Phil Woolas MP (Minister for Local Government) officially opened the North-West Street Games 2006 sports festival at the City of Manchester Stadium on Friday 1stSeptember 2006. At the event boys and girls up to 16 years of age from some of the region's most socially-economically deprived areas came together for a spectacular day of positive, healthy, sports and activities in some of the best facilities the North West region has to offer.
Young people from twelve inner city areas across the North West represented their own community at the event, East Manchester, Kensington (Liverpool), North Huyton (Liverpool), Heywood (Rochdale) and Hathershaw & Fitton Hill (Oldham) Charlestown & Lower Kersal (Salford) Great Lever (Bolton), Hattersley (Tameside), East Blackburn, Blacon (Chester), Stockport and Tranmere.
There were 700 young people on the day and a similar amount of spectators. Support is being given to the NDC / NMP areas in the North West to utilise this opportunity as a catalyst for activities over the summer holiday and to ensure that there is continued involvement in the sports locally following the event. The teams were well supported by their respective Civic dignitaries with seven Lord and Lady Mayors at the event along with the Sheriff of Chester!
The activities/sports that the young people participated in on the day were Tag Rugby, `Futsal` Football, Kwik Cricket, Sportshall Athletics, Tennis, High 5 Netball, 3 V 3 Basketball, Dance and a Military Challenge. A large number of sporting bodies worked together to deliver this major sporting event including England Athletics, England Netball, England Basketball, the Lawn Tennis Association, the Army and The Alternative Curriculum Company, the Rugby Football Union, Lancashire Cricket Board and the Manchester Football Association.
The event has received funding and support from the Government Office for the North West, The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) and each North West NDC and NMP. In 2006 the event received sponsorship support from SHOKK who specialise in designing fitness equipment and exercise / lifestyle programmes aimed at the young people. The event has been organised and delivered by sport event management company Sport 4 Life on behalf of the North West Street Games Network.
Street Games 
