May 25, 2023

This week, Active Cumbria hosted the Cumbria School Games Panathlon Challenge - an inclusive multi-sport event for children and young people with disabilities and special education needs. 

Over 100 children and young people participated in a range of 7 activities including Boccia, table cricket and long jump. The day included two sessions - primary children in the morning and secondary in the afternoon. 

Organised by Active Cumbria, the Active Partnership for Cumbria hosted by Cumberland Council, the event was very much in-line with the mission of the School Games which is to keep sport at the heart of schools in Cumbria providing young people with opportunities to achieve their personal best and support their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing through sport and physical activity.

Primary schools attending the festival included St Martin and St Mary, Windermere, St Pius x Catholic Primary, Barrow, Broughton Primary School, Cockermouth, Kingmoor Junior School, Carlisle, St Bridget's Catholic Primary, Egremont, Plumpton Schoo, Nr Penrith.  Secondary schools included: Oversands School, Grange, Ullswater Community College, Penrith, Netherhall School, Maryport, Richard Rose Central Academy, Carlisle, Cumbria Academy for Autism and Appleby Grammar School.

In addition to the participants, young people from William Howard School attended as Sports Leaders to assist with leading and officiating, to helping develop their skills and confidence in teamwork and leadership.

Cumbria School Games are delivered in partnership with School Games Organisers, schools, clubs, national governing bodies of sport and local partners and are sponsored by The Cumberland and BBC Radio Cumbria.

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 sports events, all children and young people attending the festival received a reusable drinks bottle and water was provided to top up regularly throughout the day.  And where possible, event resources and supplies are sourced sustainably.

Click here for more information about Cumbria School Games