Nearly 300 children from six schools will gather at Shrewsbury Athletics Stadium next month for the inaugural Salop Leisure Schools Relay Meeting.
The meeting, which is being held on Wednesday, July 13, comprises 12 events at various distances and is the brainchild of Shrewsbury Athletic Club president Derek Hayward, who has more than 50 years’ experience of supporting school and club athletics.
Taking part will be The Priory School, Meole Brace School Science College and Shrewsbury Girls High School from Shrewsbury and Church Stretton School, The Corbet School Technology College, Baschurch and Thomas Adams School, Wem.
The meeting, which is being held the day before schools break up for their summer holiday, is for years seven to 10 and children are restricted to competing in one relay race only.
Picture caption:
Preparing for the Salop Leisure Schools Relay Meeting are Meole Brace School pupils Kati Hulme (left) and Ceri Thomas with Ed Glover from Salop Leisure and Shrewsbury Athletic Club president Derek Hayward.
“It’s a new event organised by Shrewsbury Athletic Club in partnership with sponsor Salop Leisure to promote athletics in schools,” said Mr Hayward. “It’s a good way to get as many children as possible involved and the fact that we shall have 46 children from each of the six schools there is tremendous.
“Hopefully, the event will make children aware of Shrewsbury Athletic Club and may encourage some of them to participate in future events at the track.”
Salop Leisure’s chairman Tony Bywater is passionate about children and adults participating in sport to stay fit and healthy.
“Derek is to be congratulated for organising this meeting, which will bring together around 300 young people and may possibly include many potential track stars of the future,” said Ed Glover, Salop Leisure’s assistant marketing manager. “We are delighted to support the meeting as part of our sponsorship of Shrewsbury Athletic Club and hope it will be a great success.”
