Future Fitnes (June)

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Sport and fitness for today’s youth

Future of PE is at risk, claims afPE By Louise Cordell THE future of physical education as we know it is at risk following a wide ranging curriculum review, according to the Association for Physical Education. The most detailed review of the primary curriculum in a decade has been slammed by the association for reducing the importance and visibility of sports lessons. The new recommendations, published by former Ofsted chief Sir Jim Rose, aim to replace the 11 subjects primaries must cover by law with six ‘areas of learning’. In the new curriculum, PE would come under one of these umbrella areas – ‘Understanding Physical Development, Health and Wellbeing’ which would include things such as mental health, money management and drug abuse. But Professor Margaret Talbot, afPE chief executive, believes PE is important enough to be part of the curriculum in its own right. She added: “Physical education is the only school subject which is expected to make major contributions to national health and sport strategies. “So it is disappointing that this review has failed to recognise its dis-

tinctive value and has reduced its importance and visibility – resulting in a direct threat to its continuing place in the primary curriculum.” As well as the topics currently covered in PE lessons, the new area of learning would include lessons about relationships, enterprise skills and issues surrounding drugs and alcohol. Pupils would also be taught to use ICT safely, recognise discrimination and bullying and to understand the influence of the media. Margaret added: “Right across the world, where PE has been subsumed under an umbrella title, it has all but disappeared. At a time when the UK should be seen to be delivering on its commitment to a lasting Olympic legacy for children and young people, it is sad that the future of their physical education is apparently at risk.” A public consultation of the Rose Review is now set to take place, led by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Margaret added: “We plan to make a strong representation to restore physical education to the central position in the primary curriculum which it, and the nation’s children, deserve.”

June 2009 £2.75

Safety puts brake on cycling to school MILLIONS of children would prefer to cycle to school but are prevented by safety concerns according to a new survey. Cycling England questioned nine to 11 year olds from around the country to find out why only one per cent of them rode their bikes to and from school. Over a third claimed that their parents thought cycling was too dangerous and 29 per cent felt they did not have the skills to keep safe on the roads. Despite this, over half thought that cycling was more fun than travelling by car and 80 per cent enjoyed the exercise, which left them more awake and ready for lessons. Paul Robison, Cycling England’s bikeability manager, said: “Concern about safety is entirely natural but cycling is a life skill, and one that children want to master. “I urge schools to come forward and take up Bikeability training as part of the push to get more children cycling.”


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Can being active make kids brainier? SCIENTISTS are hoping to persuade schools to get children active by revealing the link between exercise and intelligence. Researchers at the University of Glasgow are set to launch a study to find out if being active makes children brainier by looking at data on physical activity and cognitive function. Previous research has shown that while modern children do not take much exercise, attempts to promote more activity often fail. It is hoped that by proving exercise can improve brain function, parents and schools will have another reason to encourage kids to take up sport. Lead researcher Professor John Reilly said: “We know that exercise has many benefits for the body, but most of these are long-term and do not provide a strong incentive for children, families or schools to exercise more. If we can find other, more immediate benefits of exercise we hope we can give people another reason to engage in physical activity. “If a proven link is demonstrated, the study could have important implications for schools, highlighting the academic gains that might be

Contacts Group Editor: Andrew Harrod - ah@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734639 Reporters: Louise Cordell – lcordell@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734694 Mary Ferguson – mf@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734712 Christina Eccles – ce@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734463 Dominic Musgrave – dm@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734407 Sales and Marketing Director: Tony Barry Sales and Product Manager: James Dickson jd@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734672

realised through more physical education in the curriculum.” The research team plan to use information on activity levels collected from 6,000 members of the Children of the 90s study in Bristol. Activity levels, which were monitored every year from age 11, will be combined with cognitive measurements which examine memory, IQ and attention span, amongst other factors. Dr Reilly added: “There is plenty of anecdotal evidence amongst teachers that children who are more physically active have generally better cognitive function. What we want to do is to see if we can establish that this is the case, to find out how much exercise it takes and how quickly results might be seen. Previous studies with animals conducted at other institutions show a very strong link between exercise and improved cognitive function. So we think positive correlations between exercise and cognitive function such as improved attention span, memory, ability to plan, multitasking and problem solving are also likely in children.” Research is expected to be completed and results revealed by July 2010.

www.futurefitness.uk.net Sales Executive: Sarah Young sy@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734709 Studio Manager: Stewart Holt sth@whpl.net Deputy group editor: Judith Halkerston jhalkerston@whpl.net Circulation enquiries to: Kelly Tarff kt@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734695

Athlete Diane gives charity runners a leg up ...

Runners aiming to raise money for youth sports charity StreetGames have been given a helping hand by Olympian athlete Diane Modahl. A group planning to compete in the BUPA Great Manchester Run to raise funds took part in a training session with the four times Olympic athlete and former Commonwealth 800m champion. Diane works as an ambassador for the charity and passed on training tips and techniques to help them prepare for the 10km challenge in May. Pictured, from left: Paula Dunn, Melissa Marsh, Diane Modahl and Shaun Brennan


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Funding offer helps bid to provide free sports access PLAY Sport London is helping to provide free access to sport in an attempt to get people of all ages and abilities active. Clubs and organisations can apply for funding of up to £1,500 to deliver coaching sessions, festivals and open days that will encourage more people to take part in sport. A key aim of the programme is to provide quality coaching and long term participation opportunities as a legacy from the 2012 London Olympics. Applicants are being encouraged to provide as much detail about their activity as possible to show how it meets the scheme’s criteria. The activities must take place between July 1 and September 30 2009, be free of charge to participants and have clear exit routes for ongoing exercise opportunities. They should also be inclusive of disabled people and aim for 50 per cent participation from minority groups and females. To apply for a Play Sport London grant, visit www.playsportlondonapplications.co.uk. The closing date is May 22 2009.

Call for healthy eating scheme to be rolled out to every primary By Louise Cordell A CHILD nutrition expert who provides activity and healthy eating advice to schools is lobbying the government to get the scheme provided free in every primary in the country. Dr Jennie Cockroft runs The PhunkyFoods’ initiative which is already used in 550 schools nationwide and so far its directors have received a positive response to their ambitious plan. She is now set to meet with the Home Secretary at one of their flagship schools to demonstrate the kind of improvements that can be made. Jennie, PhunkyFood’s nutritional director, said: “Our aim is to help every school achieve all of the government’s health and wellbeing targets. “We have found that the programme has a very positive impact on changing behaviour and attitudes for both pupils and teachers.” The PhunkyFood scheme was launched in 2005 by nutrition experts Purely Nutrition and Northern Foods and provides resources for an hour each week learning about healthy eating and an hour of physical activity for every year group.

