Member News
Up to £10m of lottery funding will be spent on a schools Olympics aimed at promoting competitive sport and creating a 2012 sporting legacy, the government has announced.
Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt and education secretary Michael Gove announced the initiative which is aimed at promoting competitive sport amongst young people in England and creating a 2012 sporting legacy.
It is hoped the competition will give all young people the chance to be involved in sport.
Jeremy Hunt said in a statement: "I want to give a real boost to competitive sport in schools using the power of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games to encourage young people – whatever age or ability – to take part in this new competition.
"Competitive sport – whether you win or lose – teaches young people great lessons for life. It encourages teamwork, dedication and striving to be the best that you can be.
"This will be a key part of our drive to leave a real lasting sports legacy from London’s games."
Michael Gove added: "We need to revive competitive sport in our schools. Fewer than a third of school pupils take part in regular competitive sport within schools, and fewer than one in five take part in regular competition between schools.
"The School Olympics give us a chance to change that for good."
Schools will compete in leagues at a local level after 2011 and winning athletes and teams qualifying for up to 60 county finals.
The most talented young athletes will then be selected for the national finals.
Olympic-style sports days will be encouraged, where children of all abilities have the opportunity to compete.
A Paralympic-style element will be included at each stage of the competition.
Former Olympic champion and sports ambassador Denise Lewis said: "Competitive sport, when delivered well, can benefit young people in so many ways – from developing social skills and breaking down cultural barriers to providing a platform for self-expression and a sense of he achievement."
Article Comments
I hope that this will encourage schools across the country to get involved so that the Olympics are not seen as a London event but something that the nation as a whole can participate in. Watching an event on TV, it could be anywhere in the world. Getting involved makes a big difference.
It is important that children are encouraged to lead less sedentary lifestyles and to enjoy exercise and keeping fit - something that should stay with them into adulthood. A boost to inter-school sport would also be welcome to foster pupils' pride in their school and to encourage positive relations between pupils from different schools.
Philip Parkin, Voice: the union for education professionals
29th Jun 2010 at 11:47 am
Providing a wide range of sports in schools gives children and young people the chance to participate in activities to which they would not otherwise have access and can really help in enthusing and giving a sense of direction to young people. There really is no need to labour the point about it having to be competitive; by its very nature sport is competitive. The government would do well to remember that many schools do not have access to playing fields or gyms. Money could be well spent improving access to such facilities for schools.
John Bangs, National Union of Teachers
29th Jun 2010 at 11:10 am
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.