MORE than 1,000 youngsters came together for a day of sport at the Worcestershire Winter Sainsbury’s School Games.

The games took place at the University of Worcester, Top Barn Activity Centre, St John’s Sports Centre and Christopher Whitehead Language College.

Youngsters aged from eight to 16 went head-to-head in their own mini-Olympics, battling it out for the title of champion in eight different sports.

The event was supported by 200 volunteers, who received special training for a range of roles, including team leaders and an on-site media team.

The Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire part-funded and helped with the games’ organisation.

Partnership director Stephen Brewster said: “On behalf of the games’ local organising committee, I thank everyone who took part in the festival of sport – either as a competitor or as an event volunteer or sponsor.

“The true spirit and values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games shone through in what was a fantastic celebration of sport, competition and teamwork.”

The youngsters represented both their school and district with the county divided into Redditch, North Worcestershire, Droitwich and Worcester City, South Worcestershire, Worcestershire West and Wyre Forest.

An interactive village was also open at the university. The inaugural Games took place last summer at Bromsgrove School.

OVERALL WINNERS

CROSS-COUNTRY Year five boys: 1 Alex Perrin (Pitmaston Primary, Worcester); 2 James Taylor (Pitmaston Primary), 3 Hayden Phillips (Royal Grammar School, Worcester); girls: 1 Lottie Atkinson (RGS), 2 Susie Hoare (Broadway First School), 3 Grace Pritchard (Hagley Primary); year six boys: 1 Dan Hill (Witton Middle, Droitwich Spa), 2 Billy Shaw (Hagley Primary), 3 Angus Rees (RGS); girls: 1 Leah Spencer (Meadow Green, Wythall), 2 Beth Lloyd (Alvechurch Middle), 3 Josie Steele (Ridgeway Middle, Astwood Bank); year seven boys: 1 Jake Cavens (Christopher Whitehead Language College, Worcester), 2 Joe Reynolds (Chantry), 3 Zak Brown (Bredon Hill Middle, Ashton-under-Hill); girls: 1 Ellen Wikeley (The Chase, Malvern), 2 Ellen Johnson (Hanley Castle), 3 Georgina Knott (Stourport High).

SPORTSHALL ATHLETICS Year five and six boys: Alvechurch Middle; girls: St John’s Middle, Bromsgrove; year seven boys: Christopher Whitehead Language College; girls: St Bede’s Middle, Redditch; year eight boys: Aston Fields Middle, Bromsgrove; girls: Aston Fields Middle.

BADMINTON Keystage three, boys: Haybridge High, Hagley; girls: Woodrush High, Wythall; KS four boys: North Bromsgrove High; girls: Malvern St James.

BASKETBALL Year nine boys: Bromsgrove School.

BOCCIA Keystage three, four and five mixed: New College Worcester.

NEW AGE KURLING KS three, four and five mixed: Wyre Forest School, Kidderminster.

FOOTBALL (MINI-SOCCER) Year four girls: Swan Lane First School, Evesham.

HOCKEY (QUICKSTICKS) Year three and four mixed: The Knoll School, Kidderminster.

NETBALL Year eight girls: Heathfield School, Wolverley; year nine girls: Malvern St James.

TOUCH RUGBY KS three and four mixed: The Bewdley School.