Spring Series BMX School Games 2019 ON WEDNESDAY 20TH MARCH 2019, 125 RIDERS FROM ACROSS LONDON MET AT THE OLYMPIC PARK BMX TRACK TO COMPETE IN ACCESS SPORT’S SPRING SERIES BMX SCHOOL GAMES. Race Day Report: 125 students from 10 schools across London came together on Wednesday 20th March to take part in an exhilarating day of BMX racing at the Olympic Park BMX Track. Now that their sessions as part of Access Sport’s Making Trax Programme are coming to an end, it was great to see so many students come together and show off all the skills they have learnt over the last few weeks! We kicked off the day with the Wingz category where the male riders from Chaffinch Brook, and BMX School Games newcomers, Drumbeat, and Elm Court took the track in the first set of motos. All three schools had a mixture of results making it extremely difficult to differentiate them at the start! They were swiftly followed by our Wingz Girls, where all 3 competitors remained neck and neck! Then, it was the turn of the year 9&10+ boys, where all riders fought hard for the top spot. Regulars Woolwich Poly looked like the favourites, but the Ian Mikardo and Croydon Home Ed riders definitely made them work for it. The year 7&8 boys were next where Croydon Home Ed stole the show winning all 3 of their races! However, the riders from Elm Green were not going to make this easy for them being on their tail every step of the way! This was promptly followed by the 6&7 girls, who were almost indistinguishable! Competitors from all 4 schools represented in this category were definitely on track to making it to the final! Following the trend set by their year 7 and 8 boys, the Croydon Home Ed students representing the girls 3, 4 and 5 category excelled in their motos and were definitely on track to the final. However, the riders from St Joseph’s were hot on their heels and were determined to beat them! Finally, we had our biggest category, the primary boys. This was an extremely competitive category, but St Helen’s and Manorfield seemed to take the edge! However, Croydon Home Ed’s performance throughout the day and St Joseph’s sheer determination made this group extremely hard to call! After lunch, the final set of motos were completed to determine the top 8 riders in each age category who would make it through to the final. Due to Drumbeat and Chaffinch Brook having to leave early, the riders from Elm Court competed against each other to determine the Wingz winner, including our only Wingz female rider left; she definitely gave the boys a run for their money! In the boy’s 9&10+ category, the final moto closed many gaps between riders, so it was unclear whether Woolwich poly or Ian Mikardo would take the gold! The boys 7 and 8 category was even closer, as all 4 schools were represented in the final, it was almost impossible to tell who would win! The same has to be said for all of our remaining categories, who all fought hard in the final set of motos to represent their school in the finals! All of the schools were represented in our girls categories, as well as the primary boys category which was outstanding to see! It was definitely going to be an exciting final! The teachers and volunteers were next to take to the track and it was great to see so many involved, we had to have two races to accommodate them all! It was great fun to watch and the riders definitely loved seeing their teachers on the bike for a change! Due to the high standard of riding, the scores were extremely close, but the final 8 were announced and they took to the start hill to begin their final race. This race alone determined who would earn the chance to stand on the podium with glory. The riders took to the track for the final time and closed the Spring School Games 2019 in style! We want to say a massive well done to everyone that took part! The determination, sportsmanship and talent on display made for a wonderful event! It was clear all the riders had worked hard in the sessions leading up to the event, as the standard of riding was so high! An extra special mention must go to the teachers from every school, our volunteers from Columbia Threadneedle and New City College, and Velopark staff whose patience, organisation and support was a credit to the overall running of the day. A huge thank you to everyone for coming, and we hope to see you at the Summer series! Full List of Winners of the Spring Series BMX School Games 2019: WINGZ BOYS 1ST – Yonis Ahmed (ELM COURT), 2nd – Karnell McCluskey (ELM COURT), 3rd Darvanie Crawford (ELM COURT) WINGZ GIRLS 1ST – Krystal Rainer (ELM COURT), 2nd – Kirsty Kakou (DRUMBEAT) , 3rd - Taylor Clitheroe (DRUMBEAT) BOYS 9/10+ 1ST – Mason Bartolo (WOOLWICH POLY), 2nd – Dru Dennis (WOOLWICH POLY), 3rd Johnathon Taylor (IAN MIKARDO) BOYS 7/8 1ST – Taijon Thomas-Fray (ELM GREEN), 2nd – Che Brownswaby (ELM GREEN), 3rd Daniel Maudslay-Cross (CROYDON HOME ED) GIRLS 6/7 1ST – Mollie Curtis (ELMGREEN), 2nd – Jaziya Ahmed (MANORFIELD), 3rd Imani Jeffrey McAdam (MANORFIELD) GIRLS 3/4/5 1ST – Juarnelle Gen-One (CROYDON HOME ED), 2nd – Beatrice Kosia (ST JOSEPH'S), 3rd Tanisha Kizito (ST HELEN'S) PRIMARY BOYS 1ST – KC Ozue (MANORFIELD), 2nd – Jentai Gen-One (CROYDON HOME ED), 3rd Jahiem Gen-One (CROYDON HOME ED) INDIVIDUAL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: MOLLIE CURTIS The Individual Sportsmanship trophy is to recognise the individual that Access Sport staff believe demonstrate notable etiquette throughout the day. The award was presented to Mollie as numerous Access Sport staff and other schools throughout the day commented on her friendliness, effort and positivity to not only her own performances but to other participants in all of the races. Well done Mollie! TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: THE ELM GREEN SCHOOL The schools voted for the school that they felt had shown the best sportsmanship towards them and their team. This was awarded to The Elm Green School for their fantastic efforts and sportsmanship. Well done Elm Green! VOLUNTEERS Throughout the day staff and volunteers worked effortlessly to ensure that events ran accordingly, especially our volunteers from Columbia Threadneedle who came down to help out. Despite the cold weather, they continued to smile and remain positive throughout the day to help encourage our young riders. This positive attitude continued into the teachers and volunteer race, with some great BMX on show by Columbia Threadneedle and the teachers. I think they all realised it is not as easy as the students make it look! A busy but very enjoyable day, so massive thanks to Columbia Threadneedle and everyone that helped out on the day for their tremendous efforts in taking on a variety of roles and responsibilities. A special mention should also be made to Jason from our Access Sport Youth Board and three students from New City College - McClane, Bradley & Mudassar - who volunteered as part of the Ignite Programme's Youth Development project. The students were enthusiastic, keen and played an integral part in the day.