Gymnasts display skills at Hexham event

No fewer than 19 schools were represented in the competition, at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre, where the young participants performed in front of a judging panel from Active Northumberland.

Having worked hard in the build-up to the event, the children put on well-rehearsed displays of movement, balance and other gymnastics skills.

The youngsters, aged between seven and eight years old, excelled at the Tynedale School Games event, and Damien Dimmick, the district’s School Games organiser, was delighted with the turnout.

He said: “It was fantastic that such a large number of children took part across the day. All of the children performed incredibly well and were a credit to their individual schools and teachers.”

Northumberland county councillor for Hexham East, Coun. Cath Homer, a cabinet member with responsibility for leisure, said: “The event has given the young people a wonderful opportunity to display their gymnastic skills in a fun and creative way.

“The children have been working incredibly hard to put together their routines which they delivered with energy and passion.”

The event was a qualifying competition, and the winners, Prudhoe West Academy, will go on to represent Tynedale at the Northumberland Schools Games county finals later this year.

Hexham First School were second, while Hexham’s Sele First School was closely behind in third place. Individual awards were also handed out on the day.

Active Northumberland’s PE and school sport team was supported by staff from Tynedale Gymnastics Club, in organising the event.

The competition was part of the national School Games programme, which aims to motivate and inspire young people to take part in competitive school sport.

The programme is open to all young people aged 6 to18 years, of all abilities, and is available to every school across Northumberland.

For more information about the initiative visit the website: https://www.yourschoolgames.com/