Leeds City Schools High Fives Festival and showcase
Published on: 13th October 2011
On the 3rd October 2011 Leeds City Primary Schools cametogether in a High Fives Festival competition at the John CharlesCentre for Sport.The event was also to establish a way forward for the High FivesSchool Game to increase participation in a game played by bothboys and girls. Three proposals were up for discussion; 11 schoolswith a total of 13 teams took part.
It was following the West Yorkshire Youth games that the idea of increasing gameplay for High Fives was mentioned and a small working group took this on board andestablished three proposals for discussion.
The ideal event to take feedback was aFestival where schools can come together – and Leeds Sport Development Unithosted the first High Fives Festival of 2011/12.
The John Charles Centre for Sport was chosen as a neutral venue and the size ofthe Bowls and Athletics Centre was ideal; but, with no court markings the challengeto establish this facility as a netball arena was set.
Not to be beaten, Sport andYoung People Development Officer Mike Shucksmith, took out the tape measures,chalk and string and set to. On the morning of the event and with Ryan Vates of JohnCharles Centre for Sport and Fran Marshall from England Netball with Mike theyconverted the athletics hall into a netball centre to be proud of. There were smiles atthe centre squares (rather than a centre circles) but hey, it looked GREAT!
Three proposals were put to the Primary Schools:
? A City Wide League in addition to current High Fives provision
? A series of Festivals in the SSP’s to determine City Finalists
? SSP Leagues to determine City FinalistsWith feedback recorded the SGO’s and Mike are to reconvene to discuss further theopportunities.
The Festival itself went very well. Tricia Johnson of Leeds City Council kept theresults in check and the Umpire “All Stars” of Tracey Holdsworth, TraceyBuchanan, Carol Robinson and Liz Hooper assured safe and competitive gameplayWith two courts, 13 teams and two leagues the games were played in a fast andfurious fashion – 5 minutes of exhilarating play per match.The results came in fast…..
League one sported 6 teams and throughout the league leaders continued to alternate between St. Mary’s and Woodlesford. But a finishing flourish from Woodlesford put them through to the final and a goal difference of +18 also meant a big boost of confidence for the final.
League 2 sported 7 teams and needed to play out 21 games to determine itswinners and runner up for the Final and Play off for 3rd and 4th.
a goal from Woodlesford that clinched victory, this solitary goal meant gold for Woodlesford with Weetwood taking welldeserved runners up position and silver.The Play off for 3rd and 4th sported a different story with another well foughtcontest; 5 goals were scored and again, the hall filled with eager anticipation asthe players contended in end to end netball. It was St. Mary’s that took 3 of the 5goals and Alwoodley 2 providing worthy 3rd and 4th places respectfully.Pam Hoyle, the Chair of the Yorkshire Region presented the winners medals withLiz Bottomley, Secretary of the Leeds Schools Netball Association also inattendance. Emma Brown, Regional Manager for England Netball was also at theevent.Mike thanked all players for supporting the afternoon and extended his thanks toTeachers and parents for enabling the children to attend.mike.shucksmith@leeds.gov.ukTel: 0113 3952376Mob: 07891 274517
Results below:
Good_news_-_High_Fives_Festival_03-10-2011.pdf