The 36-week programme gets kids active using art, drama, music, play and hands on experience with food. Jennie added: “Teachers have to deal with the challenge of a packed curriculum together with the requirement to provide a health and wellbeing programme. “It is also the case that in many schools, no one person has been given the responsibility or the tools to achieve this. “This way they can be sure they are providing correct, specialist nutritional knowledge as well as sessions of physical activity that are backed up with the theory and safety information behind it.” The company also offers a specially developed City and Guild qualification in Nutrition and Health of

School Aged Children for the professional development of teachers and assistants. Jennie added: “We introduced the qualification two years ago and have had a massive uptake from everyone from teachers to school nurses. “We devised it for those who wanted more confidence and wanted to be sure that they were teaching the most up to date information. “It has been so successful we are now considering adding more courses as, once they start, people really want to keep extending their knowledge.” The company also helps schools to link up with projects and people in the local community that allow the pupils to experience a wider range of sports and activities.

Teenage girls take a swing at Go Box taster sessions TASTER sessions designed to introduce teenage girls to boxing were held at a women-only gym in Sheffield. The Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) teamed up with the club to offer the sessions as part of the FIA’s Go programme, designed to encourage girls in years ten and 11 to take up sport. Go Box was held at Ladyzone, with girls from Silverdale School and the

gym’s own staff taking part. ABAE President and MP Richard Caborn also attended the session to see how they could encourage women and girls to get involved in the sport. Information on boxing clubs was distributed following the session, and it is now hoped that Go Box tasters will be included in other Go programmes across the country. Pictured: Richard Caborn with Ladyzone staff and the girls.

Martial arts showcased at festival A LEICESTER gym owner has staged a huge festival to teach kids and their parents about the different benefits of martial arts. Kwoklyn Wan, owner of the Urban Martial Arts gym, decided to hold the event after seeing the popularity of his classes with young people rise over the last few years. He said: “We wanted to provide something that would give people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to see and try out many different styles, some of which they might never have heard of. “Martial arts can provide so many benefits, from fitness to improved confidence and self esteem – so we want to get as many people as possible involved.”

The April event was held at Parklands Leisure Centre in Oadby and included fight demonstrations, tournaments, workshops and a range of fund raising stalls. There were also appearances from several celebrity guests like Kwoklyn’s brother, Gok Wan of ‘How to Look Good Naked’ fame, who turned up to support the event’s charity, Kidscape. He helped to raise funds by giving a talk on how martial arts can help anti-bullying campaigns through developing confidence and self esteem in young people. Other guests included Chris Crudelli of ‘Mind, Body and Kick Ass Moves’ and film star Silvio Simac who appeared in the film ‘Unleashed’ with Bob Hoskins and Jet Li.


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Obesity fight sees launch of £30m scheme By Louise Cordell LONDON will soon be setting up boxing academies, street athletics programmes and mobile swimming pools in an attempt to combat rising obesity levels. A new £30m campaign has been launched by London Mayor Boris Johnson as part of a scheme to increase physical activity in the capital by investing in grass roots sports. ‘A Sporting Future For London’ has been set up in partnership with Sport England and will be put into practice by a new London Community Sports Board, chaired by Sports Commissioner Kate Hoey. It is hoped that the scheme will also help London become the first Olympic host to produce a sustained increase in participation as a result of the Games. The Mayor said: “The 2012 Games is a once in a lifetime chance to increase sport participation and activity, tackle social and health inequalities and bring the capital’s communities together. “This plan will set in motion the

tools needed to build on the many exciting projects and partnerships that are already in place, as well as providing new solutions.” Currently, more than one fifth of children in the capital are classed as obese, with 50 per cent of Londoners defined as ‘inactive’ – costing the NHS £105m per year. The aim is to tackle this problem by improving access to a wider range of sports to create a lasting ‘grass roots sport legacy’. Plans include funding six boxing academies, a street athletics programme for ten to 19 year olds and two mobile pools which will be assembled at schools or community halls in order to get an additional 10,000 children swimming each year. Sue Campbell, Youth Sports Trust chair, said: “If we are to deliver five hours of high quality PE and sport for all young people in London it is imperative that there is collaboration across all the agencies and that we work well together – and in that regard the Mayor’s commitment to this project is very encouraging.”

Victory oar for young Katie A NORTH Hampshire pupil has smashed an indoor rowing world record by more than three hours. 12-year-old Katie Metalli, pictured above, broke the one to 12 years half marathon indoor rowing record at the Northcroft Leisure Centre this month. The previous record of four hours, 48 minutes and nine seconds had been unbeaten since 2004 but Katie completed the row in just one hour, 43 minutes and 40.6 seconds. She said: “I received a personal good luck e-mail from Rebecca

Romero (2004 Olympic silver rowing medallist) and had it in front of me on the day. “With about seven or eight kilometres left to row it really made the difference and I thought of her Olympic victory and that spurred me on.” Katie has now joined the ranks of just 42 other lightweight women who have completed the half marathon distance in the last 12 months and is now the 25th fastest lightweight female, or any age group, in the world this year.


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Youngsters meet the stars at camp By Mary Ferguson THE future generation of unsung sports heroes came together for a four-day camp managed by the Youth Sport Trust. Around 300 young sports leaders and volunteers from across the UK attended the 2009 Step into Sport Camp to develop their skills as positive role models and learn new coaching qualifications. The camp, this year themed ‘Your Journey, Your Impact’, was designed to help ensure more young people are inspired to become involved in sports leadership and volunteering. British Olympians Darren Campbell and Katharine Merry opened and closed the camp, which was held at Loughborough University. The youngsters aged between 14 and 19 were selected to attend by their school sport partnership. Former elite athletes led workshops including ‘What does it take to be a role model?’ and provided opportunities for the young people to gain nationally recognised qualifications in 20 sports. Darren said: “Volunteers are the backbone of all levels of sport in our country and it is encouraging to see so many young people being supported to develop upon their leadership skills and contributing

Darren Campbell with some camp delegates to their communities. The impact that volunteers have on sport should never be underestimated.” Sport relies on 1.5 million volunteer officials, coaches, administrators and managers, while up to 70,000 volunteers will be needed to help put on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of

the Youth Sport Trust, added: “On returning to their schools and communities, we want the youngsters to use what they have learned through the camp and engage other young people in PE and sport.” The Step into Sport Camp forms part of the national Step into Sport programme, which is delivered by

the Youth Sport Trust, Sport England, Sports Leaders UK and national governing bodies of sport. The Step into Sport Programme is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and fits within the Government’s PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP).

