A FANTASTIC day of sport was enjoyed by children from 57 schools across South Gloucestershire on Saturday.

Over 700 children took part in one of eight sports – athletics, basketball, football, hockey, multi skills, tag rugby, tennis and volleyball – at the South Gloucestershire Festival of Youth Sport , organised by The South Gloucestershire PE Association and held at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College's WISE campus in Stoke Gifford.

The aim of the event is to encourage a life long participation in sport and to inspire young people to reach their full potential.

The Ridge Junior School entered two teams into the festival.

The athletics event was contested by 19 school teams.

The Ridge has a strong tradition of performing well at this competition and added to their collection of winners trophies.

The athletes had to compete in five field events – standing triple jump, long jump, speed bounce, vortex howler throw and soft hammer throw.

On the track the children ran 75-metre and 600-metre races, which culminated in relays to complete the competition.

After a nervous wait for the final results, The Ridge took the top honours and received their winners trophy from the competition organisers, Kim Hazeldine and Dean Garrett.

St John’s Mead School from Chipping Sodbury had achieved some great performances and were placed third, while Standbridge Primary School had a very strong squad and were placed second.

A team of Year 4 Ridge School children took part in the Quickstix Hockey competition alongside 14 other school teams.

Some exciting matches and an impressive standard of play was evident from all of the youngsters.

They progressed to the semi-final but were beaten by a very good team from Marshfield, who went on to win it.

Ridge School teachers Mrs Karen Long and Mrs Jane Mewse said in a joint statement: “We couldn’t be more proud of the team. They were great ambassadors for our school.”

Other winners included Hawkesbury in the volleyball, St Michael's (Stoke Gifford) in basketball and football, Cadbury Heath in tag rugby.

St Stephen's, Raysfield, St Augustine's and St Anne's were given awards for fair play.

The Ridge athletics team: Liam Jones, Michael Chinnery, Harley Martinez, Rudy Harvey, Rosie Jones, Ellie Williamson, Jessica Hawkins and Lily Clark. Quickstix Hockey team: Henry Skidmore, James Williams, Joshua Harben, Harry Lynham, Sophie Archer and Louise Gregor.