YOUNG sports stars from the district took on opponents from across the county at the Northumberland Schools Games Festival.

And there was an Olympian on hand to welcome the children as they arrived at Cramlington Learning Village

Craig Heap, who captained England’s gymnastic team to gold at the Commonwealth Games in both 1998 and 2002, and competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was there to inspire the stars of the future.

He said: “I am always delighted to attend the Northumberland School Games Festival, giving me the opportunity to share my experiences with the next generation of young athletes and support them with their performances on the day.”

Participants aged between six and 15 took part in 12 different sports, including athletics, tennis, gymnastics, rounders and golf, at the eighth annual event, organised by Northumberland Sport.

Lee Sprudd, a Northumberland Sport director, said: “School Games is designed to provide meaningful inclusive opportunities for all school children to take part in competitive sport, so it was great to see so many children, of all ages and abilities taking part in our festival this year and really enjoying themselves.”

The festival, which was funded by the National Lottery, and supported by the Youth Sport Trust, also saw the launch of the Daily Mile campaign in Northumberland. The games also saw the launch of the Design a Cycling Jersey competition, ahead of this year’s Tour of Britain. The competition closes on July 15. To enter visit northumberland.gov.uk/ToBjersey.

RESULTS:

Note: All local schools represented Tynedale, with the exception of Ponteland Schools, which represented Morpeth and Ponteland.

Year 3/4. Gymnastics. 1, Ponteland West Academy. Tri golf: 1, Ponteland Primary; 3, Newbrough Primary. Tag Rugby: Ponteland Primary. Athletics: 2, Beaufront First School, Hexham.

Year 4. Tennis: 1, Darras Hall Primary School; 3, The Sele First School, Hexham.

Year 5. Hockey: 1, Ovingham Middle; 2, Ponteland Primary. Boys’ football: 1, Richard Coates Middle School, Ponteland; 2, Hexham Middle.

Year 5/6. Mixed tag rugby: 1, Ovingham Middle School. Athletics: 1, Ovingham Middle; 2, Ponteland Middle. Girls’ football: 2, Ovingham Middle.

Year 6. Hockey: 1, Ponteland Middle. Netball: 3, Richard Coates Middle. Netball: 3, Richard Coates Middle.

Year 7/8. Girls’ volleyball: 1, Ponteland Academy; 3, St Joseph’s RC Middle School, Hexham. Boys’ volleyball: 3, St Joseph’s RC Middle.

Year 8. Netball: 1, Richard Coates Middle; 2, Highfield Middle School, Prudhoe. Handball: 1, Ovingham Middle; 2, Ponteland Middle.

Year 9/10. Rounders: 1, Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham.