Young People's Inclusive Sports Festival

Students from Bexhill High, Bexhill College and St Mary's Wrestwood worked alongside pupils from special schools in a number of sports at the event, held at the University of Brighton's Eastbourne campus, on Monday and Tuesday.

The Young People's Inclusive Sports Festival is one of a series of events attempting to improve the provision of sporting opportunities.

Organised by East Sussex County Council's PE and sports development service team in conjunction with the respective sports development teams of the districts and boroughs and the Sussex County Sports Partnership, the sports festival is a focus for young people to learn and enjoy themselves in a fully inclusive and supportive sporting environment.

On the Monday, rugby, cricket, skill agility quickness tests and football were the order of the day. Tuesday saw the young people take part in boccia, new age kurling, parachute and table top games. Each activity was be supervised under the guidance of sports specific development officers and qualified coaches.

Every pupil and sports leader who took part over the two days was given a certificate.

Councillor Keith Glazier, lead Member for adult and children's services at the county council, said: "We want this event to provide a chance for young people to have increased opportunities to participate in sport and to take part in activities they may not have done before.

"Getting more young people involved in PE and school sport is a key target in both the Local Area Agreement and the Children and Young People's Plan. It is important that these young people are aware of the long term health benefits of PE and school sport and an event such as this allows young people to enjoy and achieve in sport. It also enables the young sports leaders, who are essential to the success of the day, to make a positive contribution within the sporting community."