MegaMAT Games launches

The achievements of young sporting superstars was recognised at the launch of a new primary school competition.

Thirteenschools took part in the inaugural Primary MegaMAT Games organised by Chetwynde School and supported by South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust (SCMAT).

They were Chetwynde, Holy Family, Parkside Academy, Yarlside Academy, St Columba’s, Newbarns, Sir John Barrow, South Walney Juniors, Roose School, St James’ Juniors, St Pius X Catholic Primary School, Victoria Academy and Dane Ghyll.

The first in the series of MegaMAT Games events was a cross country event at Chetywnde, which joined the Furness College-led SCMAT in September, with four races for pupils from Year 3 to Year 6.

The overall winners of the four races were Winter Rose, from St Pius, Olly Swarbrick and Imogen Moore, both from Yarlside, and Harris Garnett-Holt from Chetwynde.

Organiser Katy Costa, who is the Head of Key Stage 2 at the Rating Lane school, said she was delighted by the response from the primary schools who were enthusiastic about the new event.

“This was a fantastic start to what will be a full calendar of multi-sports competitions including hockey, netball, swimming and a host of other sports.

“Sport supports good mental health and wellbeing and encourages a healthy lifestyle. On the back of Covid, this provides additional opportunities for local primary children to restart activities in a competitive environment.

“It is vitally important that we do not lose the competitive element of sport. For our children, it is something that we simply cannot lose and it was great to see so many children enjoying themselves.”

Sports Leaders from Chetwynde helped marshal nearly 150 runners and certificates were presented by the school’s Headteacher Steve Jefferson.

He congratulated all those that took part saying he was delighted to see so many pupils taking part and impressed by their running.

“It is great to see healthy competition between the schools and great to see everyone together again,” he said.

Executive Head Teacher and CEO of South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust Professor Andrew Wren said he was delighted the SCMAT was supporting the event, which was something to benefit many children.

“The SCMAT supports celebrating the success and achievement of pupils and the promotion of wellbeing and resilience. The MegaMAT games is a great initiative that combines all these values and supports pupils’ ambitions to be the best they can.

“We have such fantastic facilities at Channelside, Chewynde and our sixth form at Rating Lane and by supporting this competition, we are opening them up so pupils across our community have the chance to play sports in this state-of-the-art environment.”

Full list of winners

Under 9 Girls

Winter Rose (St Pius)

Isabelle Coward (Parkside)

Martha Thomas (Holy Family)

Under 9 Boys

Olly Swarbrick (Yarlside)

Alfie Dale (St Columba’s)

Harry Middleton (Holy Family)

Under 11 Girls

Imogen Moore (Yarlside)

Katie Douglas (Sir John Barrow)

Olivia Gomersall (St Columba’s)

Under 11 Boys

Harris Garnett-Holt (Chetwynde)

Ivan Winder (Sir John Barrow)

Archie Wood (St Columba’s)

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