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Once again in 2007, the Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Championships attracted a large involvement from the District's schools. Each of the Secondary Schools, through the work of their School Sports Co-Ordinators, were invited to host an event, in which their clusters were then to take part. This meant that there were 9 heats run across the District during the early part of 2007.
Sportshall Athletics, for those that are not familiar with the concept, is a fun, adapted version of the traditional outdoor track and field athletics, which is based within a Sportshall environment. These events are primarily run throughout the winter months and are used as an ideal opportunity for athletics to become an all year round sport. Athletes are given the opportunity to under take a variety of events including relays, standing long jump, standing triple jump and soft javelin.
Across the 9 heats there were a number of schools getting involved in the programme for the first time, whilst a large number of schools returned for their annual festival. Each school involved brought with them between 25 and 30 children (a mixture of boys and girls), to a series of venue's which would host a competition involving 5, 6 or 7 teams at a time. From the 2 hour programme the winners of each heat were then invited through to the Stratford-on-Avon District Final which was held at the Stratford Leisure and Visitor Centre on Thursday 22nd March 2007.
The Stratford-on-Avon District Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Championship final brought together the best 9 teams from each of the areas. Each of the teams had improved dramatically from the heats, due to a lot of practicing and through good organisation from their teachers. The children involved had a variety of previous experiences. Some were taking part for the first time; some had been involved the previous year, whereas others were 'hardened professionals' following their regular competitions for Stratford-on-Avon Athletics Club. Each school though started on a level playing field.
For the final, Sara McGreavy, one of Great Britain's leading women sprint hurdlers, and 5th at last years European Indoor Athletics Championships over 60m hurdles, was on hand to cheer on the athletes, as well as pass on her expert tips and experiences of Sportshall Athletics.
The final was a spectacle to behold. 9 teams packed into Stratford Leisure and Visitor Centre, all with plenty of support from family members and friends. After 2 and a half hour's of gruelling competition, with some outstanding performances throughout, the 2006 County Champions, St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, once again took the honours as Stratford-on-Avon District champions. But credit must go to all teams for making it such a great event.
From here, St Gregory's went on to represent Stratford-on-Avon District in the County Final which was held at Coventry Sports Centre on Thursday 26th April. Here they came up across the winners from the Coventry City Finals, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Final, North Warwickshire Borough Final, Warwick District Final, Solihull Borough Final and Rugby Borough Final.
Each team in their own right had performed tremendously to make it this far, but St Gregory's had the extra incentive of defending the crown they had won the previous year. Unfortunately 2007 wasn't to be their year, but they pushed the eventual winners, Paddox Primary School from Rugby, all the way.
This year they will be looking to take revenge, and the 2008 Primary School Championships is nearly upon us. Schools are busily practicing ahead of the upcoming competitions. Will St Gregory's defend their Stratford District title once more? Or will there be an up and coming team ready to take them on? We will find out in the upcoming months. But first things first, to qualify for the final they will have to come through one of the heats.
Each team will be looking to go out and enjoy themselves. Some will take it a little more serious than others, but whatever their aim, the 2008 championships looks to be bigger and better than ever.
2008 Championship dates:
Monday 14th January - Southam (pm)
Tuesday 15th January - Studley (am)
Tuesday 15th January - Shipston (pm)
Thursday 17th January - Stratford (am & pm)
Friday 18th January - Alcester
Tuesday 22nd January - Kineton
Thursday 24th January - Henley
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