College hosts Panathlon Challenge Taster Competition

A Panathlon Challenge Taster Competition took place in Braintree College Sports Hall on Thursday 19 November. The event was organised by the North West Essex School Partnership in conjunction the Panathlon Challenge charity and the sport activities were run by BTEC Sport students at the College.

Tracey Smedley is Assistant Partnership Development Manager for the North West Essex Schools Partnership and works with over fifty Primary, Secondary and Special schools in the Braintree, Witham and Hedingham areas. Tracey said, “Braintree College has yet again provided an excellent venue and a great team of students who have contributed to the success of the event. Southview School in Witham, Lexden Springs School in Colchester and Market Field in Elmstead Market are the schools taking part and the young competitors have enjoyed a range of activities including Polybat, New Age Kurling, field events and relay races.”

Tracey continued,” This particular taster competition is an extra round before the main Panathlon competition starts in April 2010. It has been made possible thanks to the support of Braintree College and organisations such as the Essex Youth Trust, Jack Petchey Foundation and Essex Masons, as well as Hilton Hotels who have chosen the Panathlon Challenge as their charity to support in 2010. In addition, Sport Essex will be funding Essex County Cricket Club to run eight-week coaching sessions in table cricket at Special Schools throughout the county. It is rewarding to see so many young sports enthusiasts benefiting through the support from our partners and sponsors.”

Panathlon Challenge is a national charity fundraising for and benefitting young disabled people. Panathlon supplies free sports equipment, coaching sessions and multi-sports competitions across Essex, London, Kent and other locations. For more information visit www.panathlon.com.