Ann-Marie Parry
With less than a month to go before athletes from across the world descend on Glasgow to compete in the Commonwealth Games, pupils at a north-east school have taken part in their own version of the event.
Earlier this month, Meldrum Academy pupils began competing for their school houses in netball, hockey, badminton and table tennis, as well as the specially created Meldrumathlon – their own take on the triathlon – and the Meldrum Mile run.
The Meldrum Legacy Trophy was presented to the winning school house for the first time at an awards ceremony yesterday.
The festival finished just a few days before the Commonwealth Games baton arrives in Aberdeenshire on Sunday.
Councillor Isobel Davidson, who is chairwoman of Aberdeenshire Council’s education, learning and leisure committee, said: “It is fantastic that pupils from Meldrum Academy and young people across Aberdeenshire are getting the opportunity to experience some of the sports that will be exciting so many people from around the world this summer.
“I think the event really helped connect them to what is happening in Glasgow this summer.
“It really brings it home with the Commonwealth Games baton arriving in Oldmeldrum on Sunday too.”
Active Schools and community officer for Formartine, Malcolm Grant, set up the festival.
He said: “Meldrum Academy already has a progressive and volunteer-driven extra-curricular programme featuring many sports that will form parts of the actual games in Glasgow next month.
“This is a great opportunity to provide the pupils with an opportunity to participate in some established sports but also to try something new, as well as working towards increasing participation in sport and developing and supporting a world-class sporting system.”