MORE than 600 pupils from 21 secondary schools across Cornwall arrive at Truro and Penair School’s to compete in county finals for the first medals and league table places as part of the 2016 Cornwall School Games on Friday.

This is the first time that winter finals have been merged to create a Winter Games.

Indoor Rowing – Held in the sports hall at Penair School with categories for Girls and Boys from Years 7 to 13. Record entries nearing 300 have been received for this event and should see the fiercest competition yet! British Rowing will be scouting for talent at the event for places on their GB Rowing Start Programme, the programme that Olympic Gold Medallist Helen Glover began her Rowing career.

Handball – Held in the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Hall at Truro School and will see 224 competitors from across 4 categories from year 7 to 10. Competing schools have qualified from their area competitions earlier in the year. Winning schools will go on to represent the County in the EHA National School Competition Regional Finals.

Hockey – Held at Truro and Penair Schools’ Hockey pitches. This competition will see 12 teams (132 competitors) of mixed gender year 10 students battling it out to take the crown. This is the first time that this annual event will be part of the Cornwall School Games.

Rachel Knott, one of the event organisers from Cornwall Sports Partnership said: “The first winter finals day should be an exciting experience for competitors.”

The events are run in partnership with British Rowing, England Handball, Cornwall Hockey Association, Local School Games Organisers, Cornwall Sports Partnership, Cornwall Schools and Head Teachers. Young Leaders are trained throughout the year to help run the day.