Merseyside School Games 2017 Kicks And Vaults Off With Girls’ Football And Gymnastics Finals

LAST week saw primary and secondary schools from the 6 boroughs of Merseyside battle it out to be crowned champions in the first of the Merseyside School Games 2017 events. The Years 5&6 and 7&8 Girls’ Football and Year 3&4 Gymnastics began a series of competitions which will take place between March and July under the Merseyside School Games banner. Run jointly by Merseyside’s School Games Organisers and MSP, this series of county-level events is the culmination of months of preparation by organisers, competitors and schools alike. Those schools competing had already beat off stiff competition from other schools in their respective boroughs to secure their place at the Merseyside School Games, meaning even those not placed for a medal were still amongst the ‘best of the best’ on Merseyside. Years 5&6 and 7&8 Girls’ Football   The Girls’ Football Competitions were run by the Liverpool County Football Association. Competitors got the chance to play at an elite facility – namely Halton Select Security Stadium – which is not only the home of Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club, but also Liverpool Ladies FC and Everton Ladies FC home ground. They were also treated to appearances from members of both Everton Ladies FC and Liverpool Ladies FC, who presented trophies and medals, but also took questions from them as part of a mock press conference designed to show the girls exactly what it takes to have a career in all areas of football. In attendance were Claudia Walker, Amber Stobbs and Meghan Wood from Everton Ladies FC and Vicky Jepson from Liverpool Ladies FC. Year 5&6 Girls’ Football results:

• Winners – Malvern Primary School
• Silver – Churchtown Primary School
• Bronze – Rainford CE
• Spirit of the Games Award – Lingham Primary School

Years 7&8 Girls’ Football results:

• Winners – Chesterfield High School
• Silver – Rainford High School
• Bronze – Calderstones School
• Spirit of the Games Award – Savio Salesian College

Year 3&4 Gymnastics: The Gymnastics competition was run by St Helen’s Gymnastics Academy. The event was held in the top class gymnastics facility at Lifestyles Park Road, where Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle trained. As well as enjoying high quality competition the participants also had the chance to enjoy an inspiring performance by a senior member of St Helen’s Gymnastics Academy. Gymnastics results

• Winners – Scarisbrick Hall School
• Silver – Aintree Davenhill Primary School
• Bronze – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary
• Spirit of the Games Award – St Michael and All Angels School

Speaking about the event Chair of the Merseyside School Games Operational Group, David Sweeney, said: “The competitions have been a fantastic start to this year’s Merseyside School Games. The standard of participants has once again proved extremely high and we believe the total experience the competitions offered will prove a memorable milestone for each and every young person who competed. With such a great start to the 2017 season I can’t wait for the other Merseyside School Games events taking place in June and July.” Further information about the Merseyside School Games and future results will appear on the following web page between now and July: http://www.merseysidesport.com/participation/school-games/school-games-2017/ The 2017 School Games is supported nationally by a range of partners including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England, Youth Sport Trust, Department of Health and British Paralympic Association. For more information, including how schools can get involved, visit www.yourschoolgames.com.