School Games Spring Championships produces a striking display of young sporting talent

Organised by Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport (LRS), 13 competitions across seven sports saw the 10 School Sport & Physical Activity Networks (SSPANs) represented as schools looked to achieve county glory.

Loughborough was the perfect host venue to continue the tradition and showcased some of the finest school sport talent in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. The world class facilities helped to spur on teams who had the finest equipment and facilities at their disposal.

The start saw BBC Radio Leicester's Ian Stringer compere the Opening Ceremony, who was joined on stage with a dancing sequence and mass warm-up performed by the Rutland Youth Dance Academy.

The UEFA Men's Under 17 Championship Trophy was also on display for the young athletes, as Tournament Director Andy Carter spoke to the crowds about the Finals Tournament coming to Loughborough on the 8^th and 10^th of May.

When the Championships started, the action was non-stop as athletes jumped, threw, dodged, spiked and ran their way towards the top spots. The 13 competitions were across seven different sports, including: Sitting Volleyball, Learning Disability Basketball, Boccia, Dodgeball, Indoor Rowing, Volleyball and Sportshall Athletics.

Battling it out for the right to call themselves 'County Champions', four hours of non-stop sporting action produced the highs and lows encouraged by cheering parents, teachers and young leaders. School Games isn't all about the competitive nature and winning. Each competition witnessed great breadth of sportsmanship across the teams to earn a 'Spirit of the Games' award based on its core values: determination, honesty, passion, respect, self-believe and teamwork.

106 teams took part throughout the day, equating to 46 different schools being well represented on the biggest stage in local school sport.

The day concluded with mini-ceremonies at the end of the day in each sport where the trophies and medals were handed out. The mini-ceremony approach meant it was a great opportunity to reflect on team performances and thank all volunteers, young leaders and event staff involved for their tireless efforts to make such a special event a success.

Results - Winners/Spirit of the Games Winners

(See separate Results Document for full results)

Sitting Volleyball

• Winners: North Charnwood
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

Learning Disability Basketball – Pool A

• Winners: West Leicester
• Spirit of the Games Winners: East Leicester

Learning Disability Basketball – Pool B

• Winners: North Charnwood
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

Boccia Key Stage 4 MLD

• Winners: Oadby & Wigston
• Spirit of the Games Winners: West Leicester

Boccia Key Stage 4 SLD

• Winners: Melton & Belvoir
• Spirit of the Games Winners: East Leicester

Dodgeball

• Winners: North West Leicestershire
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Melton & Belvoir

Rowing Year 9

• Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth

Rowing Year 11

• Winners: Blaby & Harborough
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Oadby & Wigston

Sportshall Athletics Year 7 Girls

• Winners: West Leicester
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Blaby & Harborough

Sportshall Athletics Year 7 Boys

• Winners: Hinckley & Bosworth
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Blaby & Harborough

Sportshall Athletics Year 8 Girls

• Winners: Rutland
• Spirit of the Games Winners: North West Leicestershire

Sportshall Athletics Year 8 Boys

• Winners: Oadby & Wigston
• Spirit of the Games Winners: West Leicester

Volleyball Girls

• Winners: Blaby & Harborough
• Spirit of the Games Winners: South Charnwood

Volleyball Boys

• Winners: West Leicester
• Spirit of the Games Winners: Rutland

And in June, even more will have their chance to shine when the School Games Summer Championships is held. The action will switch away from Charnwood for that, with a venue of Uppingham School Sports Centre set to play host to the primary school focused Championships.

School Games action doesn't stop there for Loughborough. The University will again host the National School Games from 30^th August – 2^nd September 2018, where the country's most talented young athletes compete.

The Leicester-Shire & Rutland School Games, now in its seventh year, is part of the national 'School Games Programme'. It aims to keep competitive sport at the heart of schools and provide more young people with the opportunity to compete and achieve their personal best.