News

In a wonderful exhibition of competitive sport between 4 highly motivated teams, Team Thurrock, became the new Essex Panathlon champions in the big county final, played out on 1 July.

The Panathlon Challenge is now in its twelfth successful year of delivering sporting opportunities and “mini-paralympic” type competitions for young disabled sports people.  The teams qualified from their semi-final competitions in May and competed across a range of sports - Boccia, Kurling, Polybat, Table Cricket and Athletics.

Pitched against reigning champions Harlow, Oakview School from Loughton and Tendring (Marketfield and Shorefield Schools), at the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, Chelmsford, the Thurrock team became the Essex Panathlon Champions 2011.

The final was described as 'tremendous' and a 'great credit to the competitiveness of over 100 disabled children in Essex.'

Harlow, winners in the past 2 years, lost out by the narrowest of margins, 2 points. The teams from Oakview and Tendring also played their part, finishing with very creditable points totals themselves.

Special guests included local “Essex Boys”, Paralympic Gold Medalist for Boccia Dan Bentley and Adam Alderman, Paralympic Powerlifter.

The event goes ahead with the help of investment from the Jack Petchey Foundation, Hilton in the Community Foundation and Essex County Council. The Panathlon charity has invested around £25,000 in sports equipment, coaching sessions and multi-sports competitions in Essex over the last few months, creating sporting opportunities for disabled youngsters in ten school sport partnership areas.

Brian Shaw , Curriculum Coordinator, PE and School Sport, for Essex CC said “ The joy and sense of achievement shown on the faces of all of those athletes in the Final was immense. Well done to you all.”

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