Despite the terrible weather on Sunday everybody seemed to enjoy the Games. Sports stars, Maggie Alphonsi and Mark Richardson, got stuck in with the 800 youngsters, taking part in sports, signing autographs and answering questions.Maggie blew the whistle for the first Tag Rugby game to start the six sports competitions for youngsters from across the county, where they battled it out in heavy downpours to be crowned winners of 2008.
Over 50 volunteers, wearing red 'here to help' polo shirts helped set up the Games, made sure it ran smoothly and encouarged the kids taking part. They did a great job and we couldn't have done it with out them.
The rain started very early on in the morning, which meant the opening ceremony was a wash out and the cricket competition cancelled! Luckily for the participants the rain eased during competitions, but began aagin just before the medal presentations.. typical! Mark Richardson presented the 1st and 2nd placed teams with their medals and trophies, he commented: “I have really enjoyed the event today, it is a great success and the youngsters seemed to relish it!”
The Oxfordshire Youth Games, sponsored by BRITA Water Filter Systems Ltd, Waitrose Abingdon and Oxford’s FM107.9 and JACKfm, is a multi sports competition organised by the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership core team and partners.
The Oxfordshire Youth Games is about getting young people in to sports they don’t normally get the chance to do and encouraging them to do more physical activity, contributing to the recommended amount of 1 hour a day.Although medals and trophies are awarded for the 8 districts on the day the over all emphasis is on fun and participation and all competitors are winners by getting active and enjoying sport!
Picture: Maggie Alphonsi (Rugby) and Mark Richardson (Athletics) signing autographs with the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire and a District Councillor.
