Sussex School Games plans take shape

Representatives from across Sussex met at the University of Brighton on 13 July to discuss plans for the new School Games, which start next year.

"This is an opportunity to begin the task of ensuring all relevant groups are engaged with the School Games at an early stage, and that they are represented at the highest levels on the organising committee," said Active Sussex's Chief Executive Sadie Mason.

The School Games, a government backed Legacy initiative to raise the profile of competitive games in schools, is being piloted in nine regions and will launch nationally in Olympic year, 2012.

The Games will involve schools competing at local level before going through to national finals. The four linked levels of competition, from local through to national, feature county championships at level 3.

It is expected the Local Organising Committee for the Sussex School Games will be chaired by a head teacher. Active Sussex will have a key role in coordinating the county level competition, providing event management, communications, marketing and administrative support, canvassing for funding to support the festival, acting as a bridge between the Games Committee and NGBs locally, and working with School Games Organisers to ensure their work is aligned with the wider sporting landscape.

At the meeting on Wednesday, three co-chairs were chosen to represent the three areas contained within Sussex: Mark Whitby (ACE) for Brighton & Hove, David Jones (Regis School) for West Sussex and John Court (William Parker) for East Sussex.

The next School Games meeting is scheduled for 10:00am on 9 September at University of Brighton Sport Centre, Falmer Campus.

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