West Devon take first place in Devon games

Tavistock played host to the biggest – and best - annual junior sporting occasion in Devon on Saturday, the Devon Games to Inspire.

Some 1,600 competitors, from ten local authority areas, took part in a celebration of sporting and cultural performances at Tavistock College, Crowndale and the Meadows.

There was swimming, running, cricket and skateboarding to name just a few activities and there was live music and dancing throughout the day. The whole event was a huge success as the town’s new facilities, including the athletics track, the all weather pitch and other supporting facilities at Tavistock College, and the Crowndale pitches. Also playing host to the various sports was Tavistock Tennis Centre, Meadowlands Pool, Tavistock Skatepark and the Meadows – all providing an impressive sporting village.

An extra bonus was delivered as the final scores were totalled up and the winning team emerged - it was West Devon. This was the first ever victory for the Borough in the 11 years of the Games. Olympic silver medalist and British modern pentathlete Heather Fell presented the trophy to the winning West Devon team.

The Mayor of West Devon, Cllr John Hockridge, who attended the event, said: “What a fantastic achievement all round. Not only was the day tremendous fun for all the young people competing but for West Devon to be the ultimate winners was a lovely surprise. For some years we have worked hard to provide opportunities for people to be more active in the Borough, it cannot be a coincidence that such success has followed.

”So many people said that it was the best Games that had ever been held.”

The Devon Games to Inspire is a huge undertaking but thanks to support from county wide partners such as RELAYS (Regional Educational Legacy for Art and Youth Sport), Team Devon, the Devon Economic Partnership, Devon County Council and generous sponsorship from local companies Mansbridge and Balment and RM Builders, the costs are shared. The event was planned and coordinated by Hannah Colston, the Borough Council’s Sports Development Officer.

Hannah said: “The games took a lot of organising for the best part of a year but we had some fantastic help from local volunteers and sponsors and we could not have done it without them!

“Tavistock has some tremendous facilities and the Games to Inspire demonstrated what can be achieved when we all pull together.”