The Warrington Sport Xtra series of competitions was this week launched in style with the inaugural Wii 2 Real event held at Halo. The event, an initiative of the Warrington School Sports Partnership (WaSSP), was aimed at youngsters who are not currently engaged in traditional sports saw over 150 participants from 7 high schools and community groups, including Positive Futures, take part in a number of innovative activities outside of the school environment. Warrington Wolves Fusion Dance group opened proceedings with an outstanding routine which wowed the audience which included various dignitaries from the local community including the Mayor of Warrington.

The event organised by David Quartermain (Competition Manager) was supported by enthusiastic young leaders from Priestley College as part of the WaSSP Leadership Academy.

As part of the evening participants were also treated to displays from the Blue and White Rope Skippers from the British Rope Skipping Association. As one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, it was a fantastic spectacle and the skill and dedication of the skippers was a sight to behold.

The students participated in a number of sport related interactive activities throughout the evening. ZigZag provided the latest in dance mat technology with chart songs by JLS, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Ga Ga giving students the chance to dance the night away. One of the most popular activities of the night was undoubtedly, the Wii consoles whereby pupils played against their peers before experiencing the sport for real with coaches from local sports clubs including Pheonix Boxing Club, Warrington Rowing Club and the Warrington Wolves Foundation.

The feedback from all of the participants and staff from the schools was extremely positive to such an extent that youngsters have already signed up to take part in additional activities in their local communities as a result of their attendance. The event highlighted that alternative activities can be extremely effective in engaging hard to reach individuals whilst tackling the wider issues of obesity and anti-social behaviour which affect the town.

Event organiser David Quartermain “ We aimed to mix together great new games such as Wii’s and Dance mats with equally brilliant fitness activities such as dance, rowing and boxing to give young people an exciting taste of what’s out there in Warrington. The event was received very well and finished on a positive note, The work now begins in making the motivation and inspiration in the young people sustainable “.

Jan Parker, PE Consultant/AST, Warrington Children and Young Peoples’ Services “It was fantastic to see so many young people thoroughly enjoying themselves taking part in the various sporting activities. Many thanks to Halo, Warrington School Sports Partnership , the schools who took part and to the many volunteers for having the creativity and vision to organise such an evening – I hope that this will become a regular event that will benefit the young people of Warrington.”

The popularity of the event has already seen groups and organisations from outside of the town requesting details about the next Wii 2 Real with a view to attending in the future.

Related websites:

British Rope Skipping Association

Zig Zag Children’s Activity Solutions

Warrington Fusion