IT is an exciting year for the Essex School Games, as the event coincided with the celebrations for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

The games, which took place at the Basildon Sporting Village, saw more than 600 pupils from 38 schools take part in a wide range of events and sporting activities, including Sports Hall Athletics Essex County Finals, Panathlon and a new Commonwealth Games inspired activity carousel.

Along with the Summer School Games, more than 200 children from 16 Essex schools took part in the sixth Special School Games, hosted by the Multi-Schools Council in collaboration with Active Essex.

The inclusive event is designed for students with special needs or disabilities who are encouraged to compete in a range of sports and activities, from Archery and Quad Athletics to New Age Kurling and Boccia.

Both events were supported by Essex All Together ambassadors and young leaders from New Rickstones Academy, the Deanes Secondary School, James Hornsby and William de Ferrers School.

Jason Fergus, Director of Active Essex said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to see the students of Essex both competing at and supporting our Essex School Games, inspired by Birmingham 2022.

"Co-designed by Active Essex, School Games Organisers and young people, and with the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, it’s events like these that help to inspire and provide new opportunities for children who don’t typically engage in competition.”

“As part of the systems strategy and Active Essex’s contribution to Fit for the Future, we want to ensure every child in Essex, Southend and Thurrock has the best start in life, whereby they are active, healthy and happy.

"These School Games events aim to champion and inspire inclusive and accessible activity.”

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