Helmets should be compulsory on school ski trips – AfPE HELMETS should be compulsory safety wear for school groups on ski trips according to the latest Association for Physical Education recommendations. The suggestion has been made following the introduction of similar legislation in many European countries and the organisation has called on schools to plan for their provision. Glen Beaumont, afPE health and safety officer, said: “Essentially the debate has shifted from ‘do I need to wear a helmet?’ towards ‘provide reasons for not wearing one’ – a subtle but significant re-alignment in the pursuit of safe practice and managing risk. We remain totally committed to giving children and young people

access to a broad range of demanding and physically challenging activities – but always within the context of acceptable risk. “These judgments are usually based on factual evidence and probability, but in addition the severity of potential injury has to be considered. “Getting things wrong in sky diving or mountaineering brings graver consequences than, say, orienteering.” The recommendation also points out that, on all counts, many accepted activities can be a more dangerous prospect than skiing. For example, rugby football is responsible for 300 hospital visits per 10,000 hours of participation, but skiing results in just 40.

Free sports activities for pupils to help cope with exam stress PUPILS on study leave in North Lanarkshire Council secondary schools will get free gym membership and access to swimming and classes to help them cope with the stress of exams. North Lanarkshire Leisure has teamed up with the council to offer free all-inclusive health and fitness memberships at 11 leisure facilities, through its Access NL scheme, for those on study leave in school years S5 and S6. Although the free membership peri-

od will come to an end after exams, pupils will be able to continue their programme by taking advantage of a special promotional offer. Chief executive of North Lanarkshire Leisure Blane Dodds said: “We are confident that pupils will benefit hugely from this scheme, both in terms of their physical fitness and from the added mental edge that can come from exercise during their all important study period.”


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As the only school sports co-ordinator on the Isles of Scilly, Martyn Songhurst had his work cut out when it came to improving PE facilities for the local kids. However, his achievements are now being celebrated after he was named an ‘Unsung Hero’ by the Daily Telegraph’s School Sport Matters Awards.

How Mr Songhurst brought PE to the fore on Isles of Scilly

Martyn Songhurst

SINCE starting as head of PE at Five Islands School on the Isles of Scilly six years ago, Martyn Songhurst has taken sport provision to a new level. Students are now able to access a range of sporting opportunities and he has also increased curriculum time for sport across all ages. He said: “Looking back to six years ago, the lack of sports opportunities for the kids was awful – there were not very good facilities at all. “There was one small indoor space that could only be used for gymnastics, one small playground, a small tennis court and a grass area that was just big enough for seven-a-side football, but that had to be marked out with cones every time we wanted to play.” When he arrived there were only three pupils taking GCSE PE, but this number has now risen to 12 – out of the 20 pupils in the year group. He added: “I just tried to raise the profile of PE in the school and in the local community, and luckily every-

one seemed to embrace it. “It had been run haphazardly, so I tried to tighten everything up and make the best of the facilities we had. “I did this by adapting lesson plans, depending on which class I was teaching, to try and make it as much fun as possible for the pupils.” Things are now set to improve further with a new school build due to be completed in September. The new premises will include a sports hall, gym and a full-sized foot-

ball pitch, which Martyn hopes will provide a chance for even more kids to get involved. He added: “I think when it comes to PE, if you make the effort then the kids will as well – for example when I and people from the community have set up after school clubs there has been a great response. “Overall there is a huge enthusiasm for sport here when the kids are given a chance – and I think that the new facilities will increase this even further.”

Helicopter drafted in to take kids to competitions GETTING his pupils involved in local competitions is a particular challenge for the Five Islands head of sport, as a visit to the mainland means hiring a helicopter. Taking the kids, plus supervisors on a competition trip can cost over £160 per person and, as a result, they rarely had the opportunity to show off their talents. However, Martyn Songhurst has worked to raise over £35,000 for local charities – and one of these is the School Sports Fund – which helps out with paying for these trips. Pupils have now had the chance to take part in competitions including surfing, golf, volleyball and indoor rowing. Martyn is also now trying to find other schools to join up with to make up numbers for football and

Pupils at Europe’s largest special needs school are benefiting from the use of four ZigZag Sportwalls – introduced to help engage the children in physical activity. Whitefield Schools and Centre in Walthamstow – which operates as three separate specialist schools catering for 300 pupils – installed the equipment into the school’s new sports hall. Specialism leader for physical development Iain Burnside said:

rugby teams, which could then join local leagues. He said: “For us, getting involved in this kind of thing does not come cheap – for example we recently took four pupils to the County Indoor Rowing Championship on the mainland which cost over £850. “But it was well worth it as one of them ended up being county champion – the first one that the Scilly Isles has ever produced. It is so important to give kids the chance to compete – no matter what the cost is, because when it comes to sport you can practice – but at the end of the day you need to put your skills to the test. “The kids really love the experience and they are always so keen to get off the island and take any opportunity to develop their skills.”

“ZigZag’s Sportwalls are a fantastic asset to the school because they allow both higher functioning and lower functioning children to participate in physical activity. “They’ve already made a significant improvement in hand eye co-ordination for a number of our children, and helped to engage more pupils in physical activity due to the action/reaction and light and sound sensory stimulus.”


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School nets new field – thanks to parents ... By Mary Ferguson AN enterprising primary school has used parent power to construct a new PE facility for its pupils. Little Dewchurch CE Primary School in Hereford now has a sports field and changing rooms after parents joined forces to raise money and rolled up their sleeves. To help obtain a lottery grant of £10,000, they raised £3,000 from a supermarket trolley dash and did all the physical work themselves – meaning the only person the school had to employ was an electrician. Head teacher Sue Sumner said: “When the kids change for PE we don’t have clothes scattered all over the classrooms and library and we don’t have muddy football boots treading through the school. “As part of being a Healthy School, we want to encourage physical activity as an integral part of an active lifestyle, helping our children to remain happy, healthy and ready to

learn. Getting them outside in the fresh air, rather than being confined to the school hall, has really had a remarkable impact and has helped make that vision possible.” Since building the new facilities, the school – which has just 47 pupils – has been able to extend its range of sports provision and has linked up with a tag rugby coach from their feeding school, Hereford Academy. A weekly football club now takes place and the school can host friendly matches with others in the area. The field is leased for ‘peppercorn rent’ from the Duchy of Cornwall and the local authority paid for it to be drained, levelled and fenced. The school is now planning to rent the facilities to the local community. Sue added: “All in all, the new field and changing facilities have had a massive impact and are really helping us to move forward as a Healthy School which actively embraces physical activity and promotes positive behaviour patterns for later life.”

