2 Golds and a Silver was an excellent outcome for the efforts of our teams participating in the School Games National Finals.
It was a fantastic weekend of basketball action with running 3X3 joining the well-established wheelchair basketball on the calendar of events.
Aligning with our strategic objectives, the School Games aims to “provide positive experiences for children and young people” and “tackle inequalities”. The positive experiences were enhanced for 75% of our teams as the running and wheelchair girls, and the wheelchair boys all medalled.
For some, it was their first experience of a multi-sports event. With 1,500 athletes competing in 11 sports from across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland the atmosphere all event was electric, with fiercely contested games on the court and fun and connection off the court. Our athletes rose to the occasion, conducting themselves in an exemplary manner away from competition and giving their all on the court.
Pool games, quarter and semi-finals were contested over Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning was all about the Finals at Loughborough University’s The Ball Park. And it was exciting to see three of the four finals featuring a Scottish team. For the running game Girls and the Wheelchair Boys, they ended the tournament on top of the podium.
A three medal haul, consisting of two golds and a silver was an outstanding achievement for our teams. Whilst it is always nice to win medals, the overall experience will hopefully also be of benefit to those who took to the court. Proving it was not only about winning medals for your country, we also had a few players gracing the “ENGSCO” team in the wheelchair competition, highlighting the inclusive nature of the event.
122 athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics had previously competed at the School Games. Could we see some of our 3X3 players gracing the Olympic court with Great Britain in the future?
The School Games website has kindly shared access to all the photos from the weekend. Here is the link: School Games Photos
The School Games National Finals is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and National Governing Bodies, hosted by Loughborough University and funded by Sport England and players of the National Lottery.
The event is backed by all the Home Country Sports Councils, UK Sport, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Healthy and Social Care.
