Sports clubs

A programme of after-school clubs to encourage primary school children to play more sport is being launched.

The government has put £1 million into the Youth Sport Trust scheme, aimed at improving basic skills, such as throwing, catching and balance.

It is hoped 800 clubs will be running across Britain by the end of next year.

The initiative comes amid growing concern over pupils' health. The childhood obesity rate rose from 9.6 per cent in 1995 to more than 15 per cent in 2002.

Stakeholder Response: British Sports Trust

A spokesman for the British Sports Trust said: "Twenty years ago, an average school with four PE teachers might run four after school sports clubs. In schools where the Sports Leader Awards are well established, we now have four PE teachers supervising up to twenty after school clubs, run by sports leaders.

 

"Since 1982, the Sports Leader Awards have encouraged young more sports activity among schoolchildren by creating a raft of trained and motivated sports organisers.  The Awards develop in young people the skills and the confidence required to organise sports activities for others. These include teaching them to take on responsibility - how to lead teams, communicate, organise and motivate others.