Each June and July 30 plus Catholic Primary schools come together over a 2 week period to compete at Wavertree. Somewhere in the region of 700 children have the opportunity to represent their schools and develop their athletic abilities in an arena of true competition. Standards are high and a number of professional athletes, including Olympian Heptathlete Katarina Johnson Thompson, have taken part in this competition.
Schools compete in 4 groups, according to their size. These are Major, Large Inter, Small Inter and Minor schools. From each group, children who have placed first or second in sprint races (hurdles, 135m- Years 5 and 6 only, 75m and relay- Years 3-6) and are placed first, second or third in distance races (600m for Y5 and Y6 girls, 800m Y6 boys) as well as the high and long jumps, all qualify for the Champion of Champions event.
In the group heats the winning child in each event receives a gold medal, with placed children receiving a certificate. Schools also win trophies for accruing the most points overall in boys and girls competitions, as well as the most points per pupil average, called the Merit trophy.
At our Champion of Champions event, the first 3 placed children each receive a medal with all competitors also receiving a certificate. The overall winning school in both Boys and Girls competitions wins the prestigious Colin Semple memorial trophy, named after Colin, former Headteacher of St Paschal Baylon Catholic Primary School who was hugely influential in securing high quality athletics for the children of Liverpool.
All of this is put together by a small but dedicated band of volunteer teachers and school staff who want to encourage children to lead healthy lifestyles and take part in high quality athletic competition. If you lead athletics in your school and want more information about taking part in this competition, please contact:
Rachel Morrison, St Gregory's Catholic Primary School. Tel: 0151 4984313
Staff involved in teaching and coaching of athletics need to be aware of the requirements of our competitions but also the techniques involved to enable children to compete with others. Teaching correct technique in events such as sprints, hurdles, relay and jumps ensure that a child can compete but will also be safe whilst competing.
There are many resources available, both to buy and for free at : http://www.englandathletics.org/athletics-in-schools/teachingathletics/teaching-resources
Groups for the 2022 competitions have now been finalised and can be downloaded from this page. Organisers will be in touch after the Easter break to confirm your attendance and the names of staff who will be officiating.
Major - Monday 20th June
Large Inter - Tuesday 21st June
Small Inter - Monday 27th June
Minor - Wednesday 22nd June
Please provide a minimum of 3 staff to officiate as this will ensure coverage. Some staff may be requested to arrive early in order to help set up equipment etc. It is a prerequisite of competing that schools provide staff to officiate. Should your school fail to provide sufficient staff then your school may be withdrawn from competition. Athletics leads within schools are asked to remind their Headteachers of this requirement. Please also inform school leaders that additional staff may be required either before or after events to help set up or put away equipment in the event that Wavertree staff are unavailable.
Supervision of children whilst not competing is a decision for each school and competition organisers will not take responsibility for children missing their events because of late arrival at the event.
Our AGM took place on 10th February 2022. A focus of the AGM was on the quality of officials, difficulties in finding officials and the behaviour and attitude of the public toward officials. Schools are reminded above of the requirement to provide officials. Officials are reminded that children and schools will have trained hard for their competitions and therefore the job of officiating is taken seriously.
Schools are asked to remind their families in attendance to be respectful of officials, who have volunteered their own time to attend. Should families have any issues with the standard of officiating, this is taken up with their own school staff who will raise concerns.
Most importantly, we expect all school communities to be mutually appreciative of one another, applauding all children who take part and from time to time, offering a word of thanks to school staff who offer their time freely to enable Liverpool children to have such wonderful opportunities and experiences.
Major - Monday 20th June
Large Inter - Tuesday 21st June
Small Inter - Monday 27th June
Minor - Wednesday 22nd June
Reserve dates: 28th & 29th June
All above competitions take place from 3-6pm at Wavertree.
Champion of Champions takes place from 1-4pm on Tuesday 5th July 2022 at Wavertree also.