OVER 100 children from throughout the North of England descended on Leigh Sports Village to participate in the English Federation of Disability Sport Festival of Sport North.

The festival, staged on Friday and Saturday , was open to six to 16 year olds, and provided those with disabilities the opportunity to participate in variety of sports and also encouraged social engagement.

The event was funded by the Unite Foundation and National Governing Bodies, including the Rugby Football League, English Cricket Board, England Athletics, Amateur Swimming Association and The English Table Tennis Association, provided qualified coaches to deliver the event.

Pupils from New Greenhall School at Atherton and Hope School, Wigan were among those from schools in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria who took part in a range of sports including athletics, rugby league, cricket, swimming, table tennis and Boccia.

One particular highlight from the festival was when Leigh Centurions took on Wigan Warriors in a wheelchair rugby match.

Garry Hyndman, National Events Co-ordinator for EFDS, said, “The event has gone really well. Through the National Governing Bodies we have engaged with schools that we haven’t had previous contact with and the NGBs have delivered high quality sessions with their qualified coaches.

“The event provides opportunities for children with disabilities, increasing social engagement as well as providing friendly competition. The Games are about grassroots participation and they provide children with the confidence to compete in higher level regional, national and international competition as part of the development pathway.”