AS the start of the Olympic Games draws ever closer, the legacy of the Bassetlaw Games left another lasting mark as more than 150 students were introduced to the sport of Handball.

Students from six schools across the district have taken part in the Olympic sport for the first time thanks to Bassetlaw District’s Sports Development team and senior England Handball coach Rickie Bailey.

And it is now hoped that Handball may find its way onto the curriculum of some local schools and with many of the students, both boys and girls, taking it up as a hobby.

The coaching sessions were brought to a close as Tuxford and Retford Oaks Academies boys teams took each other on in a final match, with Tuxford winning 5-3.

Tony Wright from Bassetlaw District Council Sports Development said, “It was a great game to watch and the Handball skills shown were of very high standard.

“With the help of England Handball Coach Rickie Bailey, we hope to set up a Bassetlaw Handball Club in the autumn so that these players can continue to develop their skills and possibly enter a league.”

The schools involved included Tuxford, Retford Oaks, Elizabethan, Valley, Portland and Serlby Park Academies as well as North Notts College.

The Bassetlaw Games is a 9 month series of events, tournaments, competitions, coaching and come and try it sessions for Bassetlaw residents to enjoy during the year of The London Olympic & Paralympic Games. The aim is to deliver as many of the Olympic & Paralympic Sports as possible within Bassetlaw before the London Games commence.

The Bassetlaw Games Festival of Sport is due to take place at Retford Town Hall on Saturday 14th July, 2012 from 10am-3pm. Children and adults of all ages are invited to come along to see what’s on offer.