PUPILS from across Peeblesshire climbed onto their very own podiums earlier this month.

Stars from the Commonwealth Games were on hand to reward all of them for their participation in a special Borders Sport & Leisure Commonwealth Passport Scheme.

The unique initiative launched in January and was designed to encourage children to enter into the spirit of the Games and take part in sporting activities out of school hours. All of the region’s primary school pupils were encouraged to participate in a number of different sessions. Ewan Jackson, Chief Executive of Borders Sport & Leisure, said: “The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow were an inspiration to children and adults across Scotland and this Passport Scheme was an effort to encapsulate this sporting spirit and encourage young people from across the region to try out new activities. “We’re delighted that so many took up the challenge and hope that for them, this scheme will be a passport to an active and healthy future. We may even have helped to inspire some elite athletes of the future.” The children were awarded points on their passports for each session they attended and depending on the points accrued, they each received gold, silver or bronze medals or a certificate for their efforts.

West Linton Primary scooped 44 gold, 50 silver, 16 bronze medals and 2 certificates, while at Broughton the pupils achieved 12 gold, 11 silver, 5 bronze medals and 4 certificates.

There were 12 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals handed out at Newlands, and the pupils of Kingsland Primary earned 72 gold, 28 silver, 16 bronze medals and 2 certificates.

Halyrude’s sporting stars accumulated 17 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Presentation ceremonies saw athlete Chris O’Hare, netball star Jo Pettitt and mountain bike champion Grant Ferguson present the medals and certificates.

Paul Murray, Borders Sport & Leisure Active Schools Coordinator, said: “The Tweeddale cluster really got behind the Commonwealth Passport programme and I’d like to say a big thank-you to all of the school staff, parents and community clubs who helped children participate in the scheme. “To have Chris, Jo and Grant come into schools to present the children with their medals was a really inspiring way to round off the programme. Congratulations again to all of the children involved and hopefully many of them will now continue to participate in a new sport they have found as part of their passport experience.”