Competitions • 13 June 2012

Ashford retained their title as county champions as over 100 disabled children competed in the Kent final of the 2012 Panathlon Challenge at Sevenoaks School.

Twenty Kent special schools and over 250 children have been involved in this year’s Challenge, which has been held in conjunction with Kent County Council’s wider School Games initiative.

Ashford, represented by the Wyvern and John Wallis Schools, were victorious in the new-age kurling and table cricket and finished second in athletics and polybat, as they chalked up an impressive 50 points out of 60 on Wednesday.

Runners-up Herne Bay (Archbishops and St Aslems Schools) claimed 46 points after winning gold medals in boccia and athletics, while Sittingbourne (Meadowfield School) were third with 40 following victory in the polybat. Dartford (Milestone Academy) were fourth with 32 points.

All the teams had qualified via regional competitions organised by Panathlon and supported by Kent car dealership, The JCB Group, and the Charles Harris Academy.

Panathlon founder Ashley Iceton said: “It was a thrilling final and Ashford are to be congratulated on retaining their title. They are worthy champions.”

 

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

  •   Pictures are available of all competing teams. Contact simonlansley@connectsport.co.uk for more details
  • The Panathlon Foundation (charity no 1072638) has been delivering competitive opportunities for young disabled people since 1999. It has invested £250,000 in sports equipment and coaching funds across London, Kent, Essex and other areas since October 2011. Panathlon will involve around 2,500 disabled young people in competitions during 2012. Visit www.panathlon.com for more details.
  • The JCB Group is supporting Panathlon across Kent. Its dealerships cover new cars, user cars and commercial needs and are based in seven locations across the county. The group is made up of seven locations across the Kent area. JCB Medway in Gillingham and JCB Volkswagen in Ashford retail new and used Volkswagens, while JCB Honda, JCB SEAT, JCB Suzuki and The JCB Used Car Centre are within easy reach in Ashford.  The JCB Ashford Van Centre and JCB Sittingbourne Van Centre retails Volkswagen commercials. There are also two Trade Parts Centres in Rochester and West Horndon, all of which offer the same high levels of customer service and professionalism.

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