REDDITCH Swimming Club star Issy Griffiths has another high profile opportunity to showcase her talents in the pool when she competes in the Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games (September 3-6) in Manchester.
The 15-year-old, of Alcester, who recently won a hat-trick of medals including gold in the 800m freestyle at the prestigious British Summer Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, will be in action in this exciting multi-sport event for school-age athletes when she competes at Manchester Aquatics Centre between September 4-6.
One of the 1,600 athletes taking part in this year’s Games, Tudor Grange Academy student Issy will represent England Central in the swimming competition.
In total 12 sports, seven of which include disability disciplines, will be contested at the four-day spectacular which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.
Issy will be joined in the North West by another Redditch student – Jessica Ball of St Augustine’s Catholic High School – who will represent England Midlands in the rugby sevens competition.
The 17-year-old, of Bromsgrove, will be in action at the Armitage Sports Centre at the University of Manchester between September 4-6.
The local duo will be following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars including Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, world record-breaking swimmer Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, world junior champion heptathlete and high jumper Morgan Lake and sprinter Adam Gemili, who all competed at the School Games before going on to elite success with Team GB and ParalympicsGB.
They will experience the excitement of competing at the highest level and will live within the athletes’ village, attend show-stopping opening and closing ceremonies and perform in front of a crowd of thousands at world class sports facilities in Manchester.
Issy said: “It feels great to have been chosen for the Sainsbury’s School Games this year and to be given the opportunity to be part of such a fun event.”
Jessica added: “I’m really pleased to have been selected to compete in the Sainsbury’s School Games and I’m looking forward to performing in front of my friends and family.”
Alongside the competing athletes there will be 400 young volunteers bringing the Sainsbury’s 2015 School Games to life. Young reporters will be among the journalists reporting the action and many of the officials and coaches will also be young people.
Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch said: “The Sainsbury’s School Games continue to go from strength to strength and I am pleased to see so many young athletes embracing this fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents.
“Grassroots sport is where it all starts. It’s where the coaches and sports teachers mould our future stars, inspiring generations to get involved and be the best they can be.”
