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14 schools took part  in the Sportshall Athletics Finals on 17 March 2010 at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Garon Park, Southend. Hundreds of School Children supported thier classmates at the athletics county finals.  Sports activities included triple jump, relay, javelin. Some pupils showed real potential to go onto international sporting success,  ultimately leading to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. 

Team GB rifle shooter and Team Essex Ambassador (Essex based NGB potential London 2012 Olympian) James Huckle presented trophies to the joint winners St. John's Church of England Primary School, Buckhurst Hill and St Helen's Junior School, Brentwood.  James also held the a flame to symbolise the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.   

Students made flags from countries around the world to celebrate the cultural side of London 2012 (London 2012 Cultural Oympiad).  Essex Carrying the Flame in partnership with The Art Factory worked with organisers of the County Primary Sportshall Athletics event to offer the winning schools from each School Sport Partnership a half day art workshop. 12 Primary Schools participated in workshops. At the workshops the children made flags which were based on countries that have hosted past Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and countries due to host. Some of the Schools chose children to make the flags who were not participating in the county athletics event. The flags were showcased in the closing ceremony of the event by the children. 

Sportshall was organaised by Carrie Bywater, Senior Competitions Manager for Essex County Council.  Carrie engaged with all 13 School Sport Partnerships across Pan Essex and arranged local heats involving approximately 7,000 young people from primary schools, which led to this great sporting spectacle which firmly promoted ‘More Sport’ in Essex.

The event was covered by BBC Essex. Click here for news article