Carrying the Flame: EMAT’s Torch Relay and Ability Games 2026
Carrying the Flame: EMAT’s Torch Relay and Ability Games 2026:
Day One Highlights with Nekoda Davis OLY:
On Monday 8th June 2026, the East Midlands Academy Trust Torch Relay started at Northampton International Academy. The day began with an assembly by Nekoda Davis OLY. The younger children then took part in relay races in the hall, as the rain fell, ably assisted by Nekoda. As the rain eased, we then moved outside for the older children and although the rain began to fall again, the children were not deterred and ran several laps of the playground high fiving Nekoda each time they passed her. The final session at NIA was a presentation and Q&A to the This Girl Can committee and some Year 10 students.
Day two with Leon Greenwood OLY:
The torch then continued its journey and arrived on Tuesday 9th June at Castle Academy, this time supported by Leon Greenwood OLY. Under clearer skies than the previous day, Leon introduced himself as a bobsleigh athlete before warming each year group up for their laps of the playing field. As on the previous day with Nekoda, lots of high fives and cheering the students on. A quick Q&A with some members of the School Council followed before a trip to Stimpson Academy. Again, with the sun now shining, Leon introduced himself before setting each year group up on their laps of the playground.
Day three with Tania Nadarajah PLY:
On Wednesday 10th June, the heavens opened once more on our arrival at Orchard Academy with Tania Nadarajah PLY. After a quick assessment of the hall, it was agreed we would continue the sports relay in the hall. However, just before we were due to start the skies cleared so Tania was able to introduce herself and do the warm-ups on the playground. All the children were very enthusiastic, high fiving Tania with her ‘foam hand’ each time they passed her. From Orchard, the torch continued round the corner to Shepherdswell Academy where the early years to Year 2 all completed their runs around the playground. With the music playing, the children were all smiles as they ran in the sunshine!
Day four with Grace Balsdon OLY:
The torch then continued its journey to Prince William School on Thursday 11th June with Grace Balsdon OLY. Grace gave a short presentation to Sixth Form students, followed by a Q&A before heading to the Gym to talk to Year 7 students about resilience and ambition. A journey then followed to Hardingstone Primary where again the weather impacted the outside activities so all the students ran their laps enthusiastically in the hall.
Day five with Laura Sugar MBE:
The final day of the torch’s journey saw it accompanied by Laura Sugar MBE, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist. The first stop was Chacombe Primary School, where the children and staff were incredibly excited to meet what they described as “a real-life famous sports star”. Laura delivered a 15-minute presentation to the whole school before heading outside, where the younger year groups completed their laps while the older pupils cheered them on alongside Laura and her foam high-five hand. The groups then swapped over, ensuring everyone had the opportunity to take part. There was plenty of excitement throughout the visit, with lots of enthusiastic questions from the children.
The torch then continued to Culworth Primary School, just a short 10-minute drive away. Laura began with a 10-minute talk to the younger pupils before heading outside for their laps. She then returned indoors to speak to the older year groups before taking them outside to complete their laps around the playground. The children were eager to take part and showed great enthusiasm throughout the visit.
The final stop of the day was Boddington Primary School, home to just 44 pupils aged between 2 and 11 years old. With the sun shining, Laura delivered her presentation outside before the relay activities began. The younger children ran on the inner section of the playground while the older pupils completed laps around the outer edge. There were lots of smiles as the children took part, and after 15 minutes of running, Laura headed into the hall with the Year 5 and Year 6 pupils for an excellent question-and-answer session. This brought a fitting conclusion to both the day’s activities and the torch relay’s two-week journey.
The Ability Games joined by Siobhan Fitzpatrick PLY:
The idea of the torch relay is to build towards the EMAT Olympic Day and the Ability Games. The Ability Games were held this year at Hardingstone Primary on Wednesday 17th June. The event this year was attended by Siobhan Fitzpatrick PLY. As the weather threatened again to spoil the day, some of the activities were set up inside. However, the rain eased enough for the basketball to continue outside and Siobhan was able to encourage and support the children as they took part. Siobhan managed to see children taking part in not only basketball, but cricket, tennis, table tennis, boccia, curling and other indoor based activities. The day concluded with Siobhan presenting all the children that took part with their medals.
Thank you EMAT:
Yet again, another wonderful event organised by EMAT – thank you for inviting The Mintridge Foundation to be part of this amazing event.
Scroll down to see some photos from each day!
Nekoda Davis OLY
Day one of The Torch Relay
Leon Greenwood OLY
Day two of The Torch Relay
Tania Nadarajah PLY
Day three of The Torch Relay
Grace Balsdon OLY
Day four of The Torch Relay
Laura Sugar MBE
Day five of The Torch Relay
Siobhan Fitzpatrick PLY
Guest of Honour at the Ability Games
About Us:
The Mintridge Foundation is a UK-wide charity dedicated to turbo-boosting young people's development and opportunities through the transformative power of sports. Our innovative programs and collaborations inspire, mentor, and guide the next generation to thrive.
