Northumbria University’s Sport Central will play host to a spectacular showcase of young talent on Thursday, 5 July from 6.30pm to kick off a weekend of Olympic-based activities for pupils across Tyneside.
With the nation gripped by Olympic fever, a crowd of over three thousand people is expected to gather to celebrate the opening ceremony for the Newcastle Schools 500 Games.
Performances on the night will include a spectacular dance piece performed by children from across schools in Newcastle upon Tyne, and a unique musical score featuring an impressive 150 pupil choir.
The highlight of the evening, however, will be a colourful parade of over 400 children representing their schools which will capture the spirit of the Games and give a taste of things to come over the weekend.
Newcastle City Councillor Joanne Kingsland will officially open the Games on the night. There will also be an appearance from British sprint canoeist and Olympic bronze medallist Ian Wynne, who competed in the Athens Summer Olympic Games in 2004.
The Schools 500 programme, now in its second year, will see students embrace the Olympic values by competing in a range of sports from athletics to archery from the 5th - 8th of July.
The events are open to young athletes of all abilities and the programme has been awarded the Inspire Mark by the London 2012 Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games – recognition that it has genuinely been inspired by the values of London 2012.
Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was impressed by the programme saying: “The Newcastle Schools 500 Games programme is a prime example of the calibre of activity that we envisaged taking place when we began planning our Olympic Legacy campaign.
Thousands of young people will take part in a range of Olympic and Paralympic activities that will showcase the athletic talent that I know exists in Newcastle.”
Page last updated: 4 July, 2012
