In Term 1, our first inter-sporting event took place in September, bringing together 42 Year 8 and 9 students from Co-op Academy Grange and Priesthorpe for an afternoon of basketball. The event was particularly significant for many girls who were representing their schools for the first time, gaining confidence alongside their sporting skills.

That same week, primary school pupils in Bradford competed in a benchball tournament, where 30 Year 4 and 5 students from Co-op Academy Parkland and Princeville played two games officiated by Co-op Academy Priesthorpe’s sports leaders. Additionally, a badminton tournament was held between Year 3 and 4 students from Co-op Academy Brownhill and Nightingale, with a total of 28 games played. Students from Year 5 and 6, alongside Co-op Academy Woodlands, also participated, playing an impressive 54 games in their tournament.

Three orienteering and team-building events were hosted by Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent, where 60 Year 5 and 6 pupils from Co-op Academy Friarswood, Clarice Cliff, and Glebe displayed teamwork and resilience. In Merseyside, a dodgeball festival at Co-op Academy Bebington welcomed students from Co-op Academy Portland, Woodslee, and Hillside, where all participants left with medals in hand.

Throughout the term, the Trust also hosted two inter-sport events as part of its programme to encourage students to participate in team and individual sports with other academies. In Manchester and West Yorkshire, over 130 students faced challenging cross-country courses, showing exceptional effort despite rough weather. Another key event was the SEND ten-pin bowling competition with Pentathlon, where 46 SEND students from Co-op Academy New Islington, North Manchester, Manchester, and Medlock participated.

In the spring term, the first sporting events of 2024 saw girls and boys from across the Trust take part in football tournaments. We expanded our sports offerings with mixed tag rugby competitions and more indoor athletics and cross-country events, where students from various year groups came together to compete. These events were especially notable for introducing younger students to new sports, fostering enthusiasm, and uncovering potential future stars.

The summer term featured a rounders competition in West Yorkshire. In Staffordshire, pupils from Co-op Academy Glebe, Clarice Cliff, and Friarswood visited Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent for a basketball tournament, where the host school’s newly appointed city champion basketball team lent their skills to referee and run the games.

June brought the SEND Panathlon festival, themed 'War of the Roses'. Representing the White Rose of Yorkshire, students from Co-op Academy Princeville, Priesthorpe, and Beckfield demonstrated exceptional teamwork and resilience at the event hosted by Co-op Academy Belle Vue. While every participant earned a medal, the Red Rose of Lancashire emerged victorious.

The term concluded with the ‘Fun-damentals’ Sports Festival in July, where over 65 Co-op Academy students excelled in 10 different activities, including balancing, jumping, sprinting, and more.

Reflecting on the past year, Dr. Chris Tomlinson, CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, said:
"Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen an incredible range of inter-sports Trust competitions and events across our academies—from the recent 'fun-damentals' Sports Festival and football tournaments to Panathlon challenges, cross-country, basketball, and more.

“It has been fantastic to see so many students attending Trust-wide events, with some representing their school for the first time in a new sport. We are always looking to expand the range of experiences our students can belong to and contribute to.

“By participating in these events, our students not only sharpen their sporting skills but also experience the excitement and camaraderie that comes with healthy competition. This collective effort truly embodies our commitment to fostering well-rounded development in our students, who may well make it to the Olympics themselves one day!

“It’s inspiring to witness so many schools come together to create these opportunities for our young people, and I want to thank all the staff who have been instrumental in making these events possible.”