Hundreds of Birmingham school pupils ‘Bring the Power’ to celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Published: 5th Jul 2022
Young people from schools across the city participate in sports, arts and cultural activities to celebrate Birmingham 2022 through the Bring the Power programme
Birmingham 2022’s ‘Bring the Power’ programme welcomed over 700 primary school children from across Birmingham to King Edward VI High School for Girls to celebrate this summer’s Games.
Pupils aged 8 to 11 years, participated in sports, arts, and culture as part of a packed day of inspiring activities to promote the Games which comes to Birmingham and the West Midlands later this month.
With the Queen’s Baton heading for the Opening Ceremony at Alexander Stadium on 28 July, young people got to experience the excitement with their own ceremony to start the day with a guest appearance from Perry, the official Games mascot and a Haka inspired dance routine for a flavour of Commonwealth culture.
Young people tried out Games sports such as; Lawn Bowls, Hockey, Athletics, Squash, Netball, Triathlon, Volleyball, Table tennis, Boxing, Cricket, Rugby, as well as taking part in dance, cheer, music and graffiti workshops to widen their horizons and opportunities.
Overseeing the action was CBBC presenter Ben Cajee as host, whilst boxing Commonwealth gold medallist and Birmingham born Galal Yafai was on hand to answer questions, pass on sporting tips and inspire the next generation of sporting stars.
Alton Brown, Head of Youth Programmes and Policy at Birmingham 2022 said:
“We welcomed 700 primary school children to our ‘Bring the Power’ schools celebration day to enjoy and be inspired by sports, art, and culture.
Through the Bring the Power youth programme, we have worked to ensure children and young people fully feel the benefit of the Games taking place regionally and across England, today was a fantastic example of that.
Our ‘Bring the Power’ programme aims to reach and inspire children and young people across the country and creates opportunities for them to feel part of Birmingham 2022. The enthusiasm demonstrated today and the inspirational moments experienced by pupils will leave a great legacy.”
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Galal Yafai, who is working with Birmingham 2022 on Bring the Power, said: “It was inspiring to see so many young people take part in sport and other activities. Sport had a positive impact on my life and has the power to change lives for the better. The Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham, and programmes such as ‘Bring the Power’ will help our young people to feel empowered by sport.”
Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:
“Events like this show that it doesn’t matter if you don’t live near one of the Games venues, festival sites or have a ticket to any of the sports – Birmingham 2022 is reaching out to people of all ages and all backgrounds in all areas, celebrating everything great about the Proud Host City.
The pupils at this event have had the privilege of meeting and hearing from one of the city’s Commonwealth Games greats. I am sure the inspiration they and many other young people will draw from taking part in the ‘Bring the Power’ programme will stay with them for many years to come.”
The event is just one example of the Games’ ‘Bring the Power’ programme which aims to widen knowledge, improve access to sports, art and culture while helping to boost confidence and resilience of children and young people. The programme is working closely with schools, groups and partners allow young people to understand the background as well as the power of Birmingham 2022.