Hampshire Games

Sport Hampshire & IOW's Mission Possible Agents talk to coaches, officials and players about the Olympic and Paralympic values at the 2011 Hampshire Games and Parallel Games.

More than 2500 sporting youngsters from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight enjoyed a two-day festival of sport at the Hampshire Games in Aldershot on 10 & 11 June.

Representing their local authorities, athletes aged 6-19 challenged for titles in sports including athletics, badminton, basketball, boccia, canoeing, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, netball, new age kurling, multi ball skills, squash, swimming and table tennis. The schools sports competitions included athletics, cycling and rugby.

Now in its 13th year and the largest multi-sport event in the county, the Games comprises the Parallel Games for athletes aged 11-19 with learning and physical disabilities, as well as the Hampshire Games for school children aged 6-19.  It embodies everything that is good about sport – team work, co-operation, communication, trust and most importantly, fun.  For many of the athletes it provides a springboard to long-term participation and competition.

This year we partnered with the Hampshire Schools Federation to blend a number of the schools competitions into the two-day festival. Giving the athletes a taste of what it is like to participate in a large scale event, ready for when they continue on to compete for their local club or represent the county.

The Games was opened by Hampshire’s Womens GB Hockey Player, Alex Danson (pictured). Alex played Hockey for Rushmoor at the very first Hampshire Games, 13 years ago.

Alex explained: “The Hampshire Games was my first experience of a multi-sport event. I had a fantastic day, I remember loving the atmosphere and feeling the event gave me. It gave me a taste for competing and was a great springboard in to my career.”

Alex also gave a rousing inspirational speech at the opening ceremony, saying “…Sport will take you on an incredible journey, dream high and never give up. I wish all the athletes the best of luck and have a fantastic day.”

The Hampshire Games and Parallel Games is run by Sport Hampshire & IOW (SHIOW) and Hampshire Games Management Group.

Since the Youth Games were introduced to Hampshire in 1998, when just 3 Local Authorities entered teams, the Games have gone from strength to strength with every Local Authority now involved and a wide number of events included.

The Games help towards encouraging the development of participation and competition opportunities, they are a culmination of sports development work undertaken by local authorities, sports clubs and volunteers throughout the year and provide a fantastic showcase of sport for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Since 1998 15,000 young people from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have had the chance to be involved in the Games, for many it will be their first taste of a high profile large scale sporting event. The Games are not solely about the development of players, but additionally provide an ideal opportunity for young people to take their first steps on the officiating ladder or gain experience as sports volunteers.