A VIRTUAL Worcestershire school games event was a success after 132 schools took part.

With the annual Worcestershire Summer School Games event having been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, organisers brought the games to pupil's homes and to those children still attending school through the Worcestershire School Games Activity Village.

The Activity Village is a programme of virtual competitions that has taken place throughout June, using sport to motivate and inspire young people to take part in friendly competition and with an opportunity to represent their school in the process and to feel part of a school team.

The virtual games have provided an array of activities for children across the county to take part in on a weekly basis. From physical activity challenges, including Speed Bounce and the Agility Running Challenge, to a 'Design a Flag' competition all the way through to the Worcestershire's Got Talent Showcase.

These have been promoted by the Active Partnership Herefordshire & Worcestershire and through the network of Worcestershire School Games Organisers.

Scott Smith, chair of the Worcestershire School Games Local Organising Committee said: "We are disappointed that our flagship event for young people in Worcestershire had to be cancelled due to the ongoing crisis, but we've been so excited to bring you our first ever virtual school games and have been blown away by the level of involvement, and in particular seeing schools that have never taken part before get involved."

Over the four-week period of challenges the organisation received a total of 8,232 entries with a total of 132 schools take part.

Huw Griffiths, project manager (children and young people) at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: "We are thrilled with the number of children and young people that have taken part in the virtual School Games and would like to thank everyone involved in making the virtual platform such a success. In a time where isolation and social distancing is required, the virtual School Games has been able to inspire our young people to be active and stay connected which is priceless.”