CHILDREN from a Wirral school were crowned champions of the North West in the regional final of a multi-sport competition.
The pupils from Holy Cross Catholic Primary School in Birkenhead, which helps children with special educational needs, were among five taking from across the Northwest competing in the Panathlon Regional Multisport Final at Bolton Arena.
Champions: Pupils from Holy Cross School in Birkenhead celebrate with Paralympic medallist Nathan Maguire after winning the North West of England multisport title
They had all qualified from local competitions in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside to battle for the coveted North West champions trophy.
Competing for points in disciplines including table cricket, new-age kurling, skittles, boccia, parachute popcorn and table cricket, the team of nine Holy Cross pupils emerged as winners.
Champions: Pupils from Holy Cross School in Birkenhead after winning the North West of England multisport title
Panathlon is the charity that gives thousands of young people with disabilities and special needs every year the opportunity to take part in competitive sport they are so often otherwise denied.
Champions: Pupils from Holy Cross School in Birkenhead after winning the North West of England multisport title
Anthony Fitzsimmons, Holy Cross' Year 5/6 PE Lead. said: "These children have never had this kind of opportunity to compete with other schools before so winning two in a row at the qualifying event and now here is a really big thing.
"Being children with special needs, they just didn't believe they were capable. For them to stand up in front of the other kids in assembly with a trophy has been massive.
"Imagine what it’ll be like now they're able to say, ‘we’re north west champions!"
Champions: Pupils from Holy Cross School in Birkenhead celebtrate with Paralympic medallist Nathan Maguire after winning the North West of England multisport title
Mr Fitzsimmons continued: "We've really been gearing them up for today. We've been calling this the Panathlon Champions League! It has created a real buzz in the school.
"A few months ago, these kids were a bit reluctant to get involved in sport. They tend to take a backwards step, but this has really inspired them.
"The games are accessible and they can compete comfortably. They encourage one another and they've come together as a team.”
Holy Cross pupil Riley Willis, 11, said: "I feel very proud of myself. I can't wait to be up in assembly telling everyone we've won another trophy! I'm made up!"
They received their trophy, medals and certificates from Panathlon Ambassador Nathan Maguire. The Chester athlete, a Paralympic silver medallist in Tokyo last year, is about to head to Birmingham to compete in the 1500m wheelchair race at the Commonwealth Games.
He said: "When I was younger, I would have loved something like Panathlon because I didn’t have the opportunity to do school sport due to my disability.
"These kids are 10 steps ahead of where I was at their age, so it’s exciting to see what they will achieve from this platform."
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