The School Games National Finals is a biennial four-day multi-sport event for young athletes of school age and is funded by Sport England National Lottery Funding and backed by all the Home Country Sports Councils and UK Sport. Together the Sport England Talent and Performance team and the Youth Sport Trust, working closely with National Governing Body and system stakeholders have re-shaped the 2024 School Games National Finals programme to ensure that it best contributes to two strategic aims which are important to all those responsible for the sporting ecosystem across the UK:
Providing positive experiences for children and young people – the Games seeks to lead the way in role modelling how this can be achieved through competitive sport and major events.
Tackling Inequalities – working with the sports to catalyse novel, contemporary approaches to broaden access to talent pathways for athletes from more diverse backgrounds. Such as adjusting their selection policies and integrating new approaches and methodologies which embed inclusive practice.
1,000 school-age athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland competed at venues across Loughborough University campus/area, Derby, and Donnington.
Modern Pentathlon was included in the School Games for the third time and we were very proud that Rhys E (Y9) and Travis M (Y10) were selected to take part this year. They travel by coach to Loughborough University where they are looked after by Pentathlon GB Staff and volunteers for the weekend. On Friday they had the tetrathlon relays with a partner - Rhys in the U15 age group and Travis in the U17 age group (although should really be in the U15s). Rhys and his partner performed well enough over the day, with the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) followed by swimming and finally the laser run event, to earn the bronze medal. Travis and his partner finished in 10th place – both racing an age group up. Saturday was the individual tetrathlon competition with both Rhys and Travis finishing in 6th place in their respective age groups. Both of them earned team medals as part of their School Games teams. It is a big privilege to be invited to compete at these Games and this shows the talent both boys have. On Sunday was a fencing competition, which Rhys participated in, having a very successful day on the piste.
Miss Michelle Matson
Head of Swimming and Modern Pentathlon