Manchester Youth Games

People may see children jumping in a mad maner this Sunday (20th June 1999) but don't fret - they are just doing athletics!

The speed bounce is only one of the new events at Greater Manchester this weekend. It includes jumping from side to side as many times as you can in 30 seconds. It is a test of speed and agility, whoever does the most bounces wins!

It's a great fun event which many people will take part in. Some people have criticised these new events as they are not "real" athletics but organisers believe that it is giving children the skills and interest in real athletics.

There are also other events such as the 1kg ball push ( a ball thrown from the chest),the target throw(throwing a bean bag to a target),the balance test(standing on a 5cm wide beam on one leg for 20 seconds),the vertical jump(jumping against a measured frame),the soft hammer(using a 350g training hammer) and the standing long and triple jump which the under 13's will take part in.

Tony Rose the Chief Executive says ''If we continue to believe in the younger generation and give them a sporting platform on which they can build,our community will develop into the new millenium with vigour and confidence."

But it's not just athletics that boys and girls will be doing,there will be lots more sports.These sports are Basketball which is sponsored by ''English Basketball Association'',

Boccia which is sponsored by ''Sport And Disability-North West'',

Cricket which is sponsored by ''ECB(England Cricket Board)'',

Girls Football which is sponsored by ''The Football Association'',

TGWU Junior Mini-Hockey which is sponsored by ''English Hockey'',

TGWU Senior Mini-Hockey and TGWU U15's Hockey which is also sponsored by ''English Hockey'',

Judo which is sponsored by ''British Judo Association'',

Lacrosse which is sponsored by ''Lacrosse'',

Lawn Tennis which is sponsored by ''LTA(Lawn Tennis Association)'',

Netball which is sponsored by ''England Netball'',

Burns International Security Rugby League championships, which is sponsored by the Rugby Football League,

Rugby Union Championships (which is sponsored by ETTA),

Trampoline championships (sponsored by BTF),

North West Water Waterpolo championships( sponsered by ASA)

.......and last but not least Volleyball (sponsered by GMVA).