London Youth Games reveal exciting calendar of virtual events for School Games Autumn Term

London Youth Games have adapted their School Games offering for the Autumn Term and can reveal an exciting calendar of virtual events, including Inclusive Biathlon, a pan disability event open to all primary and secondary SEN students, Cross Country, a participation event for primary and secondary students, Sportshall Athletics, a mix of track and field events, adapted for schools to take part in any space, and Dance, which is open to all primary and secondary students, and features 3 new inclusive categories.

London Youth Games have partnered with Step Change Studios to develop its new Dance competition that will feature SEN, Inclusive Primary and Inclusive Secondary categories. This year’s virtual competition can have a minimum of 1 or a maximum of 30 dancers on a team. Entries must be submitted via video and will be judged by a panel of industry professionals.

Founder of Step Change Studios, Rashmi Becker, said: “The London Youth Games has been championing physical activity for over four decades and Step Change Studios is delighted to be supporting their efforts to widen participation for all children and young people. This year’s inclusive dance competition has been adapted to ensure individuals that may be shielding at home are able to take part, and I hope the new primary and secondary school categories will encourage more schools to enter inclusive dance teams and showcase the diversity and potential in our schools.”

Following the success of the Virtual Games, London Youth Games are delighted to announce the return of the virtual challenge format. Each week during the Autumn Term a new personal best challenge will be released. Each challenge will relate to a different School Games sport and will be set by a London school. St Thomas More School in Haringey and Grey Court School in Richmond set a Rugby challenge for the first week.

LYG CEO, Andy Dalby-Welsh, said: “Over the last 40 years, we have seen the benefit sport has on the physical and mental wellbeing of our young people. Now more than ever, it is important for our young people to keep active. The Covid-19 pandemic may have changed the way we are able to deliver sport for young people, but our commitment to providing exciting and inclusive sporting opportunities for all young Londoners remains the same. With the introduction of four virtual events and the return of the Virtual Games, our School Games Autumn term calendar will ensure students of all ages, abilities and impairments can stay active and engaged in sport.”