Village Olympics showpiece proves to be another 'roaring' success

The Saddleworth Village Olympics, which closed on Sunday, were described as a “roaring success” by Stephen Hewitt, the event’s chairman.

The event ended with a football tournament for the years 3-4 and 5-6, with some great skills on show by the boys and girls, with the bronze medal match in the year 3-4 age group going to a penalty shootout.

This year’s games saw over 1,000 children take part again across all the different sports and the central committee would like to thank all the children who took part and look forward to seeing them again in 2025 - the 40th anniversary of the games.

Thanks also go to all team leaders, coaches, and admin staff, plus all the umpires and referee’s who ensured all the events took place this year.

And thanks went to all the venues who’ve allowed organisers to host the games this year: Saddleworth School, Saddleworth Pool, Uppermill Cricket Club, Greenfield Cricket Club, Thame Valley Tennis and Squash Club and Oasis Academy in Lees Brook.

Special thanks went to the sponsors, whose generous sponsorship allows the games to take place.

All parents who kindly donated when registering their children also means funds are in place to ensure the games can go ahead.

If you’d like to sponsor or donate, please visit the website: https://www.saddleworthvillageolympics.co.uk/ 

If you’d like to volunteer for next year’s games, visit the website.

The winners have now been crowned for the junior and senior age groups, plus the Frank Sykes Fair Play Award, and the winners will be informed at their upcoming presentation nights.

You can also watch the opening ceremony on the link here

Special thanks to Chris Chandler for putting this video together.

Mr Hewitt said: “Well that’s it for another year of the Saddleworth Village Olympics and it’s been another roaring success.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved from coaches, parents, team leaders, umpires/referee’s, central committee members, venues, and sponsors for all their hard work in 2024.

“It’s now time for a well-earned rest after all the presentation nights have taken place and we’ll be back in 2025 for our 40th anniversary looking to once again make the games bigger and better than ever before.

“I’d also like to thank local celebrity and Oldham Athletic Chairman Frank Rothwell for opening the games for us - his stories of his adventures crossing the Atlantic were great to hear.

“Thanks to all our food venders for all their support this year.

"I talked about the year of the Olympics as the games took place in Paris, France and I’m sure if the International Olympic Committee saw what we’ve all achieved they’d be amazed.

"Thanks once again and see you all in 2025.”

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