Boxer Brian Rose launches 2020 SPAR Lancashire School Games in Preston

Youngsters from St Maria Goretti Primary School in Preston with Brian Rose and Harriet Ascroft (Preston SGO)

One-hundred schoolchildren from 14 Lancashire districts officially launched the county’s largest youth sporting event, with inspirational talks, lunch and SPAR branded goodies bags, alongside special guest and professional boxer Brian Rose.

Blackpool middleweight Rose left the children spellbound with stories from his career, and said sport was an excellent way of ensuring good physical and mental health.

During Rose’s first title fight in 2009, his opponent, Jason Rushton, suffered serious brain damage, which Rose really struggled to come to terms with.

Kids from Chorley St James School at the launch

He said: “I didn’t box for a year after my fight with Jason and couldn’t face getting back in the ring.

“As a boxer, you’re meant to be unbreakable but I just wanted to give up. I only started to accept what had happened after I admitted I needed help and went to see a psychologist.

“I really want children to understand the importance of talking and that asking for help shouldn’t be taboo.

“So many kids could benefit from using sport as a way to channel frustration and aggression,” added Rose. “I was quite a mischievous child and focusing on boxing definitely helped keep me on the straight and narrow.

Mascots with children from St Oswald’s School in South Ribble

“Sport can teach you so many life lessons including how to deal with setbacks and disappointment. I have had both amazing highs and devastating lows in my career and have found you need dedication, hard work and the strength not to give in when times get hard.”

Rose went on to claim the British title in 2011 and today runs his own gym in Blackpool, whilst training for his next big fight.

Adrian Leather, chief executive at Active Lancashire, said: “The SPAR Lancashire School Games is a unique  programme which was designed around the magic of the 2012 Olympics and aims to motivate and inspire  children to live active, healthy lives.

“Now the largest youth sporting event in the county, the games provide not only traditional sports such as netball and athletics but also inclusive events such as angling, PAN ability football and a dedicated disability swimming gala.”

Peter Dodding, sales and marketing director at James Hall & Co added: “We are  absolutely thrilled to be in our 14th year of sponsorship for the SPAR Lancashire School Games.”