Bowen High Go For Gold At The Challenge Games And Athletics Carnival

Alongside the Olympic athletes, students from Bowen State High School have been excelling on the track for the past few weeks.

Bowen State High School celebrated 30 years of inclusive athletics at The Challenge Games on Wednesday 24th July.

The Challenge Games are an annual event held at the Townsville Sports Reserve, which allows students of all ages with disabilities to participate in a range of athletic and novelty activities.

Bowen State High School students represent their school with pride and enthusiasm alongside a contingent of other schools across the North Queensland Region.

Head of Diversity Craig Ninnes understands the difficulty that students with disabilities face and praises The Challenge Games inclusivity.  

“Navigating the social landscape of high school can be difficult for students with disability,” Craig Ninnes said.

“The Challenge Games allows students with disability the opportunity to connect with each other through the common theme of athletics. The friendships and self-confidence they build will allow them to improve their own wellbeing, engagement and success in learning.”

The focus of the day was fun, and friendship and students were able to socialise with local primary schools, compete against other high schools, and forge stronger relationships with their own peers.

Events for the day included shotput, long jump, rugby league, vortex throwing, fling-o-majig, 200m and sitting volleyball.

Bowen State High School Students also hit the field in their Interhouse Athletics Carnival, which was held over two days on the 1st and 2nd August.

This year’s carnival saw the highest attendance and participation it has seen in many years.

Students competed in traditional track and field events, as well as age group challenges. Highlights of the carnival included the Mascot Race and the staff verse Year 12 students’ tug-of-war.

Principal of Bowen State High School Rob Harris said these sporting events are important to students as they focus on Olympic values that they want to replicate.

“The focus is to emulate the Olympic values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship,” said Principal Harris.

“When we see students achieving results because of their hard work and training, along with students cheering on their peers and interacting positively with staff to assist with events, it highlights those extra-curricular activities are important for student and staff wellbeing.

“Congratulations to all students on their performances, especially our age champions and we wish those students who have qualified for the North Queensland Trials in Townsville later this month all the best.”

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