City’s university welcomes hundreds of Preston pupils for Indoor Athletics Finals

Preston Primary Schools took part in the sporting event. Pic: UCLan

The University of Central Lancashire welcomed hundreds of schoolchildren from across the city to compete in their Preston Primary Schools Indoor Athletics Finals.

It was the sixth and biggest event yet held by the university, seeing over 500 pupils from 19 primary schools.

The children, who all competed against each other, were coached by more than 30 student volunteers from Sports Coaching and Physical Education and Sports courses.

Dr Chris Gunn, University of Central Lancashire Senior Lecturer in Sports Business Management and Sport Coaching, worked with School Games Organiser Mark Birkinshaw to coordinate the event.

UCLan volunteers at the Indoor Athletics Finals. Pic: UCLan

Dr Gunn said: “There is nothing better than our students gaining real-world hands-on experience of running an event of this magnitude.

“We’ve come a long way from our first event in 2018. This is now the sixth Preston Primary Schools Indoor Athletics Finals we have held at the University of Central Lancashire and our biggest yet.

“By networking, officiating, and coordinating the events and scores, the students are developing the vital skills they’ll need for a future career in sport.”

The Preston-based primary schools taking part included Ashton, Broughton-in-Amounderness, Deepdale, Fishwick, Harris, Kennington, Moor Nook, Our Lady and St Edward’s, Queens Drive, Ribbleton Avenue, Sherwood, St Andrew’s, St Clare’s, St Joseph’s, St Lawrence, St Maria Goretti, St Michael’s, St Stephen’s, and St Teresa’s.

The winning school was St Andrew’s CofE primary school which will now represent Preston at next year’s Lancashire final.

The day-long event saw pupils contest in a range of running and jumping events including an obstacle relay, standing long jump, foam javelin throwing, chest push and speed bounce.

Mr Simon Bentham, a teacher at Broughton Primary School said: “Kids at this event are able to shine in a different way. Not every child is academically gifted and many need sports to keep thriving in life.

“As it’s such a big event we can bring so many children with us and this gives those who have never represented our school before a chance to be part of a team.”

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