Whilst lockdowns and isolations may have stopped the School Games usual programme of face to face competitive events and festivals, it hasn’t been able to stop the sporting spirit and the physical activity of the Tynedale Schools.

The summer lockdown saw face to face events cancelled but the School Games Programme adapted posting daily activities to pupils in school and at home.

There were two big school challenges run across the county and the area which encouraged schools and families to compete to build up their schools’ steps and miles and keep active and many schools and parents got involved in this in Tynedale via the Northumberland School Games Facebook page.

The autumn term saw the introduction of a Virtual School Games Competition Programme across the country and all of the Northumberland School Games areas came together to plan a varied and balanced programme of virtual competition that would have maximum impact on participation regardless of children’s differing needs but respecting the covid times we are living in.

Tynedale Schools have come up trumps once again reported School Games organiser for Tynedale, Helen Robson.

Last term Northumberland School Games have been running cricket challenges at Years 3 and 4, Athletics challenges at Years 5 and 6, badminton at Year 8, table tennis at Year 10 and a virtual leadership programme at Year 12.

There was a phenomenal response especially at primary age with 20 Tynedale teams taking part in the cricket and 13 teams in the athletics, and Bellingham Middle School, are currently leading the way in the Year 8 badminton with their school winners Emma and Bob already announced.

Winners of each of these competitions will qualify for the county level of the School Games.

Winning the Y3 and Y4 Cricket challenge were Broomley First School and a close second were Whitfield Primary School whose PE lead Lewis Flanagan commented, that the children thoroughly enjoyed the cricket and have been batting and bowling at break times ever since.

A very important well done too to all schools who took part in the the cricket, Adderlane Academy; Allendale Primary; Bellingham Primary; Broomley First; Chollerton First; Corbridge First; Greenhaugh Primary; Haltwhistle Academy; Hexham First; Humshaugh First; Sele First with all six KS2 classes taking part; Slaley First; St Matthew’s RC Primary ( 2 teams) and Whitfield Primary. A further well done to the Athletics schools awaiting their results: Corbridge Middle ( 3 teams); Ovingham Middle (2 teams); St Matthew’s RC Primary ( 2 teams) ; Allendale Primary; Haltwhistle Primary; Whitfield Primary and Greenhaugh Primary.