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Sporting spirit as strong as ever as more than 2,000 pupils take part in Kent School Games finals at University of Kent in Canterbury

08:00, 05 July 2016

updated: 08:44, 05 July 2016

More than 80 schools and 2,000 children from across the county took part in the finals of the Kent School Games at the University of Kent in Canterbury.

Children aged between 5 and 16 took part in local heats throughout the academic year, culminating in the grand final to crown the winning schools in more than 30 sports including tag rugby, netball, cheerleading, beach volleyball and futsal.

The Kent School Games were developed to build a lasting legacy from the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and, in this school year, the programme has enabled some 30,000 children to be able to take part in competitive sport.

Netball action as Delce Academy of Rochester, in black, take on Upton Juniors from Broadstairs Picture: Chris Davey
Netball action as Delce Academy of Rochester, in black, take on Upton Juniors from Broadstairs Picture: Chris Davey

During last week's finals every school was given a country to represent from the 2016 Rio Games and Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Tracey Crouch, was in attendance to watch the action and show her support to the competitors.

She said: "The School Games is a fantastic event that gives children from Kent and across the country a real taste of competition and a chance to develop their sporting abilities.

“We want to encourage even more young people to get active and this is a great way to nurture new talent and foster a lifelong love of sport."

Helping to ensure the day ran smoothly were more than 100 teenage volunteers, who had been trained by students from Canterbury Christ Church University.

Local singers, dancers and cheerleaders provided entertainment throughout the day on the main stage while former England rugby sevens captain Abigail Chamberlain was busy keeping an eye out for talented players.

Tag rugby action between Aylesford Primary, in green, and Vigo Primary Picture: Chris Davey
Tag rugby action between Aylesford Primary, in green, and Vigo Primary Picture: Chris Davey
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