Merseyside School Games 2019 features record attempt

The start of July saw over two thousand children descend on Liverpool for the Merseyside School Games Summer Festival.

Marking the culmination of a year of sport, there was exciting competition across 12 different sports and three sites. Plus, this year’s event featured a very special warm-up: a record attempt for the largest number of school children in Merseyside taking part in The Daily Mile™ in one location at the same time.

Teams from across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral came together at Wavertree Sports Park, Greenbank Sports Academy and Everton Park Sports Centre to compete.

The focus was on enjoyable participation and centred around the six character-building values of the school games: passion, self-belief, respect, honesty, determination and teamwork.

Sports included: boccia, seated volleyball, new age kurling, tri-golf, quadkids athletics, mini red tennis, girls’ rugby, girls’ football, high 5 netball, futsal, dodgeball and swimming

Organisers were keen to make sure that schools which normally do The Daily Mile™ as part of their school day didn’t have to miss out when attending the Merseyside School Games.

The Daily Mile™ is a simple initiative, that’s free for schools and ensures children get regular exercise as part of their normal school day, so as well as giving schools not already signed up the chance to try it, this record attempt was also an opportunity to be a part of something special.

A new record, for the most Merseyside school children in one place doing The Daily Mile™ was set at 1028 children.

The event was made possible by Sport England and National Lottery funding and organised by Merseyside Sports Partnership (MSP).

MSP’s school games officer, Amy Fisher said: “The Merseyside School Games are the highlight of the sports calendar for schools. MSP is delighted to deliver this event, which aims to enrich lives and develop life skills.

“We know that by developing sport and physical activity habits in childhood we are increasing the chance that they will go on to become adults who enjoy not only good physical health, but also great mental health.

“If schools aren’t already involved in the school games programme they can find out more at www.yourschoolgames.com . Plus, any schools wanting to sign up to The Daily Mile™ can visit www.thedailymile.co.uk to get started”