GreenacreSSP

Press release: Mini Youth Games Swimming Gala


Medway Park opens its doors to Medway Schools Swimming Gala


Hundreds of youngsters have enjoyed an early taste of the new and improved facilities at Medway’s new centre of sporting excellence.

The Mini Youth Games (MYG) Swimming Gala on Thursday, 28 January took place at the recently upgraded pool at Medway Park, the £11m new centre being created on the site of the Black Lion leisure centre.

More than 250 children from a record 27 Medway primary schools took part in the hard-fought competition. Cheered on by crowds of enthusiastic supporters, each team of eight swimmers contested four individual races and the grand finale, the team relays.

In a reversal of last year’s result it was Hempstead Junior School that emerged victorious, just beating 2009 winners from Kings School, Rochester.

Third and fourth place went to St Margaret’s C of E Junior School and Bryony School. A major focus of all MYG events is on participation and sportsmanship, and the team from St Mary’s Island C of E Primary were awarded the fair play trophy.

Medway Council senior sports development officer Tina Martin said: “It’s great to see the different level of swimmers in this event all competing together.

“The gala is inclusive and as much about participation as competition as club swimmers, school swimmers and recreational swimmers all mixed in to compete for their school.”

Swimming was the fourth event of the 2009/10 MYG competition - a multi-sport programme run throughout the school year for all Medway primary schools. Prizes are awarded at each event and points are gained towards the overall MYG title.

The MYG forms part of the Medway Games series organised by Medway Council’s Sports Development Team with the support of Medway’s two school sports partnerships, national governing bodies, local sports clubs and leisure facilities.

If you are interested in joining a local swimming club, getting involved in the sport or finding out more about Mini Youth Games, visit the A-Z club directory at http://www.medway.gov.uk/london2012.

For more information on getting involved with the MYG programme contact John Hatchett on 01634 338763.

Schools entering from Greenacre School Sport Partnership included; Balfour Junior School, Walderslade Primary, Pilgrim School, St Thomas More, St Marys Island, Oaklands, St William of Perth