Ashfield District Council: First Ever Active Ashfield Games Hailed A Success

First Ever Active Ashfield Games Hailed A Success

Date: 5th July 2010

Hundreds of people turned out to represent Active Sutton, Kirkby, Hucknall and Selston at the first ever Active Ashfield Games which has been hailed a great success!

The event began with an official opening ceremony at Ashfield School, featuring a parade of all participants and volunteers, a 'Dance for the Games’ performed by young people from the Let's Dance Studio in Hucknall and the introduction of the 'Active Ashfield Torch', designed and produced by S and D Solutions in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

The torch was relayed around the track by Nicola Caunt, Loughborough Lightning and England Under 19 netballer, Alice Pearson, Active Ashfield's Young Volunteer of the Year, Clive Morris, Coach of the Year and Oliver Hynd, Disabled Sports Person of the Year. It was delivered on stage to the Sporting Champion for the event Jenna Downing, 2008 World Inline Skating Champion, who raised the torch to 'let the games begin'.

Sutton, Kirkby, Hucknall and Selston competed against each other in boccia, football, netball, hockey, gymnastics, tag rugby, bowls and It's A Knockout competitions.

Sutton topped the medal table with 3 gold team medals and 4 silver, Selston bagged 1 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze. Hucknall and Kirkby won 2 gold and 2 bronze each.

Jenna Downing holds up the Active Ashfield Torch to begin the games

The games which was funded by Ashfield District Council, NHS Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands Development Agency was granted Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme, which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ashfield is unique to the East Midlands Region in the organisation of an event of this kind and it is hoped that it will be repeated and built upon annually towards London 2012 and beyond.

In the official opening speech Chairman of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Mick Parker said, 'The games are an exciting opportunity to encourage the people of Ashfield to get more active, and is just one part of Active Ashfield's pledge to enable our communities to feel a part of London 2012 and to benefit from the legacy it will leave behind.'

You can view photographs from the event at www.activeashfield.co.uk

Ashfield is unique to the East Midlands Region in the organisation of an event of this kind and it is hoped that it will be repeated and built upon annually towards London 2012 and beyond.

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