Children across Worcestershire are being encouraged to keep active this month, participating in a host of sporting challenges.

We know that school life is very different now. Parents have become teachers; lessons are delivered online and breaktime has moved onto 'Zoom'.

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire is calling all Worcestershire school children to take part alongside friends and teammates for the chance to be crowned Worcestershire School Games champions.

Every July up to 1,800 children and young people usually take part in the event at Bromsgrove School. Students take on the roles of volunteering, officiating and forming a media team to report on the event. The School Games is a national programme, funded by Sport England and the National Lottery. This year, the Covid-19 lockdown has encouraged the organisers, Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire to think differently about delivering the event. In response to current school closures, Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire in partnership with School Games Organisers across the county, will be launching the 'Worcestershire Virtual School Games'.

Made up of weekly challenges from agility to a talent showcase, the competition will be open to every student, school and household from Monday 1^st June. Students will be asked to perform a certain exercise, record their attempts and submit their results for the chance to win certificates and recognition, culminating in a celebration week starting on Monday 6^th July.

Every Monday from 1^st – 26^th June, a new challenge will be launched, which can be completed in the living room, garden or at school. Throughout the week you can practice, train and improve, before submitting your first and best scores online at www.activehw.co.uk/worcestershire-school-games. Your score will be added to your school total, meaning that you can be part of your school team, and compete against all the other schools in the county for the chance to win prizes.

Huw Griffiths, Project Manager (Children and Young People) at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire explained, "We know that for many primary, middle and secondary schools across Worcestershire, the Summer School Games is an event not to be missed. The Games give children and young people a chance to demonstrate their teamwork, honesty, determination, passion, respect and self-belief within a physical activity environment."

"Determined to deliver the Worcestershire Summer School Games despite the Covid-19 lockdown, we developed the Virtual School Games. The idea is to encourage children and families to stay active at home, while demonstrating the School Games values that underpin the competition."

"We wanted to involve as many children as possible, therefore we have come up with activity adaptations to ensure the challenges are inclusive and accessible. Young Leaders will continue their role by introducing the weekly challenges."

Tracey Freer, School Games Organiser for North Worcestershire said, "We are really excited for the launch of our Worcestershire Virtual School Games. We hope to inspire and motivate our young people, whether at school or at home, to take part in friendly competition, represent their school and feel part of a school team."

"At a time when social distancing is required, we hope the Worcestershire Virtual School Games can bring us together and help our schools, young people and their families be active, connect and most importantly have fun."

Alongside weekly physical activity challenges, children and young people will have the opportunity to enter the 'Design a School Games Flag/Poster' competition and the 'Worcestershire's Got Talent Showcase'. The competition schedule will be as follows:

1^st – 26^th June – Design a School Games Flag/Poster

1^st – 26^th June – Worcestershire's Got Talent Showcase

1^st – 5^th June – Speed Endurance Challenge

8^th – 12^th June – Target Challenge

15^th – 19^th June – Throwing Challenge

22^nd – 26^th June – Agility Challenge

6^th – 10^th July – Worcestershire Virtual School Games Week

All participants will receive an e-certificate, with the top 3 individuals receiving a placing e-certificate. The primary and secondary school with the highest percentage of participants in each competition will receive a Decathlon e-voucher. We would love to see your participation in any of the Worcestershire Virtual School Games Activities. Tag us on Twitter & use #WorcsVirtualSG. For more information please contact Tracey Freer (School Games Organiser) on ts165@chadsgrove.worcs.sch.uk.