Former Gladiator and athlete Kate Staples has revealed plans to open a bootcamp dedicated to children’s fitness. Kate who already runs an adult version – Adventure Boot Camps – is hoping to expand into the kids’ fitness market after achieving success with her existing camps. Olympic athlete Daley Thompson – who is one of the company directors – is also involved in the project.

New fitness facility in step with young people By Christina Eccles A DEDICATED fitness facility has opened for young people in Barnsley which includes one of the area’s largest interactive dance rooms. The M Zone is the result of a partnership between Barnsley Youth Services and Barnsley Premier Leisure after extensive consultation with the 13-19 age group regarding town centre facilities.

As well as the dance facilities, visitors can also use a 13-piece fitness suite, where the equipment has been specifically designed for young people using air valves and pressure gauges instead of traditional weights. To make the fitness suite as appealing as possible, a local graffiti artist was also commissioned to provide artwork for the centre. Rachel Barraclough from Barnsley

Youth Services said: “So far the M Zone has had fantastic feedback from young people, with the attendances reflecting the young people’s approval of the facilities. Young people have waited along time for a facility such as this in Barnsley and from their comments to us they feel it’s been well worth the wait.” The M Zone also has an internet café, where young people can have

free access to the internet and a chillout area. Chief executive of Barnsley Premier Leisure James Starbuck added: “The M Zone is a really fantastic facility and unlike any other in the area, has instructors on hand to design individual fitness programmes. Young people can also use the internet café for their schoolwork or leisure, which is also proving really popular.”


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Skipping helped George Kubu regain his fitness after a snowboarding accident left him confined to a wheelchair. Now George, pictured below, is helping a new generation enjoy its benefits with his Skipping for Schools programmes. Louise Cordell reports.

How George ropes kids into skipping GEORGE Kubu worked as a catamaran sailing instructor and was a keen snowboarder before his accident in March 2000, but even two and a half years of intensive therapy and rehabilitation couldn’t recapture his original fitness levels. He was determined to get his old lifestyle back and turned to skipping as a way to improve his stamina, spatial awareness, coordination, balance and endurance. He was so impressed with the results he went on to gain qualifications in beginner, intermediate and advanced skipping coaching and started up his own company at the beginning of 2008. George said: “Skipping just has so many great benefits I thought it was really important to bring it into schools – kids get so much out of it and anyone can take part. “It is also about trying to get the activity back out there – my generation all know how to skip because it was passed on to us, but that is not the case for many pupils in schools today. “It has been dying out but I think it is essential to bring it back.” George and his coaches teach age specific skills to each class throughout the day and then bring all the pupils together for a ‘skipping celebration’ to demonstrate their new abilities. So far the company has visited over 200 schools, and half have invited

them back. He has found that despite initial reservations, the classes are just as popular with boys as with girls and all the pupils are keen to keep it up by joining the online Skipping Cup, which gives them the opportunity to compete on a regional basis. He added: “Girls are no better at skipping than boys – it’s just social stereotyping. So we talk to all the pupils about the benefits of the activity and once the boys discover how many boxers and martial arts experts use it as an essential fitness skill, they are soon keen to get involved. “Then, once they have got the bug, the online competition gives them the incentive they need to keep improving and keep active.” George also points out the benefits are not just fitness based – many school have commented on how an increase in skipping has improved the whole culture of the playground. Teachers have reported kids getting along much better when they have a shared interest and that they will ‘police’ themselves when they have a group activity where cooperation means success. He added: “Many schools have us back every term because of the wide ranging benefits. They have found how well exercise can help focus the children – it can burn off energy in the morning, snap them out of lethargy in the afternoon and basically keep them ready for learning.”

Wii drafted into the gym in pilot scheme PUPILS at schools in New York are using computer games to keep fit in PE lessons. The Nintendo Wii console has been moved into school gyms

and the pilot scheme in five schools in the city is aimed at establishing whether the technology can get more children interested in sport.


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Salsa set to tempt young into exercise

Urban dance kids sought for project By Louise Cordell KIDS with a talent for urban dance are being scouted on the streets of Swindon and given coaching as part of a special project. The scheme, run by the Youth Dance Academy, aims give gifted children the opportunity to pursue a professional career in dance and the weekly training sessions help them develop skills in styles including popping, street dance, b-boy, house dance, free styling and tricks. Vicki Bailey, project manager, said: “We have known for a long time that there is a need for specialised training, because there are a lot of different pathways out there for dance based careers, but nothing specific for urban performers.” The programme started in January and auditions have started again for the programme’s next intake in September. The 25 students taking part were selected through a series of open auditions and school visits by a team

of professional dancers, choreographers and teachers. Vicki added: “Other kinds of dancers, like ballet and jazz, are usually trained from a young age and these kids don’t have that formal practice. But they do have so much passion that they work hard to learn the skills they need by themselves and spend all their free time practicing – it is a unique kind of talent, but you know it when you see it.” The students are also taught some ballet and contemporary dance, in order to help them audition for the next level of training at dance schools. Vicki added: “Currently there is no higher training course that is focussed on urban dance, which means that some of the kids are slightly limited in what they can move on to. “But hopefully that will change in the near future – because urban dance certainly isn’t going anywhere, and is becoming more popular than ever.”

Steve goes back to school to launch scheme By Christina Eccles OLYMPIC athlete Steve Cram has visited a high school in mid Essex to launch a scheme providing young people with a year-long programme of sports coaching and nutrition classes. Steve was at St Peters’ High School in Burnham to celebrate the launch of UpStarts – the only programme of its kind in the UK. The programme of events will run for two terms, each lasting 10 weeks, in seven schools across the local area and activity sessions will be led by coaches from Colchester United Community Sports Trust, who will provide coaching for more than 150 children. Cookery clubs will also run to edu-

cate pupils on healthy eating and nutrition. Steve said: “UpStarts is a brilliant example of how local health organisations can work together to play a vital role in helping young people develop healthy attitudes towards food and fitness which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. I’m confident it will be a success and really hope that what is being delivered here in Essex can be replicated in other areas across the UK.” The scheme – funded by NHS Mid Essex and delivered by Healthy Living Solutions Community Interest Company – forms part of the 2012 legacy plan, which aims to use the Olympics as a platform for local residents to lead healthier lifestyles.

