The 12th annual inspire+ Mini Olympics took place at the Grantham Athletics Stadium across 18th, 19th and 20th June. inspire+ run the Mini Olympics as an end of year celebration for its member schools and this year saw the 3-day event grow even bigger, allowing over 2,500 young people to be involved in the games, its biggest year to date!
The Mini Olympics hosted primary schools from across Grantham, Stamford, Market Deeping, Peterborough, Gainsborough, Lincoln, Vale of Belvoir and the surrounding areas. For many of the children involved, it was their first-time taking part in a large sports event, particularly one where they are encouraged to join in with a student-led, animated opening and closing ceremony alongside participating in up to 14 different Olympic and Paralympic sports. We are extremely thankful to local clubs including Grantham Tennis Club and Grantham Badminton club for helping to run these zones.
This year the event was themed ‘The Greatest Sports Show!’. The charity’s Ambassadors, Sam Ruddock, Jonathan Broom-Edwards, Sarah Outen MBE, Sophie Allen and Ben Smith were a part of the celebrations meeting the children and signing their programmes.
Supporting the running of the event are several local business sponsors to which inspire+ are very grateful. These include, South Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Public Health Lincolnshire, Grantham Rotary Swimarathon, Jump Revolution and KBR Gas Services. The charity’s Sports Leadership Academy students, Young Ambassador and Apprentices play a key part in the setting up and running of the games, without them it would not be possible.
Operations Manager, Chris Graves said after the event: “The Mini Olympics is such a magical event for everyone involved. We hope that the children who take part will be inspired to perhaps try new sports, become more physically active and lead healthy lifestyles. The Mini Olympics is our one mass event of the year and it is great to see all our schools come together after another hugely successful year for inspire+. We could not run this event without the support of local businesses and the dedication of our team of staff and volunteers. Thank you!”
The Mini Olympics is just one initiative that Grantham based sports charity inspire+ run as they continue to expand their physical activity and educational services to primary schools, secondary schools and the local community.