Competitions available online for pupils to access in school or from home.
The Black Country Virtual School Games is set to continue in 2021 with competitions available online for those pupils in school as well as those currently learning from home. Co-ordinated and developed by Active Black Country and the Black Country School Games Organisers, the competitions can be downloaded either via the Active Black Country website or the Active Black Country Rainbow Hour Booklet.
2021 will see four more virtual School Games competitions, from January until April including Boccia, Dodgeball, Basketball and Dance for primary and secondary schools, with inclusive versions across all sports. Each competition runs for three weeks, the first two are within the Local Authority area and the third week is the Battle of the Black Country.
To make the competitions as accessible as possible in the current circumstances Active Black Country have highlighted the School Games in the current Rainbow Hour Booklet. The Black Country Rainbow Hour seeks to prioritise the well-being of all 
Ian Carey, Active Black Country Director said: “Congratulations to all the pupils and schools who have been involved so far in the Schools Games, it’s great to see that even when the world is challenging being active is still at the top of everyone’s agenda.
“We’ve been so impressed with the way in which the Black Country School Games Organisers have created a virtual competition and we urge schools in every borough to step up and get involved particularly in these most challenging of times. We hope the competitions are easy enough for young people to join in with, either if they are in school or at home.
“I would like to extend my thanks to all the SGOs and Schools who, despite the most difficult circumstance, are making a very real difference to children and young people and helping them get through this period. I and all the staff at ABC really appreciate all your work.”
2020 saw pupils from schools in every Local Authority compete in an active mile, skipping, multi-skills and Pentathlon and organisers are hoping that young people will be keen to keep active whilst everyone stays at home.
Mrs J Parsons at Blowers Green Primary School in Dudley commented: “At Blowers Green Primary, we were thrilled to be able to take part in the Black Country virtual School Games. Due to the current pandemic, we were unable take part in normal sporting events so to have the opportunity to take part in sporting activities virtually has been revolutionary. Our children have thoroughly enjoyed taken part in all the events and receiving their certificates of achievements. There has been a real sense of competitive spirit at Blowers Green Primary since taking part in the Virtual School Games.”
Activity descriptions and key pointers can be found on theActive Black Country website.
Alternatively, information on the School Games and this terms competition can be found in the Rainbow Hour Booklet which can be downloaded here.