union, sitting volleyball and tennis.

The athletes were invited to an opening ceremony which included performances from MDNGHT and Red Sky Noise. Ex-400m runner Daniel Caines inspired the athletes with his own experiences before officially opening the games.