Local communities show support for nation's young athletes

Local communities show support for nation's young athletes

18 July 2014

Thousands of people have been getting behind our future sports stars taking part in this year’s Sainsbury’s School Games as the 'Show your Support' tour bus travelled the length and breadth of the country rallying support from local communities.

So far, the dedicated tour bus has parked up at Sainsbury’s stores in Kent, Norfolk, Berkshire, Nottingham and Manchester, giving local people the chance to meet those taking part in the Sainsbury’s School Games, a competition which has world-class names among its alumni, including Paralympian gold-medal winners Ellie Simmonds and sprinter, Jonnie Peacock.

Visitors to the bus were asked to pledge messages of support to young athletes via twitter #2014SSG with hundreds of messages being posted up and down the country, and specific shout-outs to athletes competing in a whole range of sports.

The Sainsbury’s School Games Festivals have taken place in every county in England over the last two weeks, each seeing around 1,000 young athletes competing in sports such as: Table Tennis, Netball, Football, Cricket, Rounders, Golf, Tag Rugby, Quadkids Athletics, Pop Lacrosse, Boccia, Basketball, Tennis and Dodgeball. 

The events, designed to give young athletes a flavour of a high-profile sporting event, are festivals complete with an opening ceremony. Many were attended by former Olympic athletes and professional sports stars, who were on hand to show their backing and support for competing pupils.

The Sainsbury’s School Games is backed by National Lottery funding through Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust. The Games are also supported by The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Health and British Paralympic Association.

The tour bus visited stores at Bybrook (Kent), Longwater Lane (Norfolk), Calcot (Berkshire), Castle Boulevard (Nottinghamshire), and Hazel Grove (Manchester).

To find out more or send a message of support please visit www.yourschoolgames.com or tweet #2014SSG.