On Wednesday 26th February, 16 Y8 Sports Leaders from Thrybergh Academy supported the Rotherham School Games Primary Panathlon events. The day saw the leaders deliver and officiate seven different activities across a morning and an afternoon session, working with 12 schools and over 80 children from the borough. Panathlon is a national charity which gives young people with disabilities and special educational needs the opportunity to take part in competitive sport. The event involves groups of children participating and scoring points for their school in adapted activities such as Ten Pin Bowling, Curling, Boccia, Parachute and Target Throw.
The leaders received lots of positive feedback from the primary staff attending on the day, with many of them praising them for their manner and conduct when interacting with children who had never attended a sporting or external event before.
Howard from Panathlon UK said in a post on their X account “Massive shoutout to our brilliant year 8 Panathlon Sports Leaders from Thrybergh Academy at today’s Rotherham School Games Primary Yorkshire Sport qualifier…be very proud of your achievements…you made a difference.”
Mr Walker, School Games Organiser for Rotherham and Sports Development Manager for Wickersley Partnership Trust said “Thrybergh Academy stepped in at the last minute to ensure the event could go ahead, with Mr Morris giving us the Sports Centre for the day and organising a group of leaders off timetable to support. The Y8’s did an outstanding job across the 2 sessions, growing in confidence as the day went on and ensuring children with additional needs had a positive experience in the School Games.”
Helen O’Brien, CEO at Wickersley Partnership Trust, said “Following their involvement in the Rotherham School Games Primary Panathlon on 26th November, I want to take a moment to recognise the outstanding efforts of our Year 8 Sports Leaders from Thrybergh Academy. Their contribution to the event was truly exceptional, as they helped deliver and officiate activities for over 80 children from 12 schools across the borough.
“Their professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication did not go unnoticed. Primary staff praised the leaders for their maturity and kindness, particularly their support of children who had never attended a sporting event before.
“A special thank you also goes to Mr Morris and Thrybergh Academy for stepping in at short notice to ensure the event could go ahead. Their commitment to fostering leadership and community spirit is truly commendable.
“Congratulations to Thorogate Juniors and Bramley Sunnyside Juniors, and well done to all involved—you have demonstrated the very best of our school community, and I have no doubt you will continue to inspire others in the future.”
Thorogate Juniors and Bramley Sunnyside Juniors scored the most points across the morning / afternoon and will go on to represent Rotherham at the South Yorkshire School Games Panathlon Finals at the EIS Sheffield in March. The Rotherham School Games Team would like to thank the leaders once again for all their hard work and effort throughout the day and hope to have them working on another School Games event in the future!
#WeSupportOthersAroundUs #WeWorkHard
