Thousands of South Yorkshire school children battle it out for the county's sporting crown

Thousands of South Yorkshire school children took to the track to battle it out to see who could be crowned the county's sporting best.
South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. The Opening Ceremony.South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. The Opening Ceremony.
South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. The Opening Ceremony.

Thousands of South Yorkshire school children took to the track to battle it out to see who could be crowned the county’s sporting best.

Budding young athletes from Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster faced off in nine different events at the English Institute of Sport in Attercliffe in the South Yorkshire School Games Winter Festival.

South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. Pupils from Tapton School in action.South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. Pupils from Tapton School in action.
South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. Pupils from Tapton School in action.
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Thousands of children from 89 South Yorkshire schools took part in nine sports, including basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and athletics.

Sheffield’s trampolining star Bryony Page, who secured Team GB’s first ever Olympic medal in the sport, was also at the event as a special guest.

She also took time out to show school children her medal and signed autographs for young fans.

Ms Page led the Olympic-styled opening ceremony before the sporting festivities kicked off.

South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. St Marie's v Barugh Green Primary in action in the basketball.South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. St Marie's v Barugh Green Primary in action in the basketball.
South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. St Marie's v Barugh Green Primary in action in the basketball.
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The schools and pupils who ran out winners in their respected events will now go onto the UK finals flying the flag for South Yorkshire on the national stage which takes places later this year in Loughborough.

Despite the competitive edge, the event was also about encouraging youngsters to take up a sport they might have taken part on that day.

Event organiser, Simon Pugh from Yorkshire Sport Foundation hailed the event a big success.

He said: “There’s lots of different activities taking place, and it’s nice to see everyone come together to try and be the South Yorkshire champions.

South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. Pupils from Tapton School in action.South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. Pupils from Tapton School in action.
South Yorkshire School Games held at the EIS in Sheffield. Pupils from Tapton School in action.
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“As part of the event we get young people to places like this which are fantastic and they might not otherwise get involved in.

“We also bring in local sports clubs that help deliver some of these activities and from that, we signpost the young people to all those different clubs in their area so they get inspired by a sport which they’ve tried.

“This is all about putting something on for the children, a sport which they might not have played or taken part in before and in turn, they can get involved afterwards at a club near to where they live if they want to.”