Picture: Mark Pepperall in association with Hot Pepper Design

SALSA and cheerleading are among the activities on offer to young people in Derbyshire, as part of a new programme to increase participation in physical activity. Those over 16 will be able to benefit from the two-year programme – delivered by Amber Valley Active – thanks to a National Lottery grant of just over £60,000 awarded by Sport England. The programme aims to increase the number of over 16 year olds living in the area who participate in 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise three times per week. It will have three strands – dance exercise, Swim4Fitness and inclusive games – and the dance strand will include sessions run by Star Steppers Dance Academy in cheerleading, street and salsa.


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Boxer Amir backs Asian soccer initiative BOXER Amir Khan is the latest sportsperson to give his backing to Chelsea’s Search for an Asian Soccer Star initiative. The 22-year-old has pledged his support to the project which is designed attract young Asian players and to tackle their under-representation throughout the game. He said: “Sport can have a huge positive effect on young people and that is why I am supporting the Search for an Asian Soccer Star. “We need to get more Asian kids into all sports and end the negative stereotyping of the Asian community. “The opportunities that the pro-

gramme offers can be of huge benefit to the young people involved and even though I am a Bolton supporter, I am fully behind Chelsea’s scheme.” The ‘Asian Star’ initiative will bring together hundreds of young players from Asian backgrounds who will compete to win a three-day trial at the Chelsea Academy. Chelsea will also invite coaches, managers and scouts from all levels of the game to attend the competition to scout potential players for their clubs, from Sunday leagues to the professional game.

Kids encouraged to get on their bikes CHILDREN in Bath and North East Somerset are being offered free cycle training to encourage them to cycle to school. Bath and North East Somerset Council is offering Bikeability training through local schools to all chil-

dren in years five and six. Funding is in place for levels one and two of the three stage test and participants will be awarded a badge and certificate to recognise their achievements once each stage is complete.

New scheme to tackle youth crime YOUNG people in Lanarkshire have been encouraged to take up sport and exercise as part of a new scheme set up to tackle youth crime and antisocial behaviour. The Saturday SportScene initiative – hosted by North Lanarkshire Leisure at Wishaw Sports Centre –

was attended by over 700 kids aged between 10 and 17 plus local sporting stars including former Celtic and Motherwell FC player Andy Walker. Activities on offer included dance, football, basketball, badminton and gym sessions. The pilot programme has been rolled out across the area.

50,000 pupils challenged to be more active By Louise Cordell A CAMPAIGN has been launched to improve the health and fitness of every primary school pupil in Suffolk. The Healthy Ambitions Suffolk Challenge project is challenging 50,000 kids to get more active, inspired by the London Olympic Games. The aim is to make Suffolk’s children the healthiest in the UK by 2012 by helping them take part in an hour of exercise every day. Every child that takes part will be given a free fitness gift like a frisbee, kite, ball or skipping rope as well as activity cards showing how they can incorporate exercise into their lives. Coun Lisa Chambers said: “We all want our children to grow up fit, healthy and being active. “Enjoying the activities they like to do is really important both to our children and to us as parents and grandparents. “If we can get all out children doing 60 minutes of activity, whether it is dancing, walking or kite flying, every day and eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day then we will be well

on the way to reaching our goal.” The scheme was launched at Trinity Park in Ipswich with Beijing Olympian Jo Ellis and Paralympians Brian Alldis and Caroline Maclean making an appearance to encourage kids to get involved. Pupils from Ravenswood and Charsfield school also turned up to take part in a dance session led by DanceEast and a football skills session with Ipswich Town Community Trust. Dr Peter Bradley, director of public health for NHS Suffolk and Suffolk County Council said: “Everything counts, from playing organised sport to being active around the home or garden to building activity into everyday life. “The challenge is a really important part of our campaign to make Suffolk the healthiest county in England by 2028.” The project has already been granted a London 2012 Inspire Mark which 'recognises outstanding projects and events helping to deliver the Games' lasting legacy.

Modern sports centre for every secondary EVERY secondary school in Devon will soon be equipped with a modern sports centre thanks to a council grant of almost £11m. The money has come from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter airport and will now be used to develop a range of facilities across the county’s 37 secondaries. The biggest sum of £3.5m will go to Teign School at Kingsteignton for an indoor gym and grass and all-weather pitches. A further £500,000, together with £500,000 from British Cycling, is set to help fund the construction of an external velodrome as part of the development of a major regional cycling facility.

Councillors have also agreed to release £2.5m to help develop a sports centre for Teignmouth Community College which is the other Devon secondary currently lacking up-to-date facilities. John Smith, executive councillor for children’s services, said: “This money comes on top of our £180m building programme for schools and children’s centres and our Government bid for up to £800m of investment in our secondary schools. “I am particularly pleased to see that we are fulfilling our pledge to provide modern sports facilities for the students of Teign School and Teignmouth Community College.”


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Leeds pupils organise their own ‘Olympics’ PRIMARY pupils in Leeds have been organising their own mini Olympic games as part of fitness initiative, Spirit Alive. The scheme has taken place over the last two years after being introduced by Education Leeds to give school children a chance to get healthy. Typically planned over the summer term, an ‘olympic committee’ is elected and the whole school gets involved by competing in the events, making flags, logos and posters, designing certificates, and managing a budget. The actual games take place over a one-week period, often utilising the facilities at local leisure centres for swimming events and trampolining or jujitsu competitions. The 2007 pilot involved four schools, last year that was extended to 32 and for 2009, Max is hoping to get every primary in Leeds taking part. He said: “The project is about lots more than just sport and it can be taken on by any age group, meaning secondary schools can get involved too. “As well as encouraging physical activity it also forces the children to think about nutrition and some schools run a healthy tuck shops as a

way of raising funds.” Whingate Primary School was one of the schools involved in the 2007 pilot and they have been running Spirit Alive ever since. Assistant head Clara Brayshaw told Future Fitness: “Because of the area that we serve, it’s particularly important to us that the children can take ownership of the project and that it’s something not just for the ‘bright sparks’ to get involved in. “It also enables us to get involved with other schools by running it as a cluster, with the Olympic torch passed between schools before the event.” Last year the school competed in activities including kayaking, skipping, Brazilian soccer training and an 11 mile bike ride and this year, a partnership with Leeds Armouries will enable the pupils to add archery to the list. Stuart Myers, head teacher at Whingate Primary School added: “Spirit Alive encompasses all the areas of Every Child Matters and we have noticed it creating a general interest in health and fitness, with pupils using their break times to practice their sports. I was initially concerned about the organisation aspects but it’s proved to be very beneficial to the school.”

