The Hampshire Games is a school and grassroots multi-sports competition for six to 18 year olds and is one of the largest sports festivals of its kind in the country with over 3,000 young people taking part. The Games, organised by Sport Hampshire and Isle of Wight in partnership with the Hampshire Schools Federation, are in their 15th year. This prestigious event offers many youngsters their first taste of a large-scale sports competition and this year approximately 200 young people from Basingstoke and Deane are expected to take part including many pupils from the borough’s special schools. This year’s event will see multiple different sports competitions taking place at Aldershot Military Sports Facilites on 21 and 22 June 2013.
Hampshire Games 2012
Both days of hard fought competition were kicked off in style with some awe inspiring welcoming ceremonies for the athletes. Children had the chance to meet some truly inspirational local stars of British sport including Paralympic Goalball player Adam Knott, England netballer Mia Ritchie, Wheelchair Basketball player Helen Turner and the Britain’s Got Talent finalists Kai Widdrington and Natalia Jeved who put on an impressive show of Latin and Ballroom dancing. Young people were also lucky enough to meet the Olympic and Paralympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville!
Pupils from Dove House, Limington House and Maple Ridge Schools were among those competing in the inclusive competitions on day one, (15 June) with Dove House’s athletics team and year seven and eight football teams beating off tough opposition to win silver medals. While a team of year five and six pupils from Maple Ridge bagged a bronze medal in their football competition.
The borough was well represented in the schools competitions throughout the whole weekend. Woolton Hill Junior School achieved bronze in the tri-golf competition, Marnell Junior School won gold in the netball and Oakley Junior School and North Waltham Primary School tied for third place in the tag rugby event.
Several grassroots community teams once again relished the chance to compete at the event on Saturday 16 June. A team from Sherfield Oaks Golf Club represented Basingstoke and Deane in the golf competition and they did well to hold their own against tough opposition. Summit School of Judo organised a team of youngsters who represented the borough in a long day of competition. Their hard work paid off when the team took home one silver and two bronze medals. The Hampshire Games also provided the first taste of competition for 10 young people from the Kim Chapman Swim School who swam themselves to a very impressive silver medal whilst two teams of representatives from Bounty Squash Club fought their way to silver and bronze medals.
Cabinet Member for Communities, Sport and Culture Cllr Elaine Still said: “For many of the young people taking part in the Hampshire Games it would have been their first taste of a large-scale sports competition and I am thrilled to see how well they have performed. The impressive results are a real credit to both the pupils and the volunteers who helped to train and accompany the teams to the event.
“In what is a fantastic year for sport in this county I hope this event will help to encourage young people in the borough to join our excellent sports clubs as participants or even as officials.”
It is hoped many competitors will be inspired to join clubs and even strive for Olympic or Paralympic success. Involvement in the Hampshire Games forms part of the borough’s Olympic strategy. If you are interested in getting involved in any Olympic activities including legacy projects please call 01256 844844 or email goingforgold@basingstoke.gov.uk.
