Thousands of children competed in the annual Cornwall School Games

Over 1,100 children from 38 primary and secondary schools came together on Wednesday 25th June 2025 to take part in the annual Cornwall School Games, the biggest inclusive sport celebration in the county.

Hosted this year at Liskeard School & Community College and Better’s Liskeard Leisure Centre, the Cornwall School Games give students the opportunity to showcase their abilities in multiple school sports and activities. Year-round routes to the games have a strong inclusion focus and for many of these youngsters it was their first time representing their school.

Head teacher at Liskeard School, Dan Wendon, said: “We were privileged to be able to host such a fabulous event for so many children across Cornwall and showcase our facilities, including those supported through Opening Schools Facilities Funding, enabled by Active Cornwall. We had over a hundred of our young leaders actively involved as well as students representing a range of subject areas, so it really was delivered by young people for young people! We are grateful for this amazing opportunity to create a lasting legacy and imprint, building engagement and pride among our students, staff, feeder primary schools and our local community.”

The Cornwall School Games is funded by Sport England, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust and organised locally by Active Cornwall and the host location. The main summer games are part of a series of qualifier events run by School Games Organisers throughout the year. These see 15,000+ young people (20% of all pupils in Cornwall) competing in multiple sports and activities across many venues, supported by over 300 young Games Makers and volunteers.

Abbie Dennison, Education Development Officer at Active Cornwall, said: “This is always such a fantastic event that gives so many children the opportunity to be physically active with their friends whilst getting a taste of competitive sport and representing their school in a safe and supportive space. All the schools involved really get behind the Games and celebrate each other’s success, supporting the values of the School Games and aspirations around ‘Cornwall as a brilliant place to be a child and grow up’. With 957 competitors and 155 young leaders from almost 40 schools, it’s a big event to deliver and my thanks to Liskeard School PE Lead Sara Rowe and her team for their outstanding contribution, and indeed everyone else involved in making it such a success.”

The opening ceremony began with inspirational welcoming addresses, including from Paralympian and School Games Ambassador David Wetherill, before environmentally-friendly confetti canons exploded as children headed off to take part in a range of sports and activities. These included swimming, cycling, bowls, softball, dance, dodgeball, cricket, skate and scoot, rounders, tennis and football.

Abbie continues: “The school and adjoining leisure centre created the perfect venue for this year’s Games, but we must also pay tribute to all the volunteers from Liskeard cricket, tennis, bowls and rugby clubs for supporting us with the use of their fantastic facilities. Thank you also to The Cornwall Bicycle Project, Arena Sports Partnership, Claycutters Softball, Crossfit Kernow, LJT Dance Co, Coach Frank Skate School , Studio 4 Dance, Truro Tennis Club and Cornwall Cricket Board for their help in ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved.”

Young leaders from Liskeard School also became School Games Makers for the day, assisting with the activities, taking photographs, interviewing participants, escorting VIPs and giving out stickers when they could see the School Games values being demonstrated by competitors.

Whilst the Games recognise success by rewarding all children who finish 3rd, 2nd or 1st with medals and trophies, more important are the Games values of Teamwork, Determination, Passion, Self-Belief, Honesty, Respect and being Eco Friendly.

Leader of Cornwall Council, Leigh Frost, said: “What a fantastic day in such a great venue and so well organised and inclusive. It was just brilliant to see so many young people from all over Cornwall taking part with such great enthusiasm and support for one another”.

With thanks to Cornwall Library Services for donating a fabulous range of books for the participating children to take away with them, and to Whirlwind Sports who have generously supported the Cornwall School Games for the last three years.