Pupils from Rush Green Primary School in Romford were “absolutely ecstatic” to win our first ever England National Primary Ten-Pin Bowling Final on Wednesday (19 March).
The nationwide event comprised of 13 Regional Finals taking place simultaneously across the country, with a total of 123 teams and 700 pupils participating. Scores from each event were immediately logged and compared, and the team with the highest average score declared our inaugural English champions.
That team was Rush Green, winners of the East London Regional Primary Final, who recorded an average score of 103.8. They just edged out Falla Park from Gateshead, champions in our North East Regional Final in Sunderland, who averaged 101.17.
Somerville Primary from Birmingham, who were champions in our West Midlands Regional Final, were third amongst the Regional area winners with a 99.83 average.
Culverhill School from Bristol, who won the West Country Regional Final in Gloucester, were the highest-ranked Special School in the country. Ty from Hurworth Primary in Darlington (pictured below) achieved the top individual score of 141.
Wednesday’s event came hot on the heels of last month’s inaugural Wales National Primary 10-Pin Bowling Final which was won by Ysgol Maes y Felin from Holywell in Flintshire.
“The kids were so happy that some of them were physically shaking!” said Kajol Mia from English national champions Rush Green. “We didn’t expect to win, so they are absolutely ecstatic. Four of our team scored above 100, so it was a real team effort.
“It’s made a huge impact. It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
He added: “The build-up to today has been very exciting. They’ve been approaching me in the corridors and the playground to ask, ‘When are we going bowling?’ It’s got the whole school talking about bowling. I’ve had to tell some of the mainstream children that unfortunately this competition is only for a select few.
“After they won the county event, they got a massive round of applause from their peers and their class teacher the following day. They will get an even bigger cheer tomorrow!
“This activity works really well for this cohort of children and allows them to get a massive sense of achievement.”
National runners-up Falla Park (above) returned to school sworn to secrecy after winning the North East Regional Final in Sunderland. They are keeping their victory under wraps until it’s revealed in Friday’s achievement assembly in front of the whole school.
“They’re dying to tell everybody but the head teacher is the only one who knows,” said Sharon Chapplow, SEN Teaching Assistant at the Gateshead school.
“When they were announcing the winners, we thought, ‘No, it can’t possibly be us!’ It’s boosted their confidence so much. They’re not as confident in school, but this really raises their self-esteem.
“The children couldn’t be happier. They are jumping about like they have springs in their shoes. Me and the staff were almost as excited as they were. After we won the county final, it was an honour to be invited back to compete again. Winning again was just the icing on the cake.”
Panathlon Chief Operating Officer Tony Waymouth said: “It has been such a joy for all our staff across the regions to see the fruits of their labour with this National Final. Thank you to them and all our national and regional sponsors who have all contributed to the successful delivery of the pathway this academic year.
“This National Final has brought schools and staff together to be part of something bigger than they’ve ever been involved in before. Our National Finals structure makes schools and children feel connected across the country and gives individuals and teams their own platform to achieve and shine.”
