Mansfield youngsters get competitive in virtual school 'sports day' event

Hundreds of school pupils, parents and teachers from across Mansfield and Ashfield came together in a virtual sports event.
A winning smile from George Whitten, who attends Leamington Primary and Nursery School in Sutton in Ashfield.A winning smile from George Whitten, who attends Leamington Primary and Nursery School in Sutton in Ashfield.
A winning smile from George Whitten, who attends Leamington Primary and Nursery School in Sutton in Ashfield.

The ‘Flying High Trust Virtual Sports Day’ has been hailed a great success after receiving hundreds of entries from its schools across the district.

Schools that took part included Leamington Primary and Nursery School and Mapplewells Primary School in Sutton in Ashfield, as well as Peafield Lane Academy in Mansfield.

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Organiser Tom Darby, PE specialist from Mapplewells Primary said the event was a way for the communities of the Flying High Trust schools to reconnect during lockdown.

He said: “We started thinking about the idea in April, bringing together all of our 26 schools, albeit virtually, and looking at ways in which we could enable children to take part in a sports day.

“To do it we set challenges that could be done using things that would be available to as many people as possible – we did have to come up with some more creative events.”

As most families took part from their homes, the shot putt event became a

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sock putt and instead of the traditional egg and spoon, it was the sock and spoon.

Tom added: “Each Tuesday a new event would be launched via a video, allowing everyone time to practice.

“The aim of this was to provide a daily activity for pupils to engage with as part of their recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

“Engagement was incredible and the enjoyment everyone had was clear to see. The day was a brilliant success. I would especially like to thank the parents for their enthusiasm.”

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Julie Reynolds, parent of Lily and Luke of Mapplewells Primary, said: “I have to say I was sceptical about the virtual sports day but it was a welcome change, not only for the kids but for me too.

“I didn’t think for one minute I would ever be running around a duvet with a wooden spoon in my back garden. I am very glad we did it.”

Year three student Will Mead, from Leamington Primary and Nursery School in Sutton, said: “I loved sports day and really enjoyed sock putt. I found it a little tricky but I persevered and had fun.”

Every pupil taking part in the day received a virtual certificate.