South Tyneside pupils embrace the Olympic spirit early to go for gold at summer spectacular

Scores of sporty pupils got geared up for glory to take part in their very own Olympic preview.

A bumper entry list of 500 primary and secondary school children from all over the region - including over 100 from Boldon School, St Aloysius’ RC Junior School, St Bede’s RC Primary School, St Matthew’s RC Primary School, St Wilfred’s RC College and St James’ RC Primary School in South Tyneside - got on their marks for the Tyne and Wear Summer School Games.

Whether they were taking a swing at golf, getting on the start line for athletics or trying their hand at volleyball, the athletes embraced the Olympian spirit.

Willow Simons, aged 15, from Boldon School, was part of the bronze medal-winnig rounders team at Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre in Sunderland.

She said: “love exercise, it keeps you healthy and it’s very social as you get to meet new people.”

The pride of South Tyneside scooped an impressive medal haul, with two gold medals in girls’ cricket and gymnastics, a silver medal in athletics and three bronze medals in boys’ cricket, rounders and gymnastics.

Sofie Lincoln, aged 15 from Boldon School is no stranger to competition having recently been crowned World Champion at the Acrobatic Gymnastics Women’s Trio (13 – 19 age group) in China.

She showed her abilities go beyond the gymnastics floor by taking part in the rounders competition.

She said; “We like coming to the School Games because it is a really friendly event and it’s nice to do something for the school with your friends.”

Claire Lee, School Games Co-ordinator at Tyne & Wear Sport said: “With the Rio 2016 Olympics less than a month away, it has been an excellent opportunity for young people to experience an exciting school sport competition. The School Games has given children across the region the opportunity to embrace sport like never before.”