Schoolchildren gearing up to become 'Commonwealth Champions '

Hundreds of schoolchildren from across Birmingham are to take over The Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre at Aston University for three days of action-packed sports activities to celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Titan Partnership education charity 'Commonwealth Champions ' event is supported by Aston University, Wesleyan, and Birmingham 2022.

More than 400 pupils from 14 Titan primary schools in the city will travel to the University on 21, 22 and 23 June to take part in games such as basketball, water polo and dodgeball in the hope of winning medals and becoming 'Commonwealth Champions '.

The event aims to help children in Birmingham build their confidence and self-esteem by developing skills such as teamwork, leadership, resilience, perseverance and creativity. Volunteers from companies Hays, Wesleyan and Bruntwood, as well as Aston University, will be supporting the children across the three days.

Joining the school children will be Perry the Birmingham 2022 official mascot on Thursday 23 June.

With Birmingham hosting the Commonwealth Games, this annual event, usually called Aston Olympians, highlights the community spirit and inclusive nature of the city.

The 14 schools involved in the event across the three days are Anglesey Primary School, Bordesley Village Primary School, Brownmead Academy, Chillwell Croft Academy, Cromwell J&I School, Deykin Avenue J&I School, King Solomon International Business School, Ladypool Primary School, Lozells J&I School, Manor Park Academy, St Matthew 's CofE Primary School, Thornton Primary School, Waverley School and Yew Tree Community School.

Saskia Loer Hansen, interim Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said: “We have supported the annual activity, Aston Olympians, for more than 15 years and we are delighted that as an Official University of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games we are able to continue to support schoolchildren in our city.

“It is such an inspiring event that gives children a unique opportunity to develop and grow. ”

Carolyn Chapman-Lees, chief executive of Titan Partnership, added: 'Commonwealth Champions ' is designed specifically to help our children develop a wide range of social, emotional, and general life skills, all in a fun and inclusive way, whilst also getting involved with one of the biggest events to take place in Birmingham, certainly in their lifetimes.

“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of Aston University and Wesleyan and from Hays, Wesleyan and Bruntwood for providing volunteers. ”

Pictured: Previous Aston Olympians event from 2019