Beccles and Lowestoft youngsters compete in Olympic sports competition

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

The schools went head to head at the event hosted by Beccles Primary Academy last Friday, competing in field events in the morning, followed by track and tug of war in the afternoon.

The day was rounded off with a teachers' space hopper race.

The event was held as part of the REAch 2 East Anglian sports partnership, which brings schools together to offer more opportunities.

Taking part was four girls and four boys from Phoenix St Peter Academy, St Margaret's Primary Academy, Northfield St Nicholas Primary Academy and Gunton Primary Academy, all in Lowestoft, along with youngsters from Beccles, and pupils from five other schools in Martlesham, Clacton-on-Sea, Frinton-on-Sea, Colchester and Ipswich.

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Reece Garrood, PE coordinator at Beccles, said: 'We started doing events together from September and it gives the children the opportunity to take part in further sporting challenges and competitions. They seem to really be enjoying it.

'We've already done football, dodgeball and rounders and we've done a dance and gymnastics festival. We are going to continue with those and we are also looking at a paralympic event for the children with special educational needs.'

The day saw pupils competing in throwing and jumping events, hurdle, sprinting and relay races.

Mr Garrood said: 'In the morning it was really fun and they mixed up and spent time with all of the other children. In the afternoon the races got a bit more competitive, but everyone was still having fun.

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

'The main thing I like to promote is sportsmanship, so as well as the winners we had three sportsmanship awards for the best boy, girl and school.'

The event was also attended by Sir Steve Lancashire, chief executive of the REAch 2 Academy Trust, who had his trainers ready for the teachers' race.

He said: 'It's fantastic and one of the things we are trying to do is bring as many schools together as we can.

'It's just a really collaborative effort and it's wonderful seeing so many kids having a good time.'

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. (Image: Archant � 2017)

Beccles Primary Academy host a special REAch2 Schools Olympic event. (Image: Archant � 2017)