THE Bank of Scotland Primary Sportshall Challenge will come to its thrilling conclusion next week when the national final takes place at Bell's Sports Centre, Perth, on Tuesday 10^th June 2008.

Teams from schools all over Scotland will gather, aiming to dethrone last years winners Battlefield Primary (Glasgow) to become the new national champions.

The national final is the culmination of the regional heats which have taken place across Scotland over the last few months, involving over 1,400 children.  The ten regional champion schools will contest the final which runs from 12.30pm to 2.45pm.

The Bank of Scotland Primary Sportshall Challenge has been a highly successful venture devised by BADMINTONscotlandís Development Manager Russell Hogg. Its success has been made possible by generous financial backing from Bank of Scotland, as well as tremendous support from the Sports Development department of Perth and Kinross Council.

The concept involves a series of fun games loosely based around some of the techniques used in badminton. It introduces the basics of badminton to children whilst keeping the emphasis very much on having fun.

Whoever emerges victorious, in Russellís opinion everyone is a winner, as the success story that is the Bank of Scotland Primary Sportshall Challenge continues on unabated. He said ěThe level of interest the Bank of Scotland Primary Sportshall Challenge has generated across the country has been amazing. Children from a variety of backgrounds and of varying degrees of fitness have been taking part, getting to grips with some of the basic skills of badminton and most importantly enjoying themselves whilst reaping the obvious benefits to be had with regular exercise.î

He added ěThe games have a widespread appeal as they are very simple and can be played by anyone, regardless of fitness, size or badminton ability. Whilst the games are based around some of the fundamentals involved in badminton, it is not badminton, so prior knowledge of the sport is not necessary. The scheme has been very successful and Iím confident it will continue to grow next year and beyond.î

Karen Tighe, Deputy Head of Sponsorship for Bank of Scotland, said ěIt is very encouraging to see such an enthusiastic uptake from schools for the Bank of Scotland Primary Sportshall Challenge.  The Challenge is the perfect way to introduce young players to Badminton and the huge numbers of children that have turned out in the regional heats this year tells its own story.î

The schools competing are:
St Markís Primary (Hamilton, representing South Lanarkshire)
St Gartsherrie Primary (Coatbridge, representing North Lanarkshire)
Battlefield Primary ( Glasgow)
Applegrove Primary (Forres, representing Moray)
West End Primary ( Elgin, representing Moray)
Greenmill Primary (Cumnock, representing East Ayrshire)
Ballater Primary (Ballater, representing Aberdeenshire)
Finzean Primary (Banchory, representing Aberdeenshire)
Strathkiness Primary (St Andrews, representing Fife)
Donibristle Primary ( Dalgety Bay, representing Fife)

For further information or pictures from the event please contact BADMINTONscotland on 0141 445 1218