Nicola White MBE to open the Greater Manchester School Games

Olympic gold medallist, Nicola White MBE

The Greater Manchester Winter School Games on 21st March which will be officially opened by Littleborough's Olympic gold medallist, Nicola White MBE.

Participants have qualified to take part in the Greater Manchester School Games after success in their local area events. There will be 15 sports on show, including Lacrosse, Boccia and Athletics, taking part across 11 venues, including Sport City, the National Basketball Performance Centre and National Cycling Centre.

The athletes will experience an opening ceremony with Nicola, before heading to their competitions where they will be inspired by athletes like gymnast Beth Tweddle MBE, elite boccia player Dan Wain, handball Olympian Holly Lam-Moores and water polo Olympian Hazel Musgrove.

Nicola made her senior international debut for England in June 2009. Past Youth Games athlete, Nicola began playing hockey since aged seven and started her club career at Saddleworth Hockey Club. She was selected for the London 2012 Olympic squad where GB won bronze before going onto victory in Rio four years later.

Young people from Beech House will be volunteering to help with the running of the lacrosse competitions on the day.

Yvonne Harrison, CEO of GreaterSport commented: “We have schools from across the 10 districts of Greater Manchester coming together, making the Greater Manchester Winter School Games one of the largest in the country. We are delighted to welcome Nicola, Beth, Dan, Holly and Hazel to the event alongside our competitors and volunteers.”

Nicola White commented: “I’m privileged to be able to attend and open the Greater Manchester School Games. Events like these are so important in their sporting journey. I know first-hand how taking part in events like the School Games can inspire and motivate young athletes to achieve their potential.”

The schools representing Rochdale are:

• Norden Community Primary School: Athletics – Year 5/6 Sportshall
• St Vincents Primary School: Athletics – Year 5/6 Sportshall
• St Vincents Primary School: Basketball – Year 5/6 Mini
• Rochdale Borough Team: Boccia – Year 7/8/9
• St Patricks RC Primary School: Gymnastics – Year 1 / 2 Key Steps
• Norden Community Primary School: Gymnastics – Year 3/4 Key Steps
• St Vincents Primary School: Gymnastics – Year 5/6 Key Steps
• Middleton Tech: Handball – Year 7/8 Boys
• Handball – Year 7/8 Girls
• Caldershaw Primary School: Hockey – Year 5/6 Quicksticks
• Smithy Bridge: Hockey – Year 5/6 Quicksticks
• Holy Trinity: Lacrosse – Year 5/6 Pop
• St James Primary School: Lacrosse – Year 5/6 Pop
• Cardinal Langley: Netball – Year 7 Girls
• Smithy Bridge: Rugby League – Year 5/6 Tag
• St Mary’s RC: Rugby League – Year 5/6 Tag
• Kingsway Park: Rugby Union – Under 16
• Redwood: Rugby Union – Under 19
• Rochdale Borough Team: Swimming – Primary Gala
• Oulder Hill: Table Tennis – Under 15 Mixed
• Holy Family RC & CE: Inclusive Tennis – Ks3
• Siddal Moor: Volleyball – Year 9/10 Girls Mini Volley
• Beech House: Waterpolo – Year 7/8 Cadet Polo