Over 800 children and young people will be descending on Carlisle to take part in the 2024 Cumbria School Games.
At the city’s Sheepmount Athletics Stadium, Sands Centre, and University of Cumbria, the games take place on Thursday, June 27.
School teams from years three to eight will take part in one of several sports including golf, dodgeball, orienteering, and dance.
There will also be boccia, cricket and multi-skills activities including archery, trail race, obstacle course, crossbow, multi-skills challenges, and new for 2024, tug of war.
An opening ceremony will be held at the Sheepmount Athletics Stadium providing a festival atmosphere. Children from Moresby School will be performing a dance routine at the opening ceremony.
Special guest, former champion pair skater David King will greet all the participants as part of the opening ceremony.
David, of Carlisle represented Great Britain and is an eight-time British national champion.
Around 100 young people from schools including Maryport’s Netherhall School, Whitehaven Academy, Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, Furness Academy and Windermere’s Lakes School have been trained in various roles to lead and officiate at the event.
The young leader’s role is to co-ordinate activities and to encourage participation in line with the school games values of determination, teamwork, honesty, respect, passion, self-belief and eco-friendly.
Sponsored by The Cumberland the event is organised by Active Cumbria and delivered in partnership with school games organisers, schools, clubs, national governing bodies of sport and local partners.
Kirsty Williamson, Active Cumbria development officer and children and young people lead (education), said: “The Cumbria School Games County festival is a real highlight in our events calendar.
“It brings together schools from across the county and provides an opportunity for more children and young people to engage in positive activity to support their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing and achieve their personal best.
“We are especially pleased to offer a range of activities designed specifically to include children with SEND.
“We would like to thank event sponsors The Cumberland for their support in making the event possible – it’s going to an energetic and fun day.”
Kelly Ashbridge, The Cumberland, external communication manager, said: “We are proud to be returning as sponsors of the Cumbria School Games.
“As an organisation, we are fully committed to deliver our purpose of kinder banking and to support local communities.
“The Cumbria School Games aligns with our aims of supporting projects which develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities, and attributes, which young people need for mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing now and in the future.
“Their mission of aiming to tackle inactivity in a positive and engaging way also aligns well with our ethos around health and wellbeing.”
In support of Active Cumbria’s commitment to Kick out Plastic in Sports, a national campaign which aims to reduce the amount of single use plastics at major sports events, all children and young people attending the event will receive a reusable drinks bottle and water will be provided to top up regularly throughout the day.
Where possible, event resources and supplies have been sourced sustainably.
