Pupils scoop medals at schools 'Olympics'

THE balloons go up . . . Oldham's gold medal winning hockey star Nicola White opens the Games

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OLDHAM youngsters were crowned champions in a schools version of the Olympics.

More than 2,000 school pupils took part in the 2017 Greater Manchester's Winter School Games at venues across the region.

Oldham bagged a host of medals with New Bridge School winning the disability rugby union under 16 and Under 19 competitions, and Newman RC College presented with their gold handball medals by 2012 handball Olympian Holly Lam-Moores.

Christ Church came first in the gymnastics Year 1/2 competition and Mills Hill won the Year 3/4 category. Crompton House took bronze in handball girls, Hodge Clough took silver in lacrosse with Delph third, and Newman College took third in table tennis under 15s.

The opening ceremony at Sport City's Indoor Athletics Arena saw Oldham's Olympic Gold Medallist, hockey player Nicola White open the games with a special This Girl Can dance performed by schools around the district. World-class facilities from around the county were utilised for the games, including the National Cycling Centre, Sport City and the National Basketball Performance Centre

Competitions took place in athletics, basketball, boccia, gymnastics, handball, hockey, lacrosse, netball, rugby league, rugby union, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and water polo.

There were 179 young volunteers who formed the School Games crew, including 14 from Oldham. Responsibilities of the volunteers on the day included refereeing, officiating and team management. The Games also welcomed gymnastics star Beth Tweddle, elite boccia player Dan Wain, handball Olympian Holly Lam-Moores and water polo Olympian Hazel Musgrove, who spurred on the athletes.

Matt Stocks, development manager (children & young people) at GreaterSport and part of the organising committee for the games, said: "What a fantastic day of school sport competition! It was wonderful to see so many schools from across Greater Manchester participating."

Nicola White said: "It was brilliant to see such a huge turnout for the Greater Manchester School Games. It's wonderful to see how opportunities have evolved and expanded since I was young competing in the GM Youth Games."