Registration for Glasgow Youth Games "Take off"
29 March 2012
Registration for Glasgow Youth Games "Take off"
Registrations for the Glasgow Youth Games in association with Glasgow Airport has taken off.
Children and staff from Shawlands Primary School opened entries by becoming the first to sign up for the 2012 event. They are encouraging fellow pupils and teachers across the city to join them in enrolling for Scotland’s largest youth games.
Launched in 1996, the Glasgow Youth Games aim to raise the profile of sport within schools. There is a dedicated Secondary school event on 18 May and a separate Primary school event on 25 May. Both provide thousands of children regardless of their ability, the chance to compete in a large scale sporting occasion.
Every single Primary 5, 6 and 7 and all secondary school children in Glasgow will receive an invitation from organisers Glasgow Life via a network of Active Schools co-ordinators. Over 2,500 youngsters are expected to enjoy everything from athletics to volleyball, when they are given the opportunity to participate in ‘come and try’ sessions in any one of 13 sports. The games take place at two of the city’s world-class sporting venues, Scotstoun Stadium and the Kelvin Hall International Sporting Arena.
The spirit of the games is fun, with an emphasis on taking part. Every child, not just the first across the line, receives a medal and t-shirt for participating in the games. In the year of 2012 and in keeping with Glasgow’s status as an Olympic City the organisers will give each school a nominated Olympic country. Schools will then be invited to learn about that nation and come along to the event with banners representing their ‘host’ country.
Headteacher of Shawlands Primary School, Elaine Hutton, said: “These games are so important. For many of our pupils this is their first opportunity to join in a sporting occasion on this grand scale. The feedback after last year’s event was wonderful; the kids were bright red, but beaming from ear to ear and keen to show off their medals. But most importantly it encouraged many of the children to carry on with the sports they tried.
“I would wholeheartedly encourage all schools in the city to sign up for what is always a great day”
This will be the 9th year Glasgow Airport has sponsored the event.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “We are immensely proud of our long standing association with the Glasgow Youth Games, which is one of the city’s biggest sporting events.
“As we move closer towards the Olympic Games, we have a great opportunity to inspire young people to take up sport and I would strongly encourage schools throughout the Glasgow area to get involved and register. Not only is the Youth Games great fun for those involved, it also helps promote competition and team work and encourages young people to adopt a healthier lifestyle.”
Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor George Redmond said: “2012 is going to be an incredible year for sport. But we want future years to be as promising and the only way we can do that is by engaging our children in physical activity. As we look forward to the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games in 2014 the Youth Games is the perfect vehicle for exciting Glasgow’s schoolchildren about sport.
“I had the pleasure of attending last year and I can still recall the many smiling faces of children delighted to be taking part. I would urge all teachers, parents and children to get your school involved in one of the city’s sporting highlights.”
You can register by calling 0141 287 4030 or by emailing youthgames@glasgowlife.org.uk, registrations close on 4 May.