Clara Brayshaw

Primary schools in West Yorkshire are benefitting from Education Leeds’ initiatives designed to increase participation and raise standards in PE delivery. Mary Ferguson spent a day with lead trainer Max Amesbury to find out more.

Introducing Max’s sporting mission WHEN Max became lead trainer for PE and sport development with Education Leeds he made it his mission to make a difference to pupils through sport. Introducing a range of initiatives and training schemes, his aim now is to get more schools involved and inspire other boroughs to follow suit. Max, a former headteacher, said one of the most successful things introduced by Education Leeds is the Wake Up and Shake Up initiative, designed to incorporate bursts of activity into the school day. Consisting of 10-15 minute periods of vigorous exercise, the sessions usually happen once a day, mostly before school to wake the pupils up for their lessons. He said: “We have trained 95 per cent of schools in the borough two years ago and even now, just about every one is still doing it. We hand it over to the children and ask them to initiate it and that is how it has become sustainable.” Following the success of Wake Up and Shake Up, Funky Feet using different moves was introduced to appeal to children at the older end of the school, who were getting bored of Wake Up and Shake Up.

Max Amesbury As part of Education Leeds’ drive to boost activity levels in primary schools, five schools in the borough were encouraged to install outside climbing walls, which the children can also use at break times. “Because of concerns over risk assessment kids just don’t get the opportunities for outdoor adventure they used to, so these walls are a way to get round that.”

Three years ago, a training scheme launched to encourage high level teaching assistants (HLTAs) to become leaders of PE and sport in their primary schools. The students receive 60 hours of training over nine months and many are then used to cover planning, preparation and assessment time as well as helping to raise standards in PE and sport. One of two areas in the country offering this type of training, Max said that because heads are so confident in it, they are happy to let the HLTA’s lead PE in the school. But despite the work of Education Leeds, Max said there are many barriers facing the development of physical education. He added: “Time is always going to be the biggest challenge when it comes to PE because there are so many demands on the curriculum. SAT’s are always there and because they are a measure of success, they will always take priority. In my opinion, Government wants to bake their cake and eat it – they want to raise standards in core subject areas but also promote PE and sport. But I don’t know whether they fully understand how schools operate.”


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Not enough exercise for 75% of children By Louise Cordell THREE quarters of children are not getting enough exercise according to the results of a new Government survey. A poll of parents across England revealed that 72 per cent take part in less than an hour of daily activity outside of school. The findings were released as part of the Change4Life campaign which has been launched to tackle soaring obesity rates through healthy eating and exercise. The Department of Health confirmed that more than 260,000 people had responded to the ‘How Are The Kids’ survey, looking at children’s diet and activity levels. It found that 45 per cent of kids watched TV or played non active video games before school and only 22 per cent did something active after their evening meal. Dawn Primarolo, minister for public health, said: “Our survey shows that kids just aren’t getting up and about as much as they should. “If we are going to cut obesity levels our children need to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. “By eating better and moving more, we can all live longer and healthier lives and, with continued support, this can be a reality for every family in England.” Families have also been sent tailormade support packs to help them make changes to their daily routines, with ideals including playing in the park, walking to school and playing active computer games where kids need to jump and dance around. The packs also point out that the recommended activity levels can be achieved in one session per day, or in several bouts of ten minutes or more of a sport or activity.

Above: Rosemary Conley and one of the Kids 2 classes.

After taking the slimming club industry by storm, weight loss guru Rosemary Conley now has her sights set on keeping children healthy. Mary Ferguson spoke to her and found out more.

Rosemary targets kids2 for fitness classes ... BY the end of the year, Rosemary aims to have fitness classes for children up and running in towns all over the UK. The Kids2 programme has been launched following a successful trial in Hertfordshire and invites children over ten to attend an exercise class with an adult, where they will both learn about nutrition and healthy eating – as well as the importance of movement. The six week programme is the first scheme of its kind to operate in the UK and according to Rosemary, its innovation lays in the fact that children and their parents adopt healthy lifestyles together. She told Future Fitness: “It is very obvious that there is a growing obesity problem amongst children in this country. But our classes are not slimming clubs – they are designed to encourage children to be more active and educate them and their parents about nutrition and healthy eating. “The key to success is getting the parents involved too, so that when

they go shopping together they make informed choices and instead of it being a battle, it can become a team effort. “We have been trialling it for a couple of years and we have found that apart from the obvious educational value, the bonding it has created between the parent and child has been extraordinary. When we have been training the franchisees to deliver the classes we bring in real adults and their children and it’s so nice to see them smiling the whole time.” Participants take part in fun activities which offer practical and motivational advice, including nutritional games and quizzes, fitness circuits and learning about healthy meal planning and preparation. “Whilst we already offer exercise sessions in our hugely popular classes, making this programme available to children is a natural progression for us. All of our instructors are fully qualified to teach exercise and nutrition

already, but they have also completed a professional training course for Kids2 to enable them to deliver a safe and effective class including children. “They are perfectly placed to help families learn how to change their lifestyles to become healthier just by making a few simple changes”. Franchisees demonstrate the sessions with their normal adult classes, encouraging them to bring along their children. The classes are aimed at any child – not just those with weight problems – and Rosemary expects siblings to come along with each other too. She added: “We do weigh the kids at the beginning and end of the six week programme but that is for our own interest, there is no focus on losing weight. “We are laying the foundations for a long term healthy lifestyle and hopefully is will set the wheels in motion for a healthy future for the children.”


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Harry Potter sport casts a spell at Welsh school By Louise Cordell A WELSH school has introduced the Harry Potter sport of Quidditch as a way of getting the kids involved in new activities. The game, which is played on flying broomsticks in the popular books, has become a favourite with pupils at Ferndale Comprehensive School in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It was brought in as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s 5x60 scheme which aims to expose children to new types of sport. James Vale, the school’s 5x60 motivator said: “Obviously we have had to make a few adaptations to the game, which we have renamed Muggle Quidditch, and it is now a mix of handball and dodgeball. “The fact that it is linked to the books and films that the kids love has been a huge draw. While we have many sporty pupils who get involved in lots of activities, Muggle Quidditch has really captured the imaginations of the less active ones as well. “In turn, this has built up their confidence and led to them getting involved in other sports too, so it has been a great success.” During the game there is a goal keeper and beaters who are playing

Quidditch tournament something similar to dodgeball – aiming balls or ‘bludgers’ at the other team’s players. If players get hit they have to run to their goal and back – to simulate the time it would take them to get back on their broomsticks after falling off. The rest of the team is made up of chasers who are playing handball and have to try and score goals. James added: “The only position we have had to lose is the one that Harry plays, as we can’t make something fly around in the air for him to catch!

