YOUNG sportsmen and women from across the North took their inspiration from this year's Olympics as they battled it out for glory on the pitch, court and in the gymnasium.

 

Hundreds of students from The Emmanuel Schools Foundation came together to pit their best athletes head to head in a challenge of sporting prowess.

 

Organised annually, the ESF 2012 Olympics this year was hosted by The King's Academy in Coulby Newham.

 

Competing for honours were its sister schools - Emmanuel College, Gateshead, Bede Academy, Blyth and Trinity Academy, Thorne, near Doncaster.

 

Competitions included football, rugby, hockey, netball, volleyball and triathlon, featuring rowing machines, static bicycles and the treadmill.

 

In the football, sides were evenly matched with never more than three goals separating the various teams. The contest was finally won by Bede, with Emmanuel coming runner up and The King's and Trinity sharing third place.

 

The rugby competition was a hard fought battle with Trinity coming out on top as clear winners, Emmanuel second, Bede third and The King's fourth.

 

In the hockey positions were reversed with The King's taking the honours and Trinity in last place, while Emmanuel was placed second and Bede third.

 

Emmanuel took the ball to task in the netball claiming first place over Bede in second, Trinity third and The King's fourth.

 

But in the volleyball, The King's bounced back to the top overcoming the power of Emmanuel, Trinity and Bede to take the title.

 

All eyes were on the gym as young athletes recreated rowing, cycling and cross country events on static machines. The King's sportsmen powered to victory ahead of Emmanuel, Bede and Trinity.

 

Principal of The King's Academy Chris Drew said: "All four ESF schools have incredibly committed and talented athletes and the Olympics provided the ideal opportunity to test their mettle.

 

"There has been a palpable buzz about the place and a healthy air of determined but friendly rivalry, which resulted in some very exciting displays of sporting talent."