Busy start to the year for sporty Chesterfield school pupils

At the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership, the start of the Spring term marked the return of Sportshall Athletics for primary schools.

Always one of the most popular events, it is an indoor form of track and field for children and the largest competition within the School Games framework.

In the first qualifier, Hady and Hollingwood primaries came out on top, shortly followed by Brampton Primary and Old Hall Juniors the next day.

In the final two qualifiers, Hasland and Spire Junior schools made it through, with Brockwell Junior’s ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams completing the line-up.

The top teams will meet again later in the term at the Chesterfield Finals Day which will be held at the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

We’ve also been busy in secondary schools, with the Key Stage 3 and 4 badminton competition engaging over 200 pupils this month. Both boys and girls got to pit their wits against local school rivals in singles and doubles matches.

In the Key Stage 3 finals there was success for Netherthorpe boys and Hasland girls. These two teams will be joined by the Key Stage 4 winners, which will be decided early in February, before going on to represent Chesterfield at the County Finals.

Our largest event of January came on Wednesday, January 27 as over 180 nine to 11-year-olds were treated to a motivational introduction to Sports Leadership at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

The Young Leaders left the Bronze Young Ambassador Conference 2016 equipped with skills and ideas to go back to their schools and run their own sports events.

The conference focussed on maximising inclusion, making events engaging and publicising their work.

Olivia, of Highfield Hall, said: “I thought Boccia was a very inclusive game and I thought the leader running it did a great job.”

Millie, from Dunston Primary, said: “I learned a lot and enjoyed it, it was amazing fun and exciting.”

Teachers have been busy with workshops too, including two delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

Added to which, we have been to six primary schools a week providing one-to-one PE support.

February is set to be just as busy as Sportshall Athletics is expanded to include secondary schools.

There’s also Indoor Rowing, infant cycle training and much more.

For news, events and photos visit www.chesterfieldssp.co.uk