“Otherwise it is pretty similar and it is great because it is really fast paced and everyone has to get involved. “Standing around and not taking part is not an option, because doing that attracts the attention of the beaters – and getting hit with a bludger soon brings them back into the game. “Because there are three different positions to play they are using a lot of different skills, and it also gives pupils of all abilities the chance to get involved and find something they are good at.”

Hundreds join in sports day ABOUT 800 sixth form and college students from across Hertfordshire took part in a day of sporting activities co-ordinated by the Herts Sports Partnership. The event, which took place at Gosling Sports Park, aimed to increase participation levels among 16-24 year olds and included a range of competitive events as well as 60 come and try sessions – providing the opportunity for students to try out sports which they might like to take up on a more permanent basis. Four colleges and 10 School Sports Partnerships entered teams for the competition. The top three were: 1st place Stevenage 2nd place St Albans and Harpenden (Roundwood Park) School Sports Partnership 3rd place West Herts College The event saw a four-fold increase compared with the 2008 event, when 200 participants took part.


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Boost for youth football By Louise Cordell FOOTBALL coaches and PE teachers will be able to pick up advice from the experts at this year’s Grass Roots Football Live show. The event is aimed at any non professionals involved in the game and will give them the opportunity to learn from the best in the business, as will as discuss the latest issues and ideas from the world of youth sport. Bob Rosen, managing director, said: “Youth football is thriving and I think coaching is better now than it has ever been. “But there is always room for improvement and all teachers and coaches love the idea of learning from people at the top of their game and taking that

back to inspire the kids.” The show is taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 12 to 14 June and will feature a range of events from seminars, coaching sessions and All Star demonstration matches to advice from Manchester United’s and the Beckham Academy’s soccer school coaches and goal keeper training. Manchester United’s head of sports science will be discussing how technical fitness applies at all levels of the game and the youngest ever county FA chief executive will be describing the career pathways available. A panel including Huw Jennings, Nick Perchard and Paul Johnson will also be leading a session based on ‘Improving the delivery of foot-

ball in education’. Finally, there will be a ‘Boot Room’ where visitors can talk to well known managers and coaches about any problems or challenges they have faced and get their solutions for advice. Bob added: “The event is particularly useful for those involved in coaching from an education perspective. “Many coaches complete their level one, but because level two is so expensive in terms of time and money, many don’t take it and this is one of the biggest challenges that the FA faces. “But in just one day we are able to provide a lot of fresh ideas and information and coaches get the chance to take all these new skills and pass them on to everyone at their clubs – so everyone benefits.”

Minister calls for school link with leisure facilities SCHOOLS should be linking up with local leisure facilities to provide the best possible PE opportunities according to Welsh minister Jane Hutt. She has been promoting the Community Focused Schools programme, which aims to partner schools with other community facilities including sport and leisure centres to help provide better access for young people. She said: “The programme is about the engagement of schools with the community and with parents and their children. We know that young people want the opportunity to get more involved in fitness activities and by making sure that key locations are catered for and that there is good communication between everyone involved we can facilitate that. “We have a commitment to developing schools with better sport and community links and that means trying to be much more innovative about their use and the range of fit-

ness opportunities available.” The programme has found that making connections between schools and communities can break down barriers to exercising. It has also shown that if pupils are guided to different activities and equipment during school PE lessons then the are more likely to get involved after school, because they are already familiar with the process. Jane added: “The aim is to make it all a part of life and open up accessibility by providing flexibility in what is available and when it can be used. “We want to try and engage every young person and look after every aspect of policy and see how we can relate it to fitness. “It is also particularly cost effective, especially in terms of value for money because of the many different options that become available. “Co-location and sharing of resources make sense from a financial as well as a health and fitness perspective.”

Conference looks at youth sport research A CONFERENCE covering the latest research into youth sport is set to take place at Brunel University in September. The Centre for Youth Sport and Athlete Welfare has joined forces with Loughborough University’s Institute of Youth Sport to organise ‘Researching Youth Sport: Supporting Youth Ability and Talent’. The event will examine support sys-

tems for young people at all levels of ability and performance, focussing on three key dimensions: sport science, ability and talent development and welfare issues. Seminars will include live interviews with former elite child athletes, the first public presentation of data from an NSPCC national prevalence study on young people’s experiences in sport and talent identification.


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Fencing thrust into the timetable By Christina Eccles A MATHS teacher’s challenge to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games has led to a new sport being introduced into her school’s PE lessons. Natasha Hunt – a teacher at Oakwood School in Horley – was approached by a personal trainer at her local gym who wanted to prove that with the right training and support, an ordinary gym member could compete at Olympic level. Her training programme consists of work on the five modern pentathlon disciplines – shooting, fencing, swimming, riding and running – and an interest from both pupils and staff in the fencing element has led to plans to include it in school PE. Natasha said: “The headmistress now wants to bring fencing into the school and I am training to do my fencing exams so I can teach it as well. It’s not only the kids

Natasha Hunt

‘The headmistress now wants to bring fencing into the school and I am training to do my fencing exams so I can teach it as well.’ that want to do it, the staff do too.” Natasha added that she was never very good at school sport but decided to take up the challenge to learn new skills and become successful in them. She said that the modern pentathlon appealed to her as it was a mixture of different disciplines which kept training interesting. She now hopes that her efforts will encourage pupils who are put off by some of the traditional sports seen in school PE lessons to try new ways of keeping fit such as the fencing classes.

She added: “I was never good at sports at school and wanted to be really good at something. “I wanted to try modern pentathlon and this is the last chance I have of being really good at something at a high level. “This has changed my views on exercise. You don’t have to do it the way that schools tell you it should be done. “So often the kids going to school think that teachers don’t have a life outside school and this shows that I can do other things as well.”

Hopes to take kids’ fitness programme into schools By Mary Ferguson OPERATORS of a fitness programme for children under seven are aiming to take their classes into schools by rolling out more franchises Stretch n Grow, a holistic health and fitness programme for children from 18 months to seven years, offers children the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and exercise in afterschool clubs and nurseries. UK operations director Deno Davie

said he is hoping those forced into redundancy or wanting their own business will be attracted to taking on a franchise, that can then be delivered within primary schools. Cheadle Hulme Junior School in Cheshire has been running the classes for two years. Infant coordinator Linda Wardsaid: “We were doing a lot of work on healthy eating anyway and when one of the parents told me about the programme I thought it was a great idea.”

