Sussex Downs College Games Festival

Forget London 2012, Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne was the hottest venue for sports activities last week (8-9th May) as the college welcomed primary schools from the local area to take part in its annual Games Festival. Now in its 19th year, the Games Festival lets youngsters experience sports in the HE environment. Team activities mirrored Sports Day fun with events including relay races, rounders – albeit with a football with no bat or rounders ball in sight – parachuting (with the kids’ feet kept firmly on the ground) and more.

The festival, run by the Level 3 (Higher) Sports Leaders and Level 2 CSLA Sports Leaders at Sussex Downs, saw in excess of 1,300 primary school students visit the Eastbourne campus across the two days.

Amelia Grace, a Sussex Downs College student who was being assessed on leading one of the groups of primary school pupils, commented: “The Games Festival is a really cool event. It’s practical and fun and all the kids listened and responded really well.” Miss Smith, a teacher from Pevensey and Westham, added: “It’s a great chance for the children to experience what PE might be like in secondary school. The equipment available to them is amazing. It’s been great fun for all the kids.”

The group activities saw pupils mixing with students from other schools. Pevensey and West Ham joined St John’s Meads for the rounders. Unlike the traditional game, it was played ‘football’ style – which seemed appropriate with the World Cup approaching and all eyes currently on the end of season matches.
Miss Standley, a Teaching Asssistant at Pevensey and West Ham commented: “As a group, the rounders seemed to be the activity they have enjoyed best. It’s a great team sport and it’s rounders with a twist, which is a really fun idea.”

Participating schools included Motcombe, Polegate, Bourne, St Andrew’s, St Thomas, St John’s, Pevensey and West Ham, West Rise, Stafford and Ocklynge. With young pupils’ interest in sport piqued, events like this could make them consider PE in further education. We may have just seen future Olympic medalists in action.