The SPAR Lancashire School Games has been proudly supported by SPAR UK through its wholesaler James Hall & Co. Ltd since 2006. Around 1,000 children enjoyed celebratory finale events as the 18th edition of the Games across a trio of events.

A Party in the Park in Burnley, a Blackpool Zoo Orienteering Festival, and a Central Festival in Preston saw the games finish in fine style. Activities held across the trio of events included a traditional sports day, a creative dance production, outdoor activities, target sports, quad kids athletics, orienteering, football skills, crown green bowling, scootering, tennis skills, and kayaking.

Reformed structure in 2024

This academic year saw the Games reformatted with an increased focus on organising events and competitions in three distinct clusters in Lancashire – Coastal, Central, and Pennine – ensuring schoolchildren enjoy a programme of activity better aligned to local needs.

Long-standing partnership

Over the course of 18 years, SPAR UK, through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd, has invested more than £250,000 into the Lancashire School Games and in 2023-24, the Games engaged 26,000 children in sport and activities across Lancashire.

Niels Dekkers, Retail Development Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “It is fantastic seeing schoolchildren enjoy physical activity, as well as building important life skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving.

“I would like to congratulate Active Lancashire and the School Games Organiser Network on delivering another successful year of impactful games, competitions and activities. It has been another Games that we have been proud to sponsor with the SPAR brand.”

Andy Clark, Schools Partnership Officer at Active Lancashire, said: “It really does bring home what the SPAR Lancashire School Games are all about when you so many young people at the summer finale enjoying physical activity while learning at the same time.

“Our cluster model of delivery this year has enabled us to reach even more children this year, especially those who do not regularly take part in physical activity. Our thanks go to SPAR and James Hall & Co. Ltd for their continued sponsorship and the efforts of our amazing School Games Organiser Network, without whom none of this would be achievable.”

Source: James Hall & Co. Ltd

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About SPAR UK

The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted a licence to utilise the SPAR brand to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR in the UK comprises independently owned and licensed retailers as well as company-owned stores.