International Children’s Games relay starts at Underbank Primary

CROSSFORD’S Underbank Primary School was the venue last week for the launch of an International Children’s Games themed walking relay cover all 124 primary schools in South Lanarkshire and helping raise awareness of the Games in a healthy and fun way.For more information on this story, see this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.

The Games flag will be passed from school to school and as soon as the Clydesdale leg is concluded, it will go to Hamilton and East Kilbride before finishing in Rutherglen.

The specially designed banner is being carried between schools and handed over by pupils to keep the relay going in its purest form. In the few areas where this is not possible, due to distance or unsafe walking routes, the flag is being transported by the Lanarkshire 2011 ICG info bus. Pupils will receive ICG information packs, including a DVD which can be used during school assemblies to inform pupils, parents and the wider community about the Children’s Games.

Martin Webb, active schools co-ordinator for Clydedale, said: “There’s a real buzz about the Games at every school and the relay is a great way to make sure every primary school in South Lanarkshire is involved.

“The pupils are having a great time and have loved all the attention the banner is getting as it is transferred between schools.”

Almost 1,500 competitors aged 12 to 15 from 80 cities will head to Lanarkshire for the Games in August. They’ll be joined by coaches, administrators and delegates.