22nd June 2007, 07/204
Schoolgirl flies the flag for Lancashire Youth
Games
A creative pupil has scored a goal with her drawing skills and will
be flying the flag for West Lancashire at this year's Lancashire
Youth Games.
Schoolgirl Jessica Gagen beat off 200 hopefuls in a special
competition to see who could design the best banner for their
district to be shown at this crème-de-la-crème sporting
event.
Spar are sponsoring this year's event and had asked schools to
encourage their youngsters to submit artistic banners to be
displayed at this year's games.
Despite tough competition 11-year-old Jessica from St James Primary
in Skelmersdale was the chosen winner for West Lancashire.
Her banner has been reproduced much larger so that she can take it
to the games and lead the teams out onto the field ready for battle
on Saturday 30th June at Blackpool Sports Centre.
Excited Jessica said: "I used my own ideas and took about a week to
design the multi-coloured banner and I thought it was really good.
When I found out that I had won I was jumping up and down and
screaming. I'm really excited to be leading the teams out who are
representing West Lancs during the games although I'm a bit nervous
too but I'm sure it will be good fun."
Councillor Rob Bailey, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said:
"Jessica's work is really outstanding and she deserves to have been
chosen the winner of this competition. It's going to be a great
experience for her to see her work reproduced and to be able to
lead our teams out during this prestigious annual event. I'd also
like to thank all the schools for taking part in this year's
qualifying heats and wish the finalists good luck for the 30th
June."
The Lancashire Youth Games is an annual popular competition that
sees schools from West Lancashire and other districts compete
against each other to win their sporting categories. In this year's
games, West Lancashire District Council's Sports Development Team
are entering teams into a number of categories. The children will
have to compete against the 14 local authorities across Lancashire
for the overall titles in these particular sports.
To find out more about the event, please contact Michelle Hughes on
01695 728184 or for more information about the council's sports
Development Team visit the Sports development section.
Related information
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