Rotherham youngsters gear up for schools games

OLYMPIC long jumper Chris Tomlinson will take time out of training for Rio 2016 to support South Yorkshire schoolchildren as they go for gold, silver and bronze in a multi-sport championship of their own.

The three-time Olympian and British indoor record holder will officially open the annual day-long South Yorkshire Sainsbury's School Games summer finals, which will be held in Rotherham next week.

More than 1,000 youngsters will compete in the games on Wednesday. They will vie for medal positions in tennis, tri-golf, orienteering and a disability team adventure challenge at Clifton Park.

The event will also include a tennis competition at Moorgate Tennis Club, athletics at Herringthorpe Stadium and cricket competition at Rotherham Town.

Nigel Harrison, chief executive of South Yorkshire Sport, said: “The 2015 School Games got off to a great start in March with the winter finals, when youngsters competed in sports including cheerleading, basketball, and goalball.

“The multi-sports summer finals will build on this success and again offer young people of all abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to participate in a range of competitive school sports.

“Our School Games was launched in 2012 as part of the legacy of the London Olympics and over the last three years have engaged thousands of young people in sport.

“The Games have helped children to develop teamwork and leadership skills in a fun and challenging environment whilst encouraging them to maintain an active lifestyle.”

The 2015 South Yorkshire Sainsbury's School Games also includes winter finals and trampolining and badminton finals, which were held in February and March.