Disability skiers take to the slopes
Forty pupils from four Medway schools took to the slopes on Thursday, 1 May for the second annual Medway Disability Winter Youth Games.
The Year 6 and 7 youngsters spent a wet but action-packed morning at the John Nike Capstone Ski Centre, completing their skill level awards and racing each other in toboggan runs and snow tube relays.
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Every skier completed at least a level two award, demonstrating skills such as side stepping and turning on the slope, snowplough gliding and braking. They also had to show an awareness of important equipment and safety checks and of the Ski Way Code. Some pupils even reached the four star level, demonstraing an ability to link snowplough turns and use the ski lift. |
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By the end of the games it was the team from St Werburgh Centre in Main Road, Hoo, that emerged victorious, ahead of the the Polar Bears and the Penguins teams from Bradfields School in Churchill Avenue, Chatham.
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Hoo St Werburgh Primary Unit was named the Most Improved team, while the award for Team Spirit went to skiers from Warren Wood Community Primary School in Arethusa Road, Rochester. Each participant received a medal, participation certificate and a skill award certificate in recognition of their efforts. |
The event was organised by Medway Council's Sports Development Team with help from staff from the ski centre.
Medway Sports Development Officer John Hatchett said: "Thank you to all the staff at the John Nike Ski Centre. They were superb with the kids all through their training weeks and during the event."
The Disability Youth Games form part of the Medway Games programme and comprise a winter and summer event. They were first held in 2007 following a successful bid for Medway Youth Opportunities funding by Bradfields School pupil Lee Monk.
The 2008 Medway Disability Summer Youth Games will take place on Thursday, 10 July at Deangate Ridge, featuring athletics, football, boccia, archery and kwik cricket.
Back to May 2008 news.
Story published 6 May 2008