9 - International sports festival comes to Dudley

Sporting youngsters from England and Germany are set to compete in an international showdown in Dudley.

The Sports Exchange 2008 will see teenage sportsmen and women from Bremen in Germany take on teams and individuals from Dudley.

The annual exchange takes place in the borough this year, after last year’s successful tour to Germany. The event, which caters for school-age children who are members of sports clubs, runs from July 11-17 at a range of venues.

Borough sports clubs will take on the international visitors in a number of events including football, volleyball and tennis.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environment and culture, said:

“This is a fantastic tradition in Dudley and the young people get a lot out of it.

“It promotes sport and well being for all those involved and useful partnership working between the two countries.”

Dudley Council helps organise the event every year with counterparts in Bremen.

The two groups of sporting youngsters will be based at Old Swinford Hospital School, Stourbridge. The games will be hosted by a number of borough sports clubs including Withymoor Colts Football Club, Redhill-Stourbridge Volleyball Club and Stourbridge Tennis Club.

A programme of activities has been drawn up including a day trip to London, and the Black Country Living Museum and a civic reception at Himley Hall.

Note to Editors

The Dudley Bremen Sports Exchange has been running since the 1970s, and was set up after a teacher exchange between the two countries. It aims to set up links between the two countries and use sport as a focus for the young people involved.

Photo call

You are invited to send a photographer to the civic reception for the sports groups at Himley Hall on Monday July 14 at 10am. The Deputy Mayor of Dudley Councillor Pat Martin will be meeting the different sports groups involved.

News Release Contact Information

Name:	Chris Howes
Telephone:	01384 817403
Email:	chris.howes@dudley.gov.uk

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