‘Raining’ Champions at Phoenix School Sports Day

Students at Cygnet Hospital Sheffield’s Phoenix School refused to let rain stop play in their fourth annual sports day event at Norfolk Park, Sheffield.

Typical British weather threatened to cancel the event but students and staff had different ideas. There were raised eyebrows at the Met Office headquarters when the participants declared “the show must go on”, after everything from light drizzle to cats and dogs was forecast. Students gasped at the running order which included a ‘limbo’ event for the first time, and also historical favourites such as tug-o-war and dodgeball.

Unicorn Ward (complete with custom t-shirts) opened with a statement of intent by comfortably taking first place in the egg and spoon race, and were also able to carry momentum into the tug-o-war. Having had a serious word with themselves, Pegasus Ward took the sack race but were unable to compete in the 0’s and X’s relay. Officials had to intervene when a ‘floss battle’ (A modern day Haka?) broke out between teams.

Next up Limbo, which according to Wikipedia is “a popular dance contest, based on traditions that originated on the island of Trinidad”. The attempts at limbo couldn’t be described as traditional (or a dance), but good fun was had all the same.

A competitive game of dodgeball closed the event and Unicorn Ward were runaway winners, taking custody of the coveted sports day trophy (until next year at least).

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