Schools badminton festival was a smash

Primary six and seven pupils from 13 Renfrewshire Schools had a smashing time last Wednesday at the second round of the Gateway to the Games festivals.

The pupils from Arkleston, Newmains, Kirklandneuk, Inchinnan, St John Bosco, St James, St Catherine’s, Langbank, Barsail, Bargarran, St Anne’s, Bishopton and Rashielea primaries had all just completed six weeks of after school badminton and were invited to take part.

Last week’s badminton festival is one of many sporting events that will be taking place throughout the school year, including netball, hockey, football and athletics.  Winners from each of the events will go on to compete in the Renfrewshire Gateway to the Games in June 2012 to find the overall Renfrewshire Primary School Champions.

The Badminton festival winners who also qualify for the Primary Games in June 2012 are:
1st Place; Nathan McDougall. Bargarran Primary
2nd Place; Michael Sharp. Arkleston Primary
3rd Place; Lewis Carrey. St.Annes Primary
4th Place; Jack Mitchell. Rashielea Primary

The festivals, run by Renfrewshire Council’s Active Schools team, aim to encourage school pupils to take part in extra curricular activities, while getting fit at the same time.

Councillor Susan McDonald, Renfrewshire Council’s Sports Champion, said: “It is great to see so many local youngsters enjoying taking part in a variety of sporting activities through these festivals.  It gives them a chance to try a new sport that that may not have played before, like badminton.”

“Gateway to the Games program has been set up to allow talented young athletes to compete for the Renfrewshire Primary Schools Sports Championships, and for Renfrewshire Active Schools to source and recognise their top young athletes towards the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

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