VETERAN skateboard ace Neil Danns attracted quite a crowd as he launched this year’s Ellesmere Port and Neston Partnership Youth Games.
The 45-year-old British and European champion kicked off the Shell-sponsored games, which will see thousands of children try out many different sports with a view to finding physical activities they enjoy.
Once they have picked up the required skills, they will be given the opportunity to compete at the games finals in the town on Saturday, October 11.
Danns even ran a skateboard competition at Friday’s launch in Whitby Park to demonstrate what the games are about.
Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council’s youth sport development officer Michelle Aspden said: “The launch went exceptionally well, with lots of young people attending the sport taster sessions.
“Neil Danns really connected with the audience and was happy to spend time talking to people about his sporting achievements and how to become successful in skateboarding.
“Thanks must go to all the partners who attended the event – Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust, Rachel Stretford from Shell UK, the Mayor of Ellesmere Port and Neston, and Judith Pugh and Sarah Nancollas from the Cheshire and Warrington Sports Partnership.”
Danns attended the event as part of Sport England’s Sporting Champions programme which brings world class athletes face to face with young people across the country.
The games are not just about sport, however. Embracing urban culture there were graffiti, DJ-ing and MC-ing demonstrations by artist Alexis Milne and music project Deck-tech.
Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust ran a Riskies drop- in session to help young people understand and manage the risks associated with smoking, diet, sexual health, drug and alcohol misuse.
