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Schools 500 Games
The Schools 500 Games is a sporting event which will see thousands of children across Newcastle-upon-Tyne competing in a variety of sporting events. They were initiated as part of the Schools 500 programme, Newcastle Schools Olympic Legacy Programme. The programme was awarded the Inspire Mark by LOCOG in February 2011 which means it has been genuinely inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, uses the Olympic and Paralympic values and has been judged to be innovative and exciting. The Games were held for the first time between the 23rd and 26th of June 2011 and are now in their second year.

2011 Games
The 2011 Games began on the 23rd of June, marking 400 days before the start of the London 2012 Games. The event saw nearly 4000 children from 57 schools across the city participated in the Games. The opening ceremony was held at the University of Northumbria’s Sport Central and was inspired by the Olympic Games opening ceremonies with a parade of pupils from all competing schools and some spectacular dance and musical performances. The Games were officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle alongside special guests Steve Cram and Stephen Miller.

These inaugural games comprised of 24 sports each being held over 4 age groups, U9, U11, U12 and U15. The events were held at 5 locations across the city:


 * Benfield Schools hosted the athletics, gymnastics, badminton, fencing, waterpolo, triathlon, softball and boccia
 * Kenton Schools held the football, tennis, volleyball, handball, archery, trampoline and softball event
 * Walbottle Campus hosted the rowing, cycling, hockey, table-tennis, basketball, netball and judo
 * City Pool hosted all swimming events
 * Dance City hosted the dance competition and closing ceremony

The closing ceremony took place on Sunday 26th June 2011, the eve of National School Sport week. It was hosted by the head teachers from Walbottle Campus, Paul Sampson, and Benfield School, Neil Walker. The first presentation of the Simon Goody trophy was made by Simon himself to Gosforth Central Middle School who topped the medals table.

Funding
The Games relied upon a number of organisations for funding.


 * Newcastle Local Authority sponsored the opening ceremony
 * Dickinson Dees Solicitors agreed to sponsor the VIP reception prior to the ceremony
 * AURA, Benfield School, Newcastle City Council, University of Northumbria and Dance City allowed use of their facilities for free or for vastly reduced rates;
 * The Go Ahead Group funded the medals;
 * Tyne and Wear Sport, NHS North East, Start Fitness, Metro Radio, PHC Connect, Euro Hostel, Imageworks North East Ltd., Whittle Print, and NEXUS all also provided sponsorship in-kind or supported the Games with financial contributions.
 * Other organisations who provided their time free of charge to run the sports programme includes: Heaton Harriers, the City of Newcastle Gymnastics Academy, ASA North East Region, Northumberland Badminton Association, Let’s Fence, Tyne Triathlon Club, Percy Hedley Foundation, Newcastle United Foundation, Newcastle City Council Leisure Services, Tyne Rowing Club, Phoenix Cycling Club, Softball UK, England Handball, Killingworth Archers, AAA Sports Club, Newcastle Eagles, Tigers Netball Club.

Volunteers
The Games also relied upon a huge number of volunteers and young leaders. The University of Northumbria, Gateshead Council, Cumbria University, The Tony Blair Foundation and Newcastle secondary schools provided a workforce of volunteer students. The Games also recruited a media team of volunteers from Northumbria and Newcastle Universities. This team broadcasted events from the Games live on a mobile internet radio station, the produced some short promotional videos and provided a photographic record of the Games.

COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas) were the official charity and the Games were also indebted to Newcastle School Improvement Music Service who dedicated it’s 2011 School’s Concert to the Olympics and made prizes available to schools to write an original.

Special Guests
Some special guests were present at the Games and spent time visiting the host venues, interacting with the participants and presenting the medals. Amongst those present were Allison Curbishley, Baroness Sue Campbell, Craig Heap, Chris Cook and Simon Goody (who presented a trophy to the Games which will be awarded every year to the school who tops the medal table).

2012 Games
The 2012 Games will run between the ‘’’5th and 8th of July’’’. This year’s event expects to see over 5000 school children competing, breaking the record for the largest ever single-authority, multi-sport event ever to have been held in the UK.

The programme for 2012 will comprise of 38 sports: handball, indoor rowing, scootering, skateboarding, BMX, volleyball, swimming, cycling, dance, hockey, weightlifting, badminton, rounders, football, tennis, netball, athletics, rugby league, basketball, golf, table tennis, archery, gymnastics, fencing, trampoline, judo, wheelchair basketball, boccia 12’s, goalball, powerchair football, sitting volleyball, disabled archery, adapted rowing, disabled climbing, accessible cycling, disabled judo, disabled athletics and accessible golf.

Like last year, the grand opening ceremony will be held at Northumbria University’s Sport Central, with Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell officially opening the Games.

Changes
Some significant changes were made to the programme for 2012. The number of hosting venues was reduced to just two – Benfield School and the Centre for Sport on Westgate Road. Some satellite venues are also being used which include Excelsior Academy, Dance City, Outer West Pool and Newburn Activity Centre. The Schools 500 website – www.schools500.org – has more details about the selected venues with dates and times. The website has also been used for an online booking system which was accessible to all schools in the area.

Funding
The 2012 Games received considerable funding from Newcastle City Council, through its Active Newcastle Programme to ensure that the best possible programme of activities was available to children in Olympic year.

Mascot
The official mascot for the Schools 500 Games is ‘Speedy’ the dog.