Ashfords Solicitors - Ashfords School Sports Championships

Introduction

We are shortly to complete a second year of involvement in the Ashfords Schools Sports Championships. The competition, which was conceived and delivered by Ashfords, is now firmly established in the sporting calendar of both independent and state schools in Exeter, Tiverton, Crediton and surrounding areas.

The aim of this project is to bring meaningful and competitive sport back into our schools and enable one school in each sport and each age group to be crowned "Champions of Exeter".

Throughout both the Autumn and Spring terms children in two age groups, under 13s and under 15s, have played in leagues in four sports, rugby, hockey, netball and football. The games are culminating in a Finals Day next Wednesday 26 March 2008 at 10.00am at St Luke's Science and Sports College.

Again, the competition this year has involved nearly 1,300 children from 11 schools, with 60 teams and over 500 matches. The Finals day will be a play-off between the top teams so that one school can be crowned champion in each sport at each age group. On the Finals Day alone there will be 720 children and 72 teams competing.

The competition has only been made possible with additional financial contributions from our other corporate sponsors, South West Communications and South West Water and working closely with the Exeter Schools Sports Partnership. The team has also put in considerable effort lobbying for financial support from Government funds. The total contribution to-date for the competition has been in excess of £80,000.

The Ashfords Schools Sports Championship has become a model format nationally as an example of private sector involvement and partnering within schools.