Exeter hosts 1,000 children for the Devon Winter School Games

The Sports Park on the University of Exeter campus has today played host to over 1,000 primary school children from across the county taking part in the Devon Winter School Games.

Young people from across Devon will today get the chance to compete in a range of sports including netball, rugby, volleyball and hockey as well as the opportunity for young people with pan-disabilities to take part in boccia & goalball events.

The event is part of the national Sainsbury’s School Games programme and for the first time, the event will also give children from primary schools in Devon the opportunity to take part in taster activities.

These include activities including dance, football, handball, rugby and slacklining, which are also on offer to the competitors. The event is also being supported by young volunteers from across the County with over 100 of them stepping forward as ‘Games Maker’ style volunteers to support the day.

Special Guest, Zara Dampney from the team GB Beach Volleyball team will be joining the event to inspire and support the young people on the day.

The highlight of her career came when she represented Team GB in the women’s beach volleyball competition alongside Shauna Mullin at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Zara said: “I want to give so much back to supporting sport because it has taught me so much about myself. Being a Sport England Sporting Champion allows me to do just that by encouraging young people to try and better themselves. My aim is to motivate young people to be the best version of themselves everyday”

Speaking prior to the event, Active Devon Chief Executive Matt Evans, said: “At Active Devon our aim is for everyone in Devon to be active for life.

“We are thrilled that it is anticipated that so many young people will be taking part at all levels of sporting experience and ability.

“With young volunteers also helping at the event, it promises to be a real showcase for the breadth of opportunity afforded by involvement in grassroots sport.

“We are also so pleased that Zara can join us on the day to inspire the young people. We are really looking forward to a fantastic occasion”.

The Games also offers a cultural element by allowing students to take photographs, create videos and report from the event. Finished projects can be entered into a competition to win the chance for their work to be displayed at future games events.