The programmes are structured around a 30 or 40 minute lesson which combines music, stories and props with warm-up exercises, aerobics and discussions about healthy eating and the body. The classes take place once a week for half an hour over lunch time and are taken by a qualified fitness instructor. At the start of the year, parents are invited to come in and try out the classes, which cost £3 a time, to

Conference to focus on latest ideas in physical education THIS year’s afPE National Conference will be focussing on the latest developments and ideas in physical education. The event, ‘Thinking Beyond Targets – Shaping Tomorrow Today’, is set to take place from June 24 to 26 and aims to provide a professional development opportunity for PESS professionals. Throughout the conference a series of speakers will be presenting new research and interactive learning sessions will be held to discuss current educational challenges. Keynote speakers include Sir John Jones, Richard Gerver, Professor Paul Gately of Leeds Metropolitan University, afPE CEO Professor Margaret Talbot

and World Paralympic Champion Danny Crates. The interactive learning sessions will cover topics from a discussion of the report ‘Physical Education in Schools 2005/2008 – Working Towards 2012 and Beyond’, an independent review of the primary curriculum, media training and the physical education community. There will also be a range of practical sessions, including rowing, outdoor and adventurous activities and cheerleading.

afPE CEO Professor Margaret Talbot

decide if they want their children to take part. Linda added: “The kids are on the go all the time in the classes and when we tried it as teachers, even we were exhausted. “The kids are very enthusiastic about it and I’ve noticed that since they started the classes they seem to be more active in the playground too. “It’s also very educational – they know more than me about the different parts of the body.”


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18 news Three years after joining a sports partnership, Grenoside Primary School in Sheffield has transformed how its pupils exercise. Mary Ferguson paid a visit to find out more.

Partnership proves a runaway success ... THE school joined the Points SSP in 2006 and since then sport has topped the list of priorities. Out of hours clubs now run before school, at lunchtime and at the end of the day – as well as at weekends – and children have had the opportunity to try different activities to help them find a form of exercise they like. PE coordinator Louise Cann said: “I became PE coordinator at the same time we joined the partnership so it was a great opportunity to raise the profile of sport in the school.” As well as running popular sports like football and tennis year round, the school tries to introduce more unusual activities including yoga, fencing, aerobics and even maypole classes. Expert coaches come in to deliver the sessions and club links have been established with Sheffield Wednesday FC, Sheffield Eagles RLFC and a local cricket club.

Pupils geared up for motor skills sessions

The yoga class in action.

The school has won a number of accolades, including the Points gold award for achieving two hours a week of high quality PE and sport and the Activemark for schools in 2007 and 2008. Louise said one of the most popular after school sessions is Fundamentals, an exercise class for children from years one and two. Combining a mix of ball skills, aerobics and gymnastics attract over 30 pupils each time. “Key stage two children have a lot more on offer to them because of their age so we are really trying to develop more for key stage one. As a partnership we recognise this is an area of concern and are trying to tackle it and build on the success of Fundamentals.” Children from year six who have become sports leaders run clubs for the younger pupils during lunch and break times – making their own marketing material to promote them

around the school – and Louise said it’s not just those who are good at PE that put themselves forward to be leaders. The parents, she said, are ‘fantastic’ and a number of them run after school clubs themselves, including dance and football training. “Lots of the boys used to do Saturday football training elsewhere in the city but many of them have decided to do it at the school instead, which is great. And one lad in year five plays for Manchester United’s under tens team, so goes over to their ground three or four times a week.” Louise said she has noticed children who were quiet in class or struggled with their work really come out of their shells through participating in sport. She added: “PE is a very cross curricular subject and helps the children in all different areas. We are proud of what we have managed to achieve over the last three years.”

FOR the last two years, Grenoside Primary School has been running early morning motor skills sessions for children in all years. The half hour classes are taken by high level teaching assistant Janet Browne, who took a training course after seeing how much exercise helped her Dyspraxic son. One term the sessions focus on gross motor skills and the next it will change to fine motor skills, helping the children to develop core and upper body strength, balance and concentration. Apparatus is used as a fun obstacle course and other sessions use equipment including body scooters, planks and balls. Janet said: “We have noticed a big change in the children since starting the classes, both in PE and in other lessons too. “People don’t realise that it takes strong shoulders, arms and hands to be able to write properly for example. And because the sessions run before school, it helps the pupils start the day settled and more focused.” Janet added that the classes have also given some children the confidence to go on and join some of the after school sports.


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Rebuild prompts rise in demand for PE facilities By Louise Cordell

The gym’s owners Tony and Shirley Ann with actress Denise Welch who appeared at a recent relaunch.

Tony offers a taste of gym life SECONDARY school pupils in Northumberland have been given the chance to experience life in the fitness industry thanks to one local gym owner. Tony Hall – owner of The Buzz Factory in Prudhoe – takes on about four students a year in work placements from Prudhoe Community High School and says it is a good way for them to get a feel for a career in health and fitness. And Tony, who is also a former teacher and youth worker, told Future Fitness that he wants to do as much as possible to encourage local kids into the gym environment. He said: “We take an average of four kids every year and this is

something I like to do as it exposes young people to health and fitness in the community. “I used to work at the school with disengaged kids, helping them get back into the classroom. The gym is a fantastic environment and I am really pleased the school is sending kids down.” As part of his commitment to the project, the gym also offers cut price gym sessions for sixth form pupils at the school costing just £2.50 – something which Tony said is proving popular. He added: “Kids can’t afford to take out yearly membership so they pay £2.50 on the door. We have got quite a few who come in and it’s good to see young people in the gym.”

A LANCASHIRE college has trebled participation in its sports programmes thanks to a £20m redevelopment. Nelson and Colne College has seen demand for its PE facilities rise since the rebuild, which amalgamated two previous sites onto one campus. As part of the move, all PE and sport departments were relocated into a new building, housing a six court sports hall and fully equipped fitness centre. Catherine Stanworth, section leader for sport and PE, said: “The new facility has made a massive difference, before it wasn’t very appealing but now it really has the wow factor. It has encouraged many more students to come and take part in various sports and numbers attending the various sports sessions has trebled.” The six court sports hall is available for activities including cricket, badminton, basketball and table tennis and the fitness centre is free to use for all college pupils. All these facilities are specially freed up for three hours a day ‘enrichment time’, when any student can drop in

and take part in activities like table tennis. Catherine added: “We set this time aside to encourage participation and it has been a huge success. “That is one of the many good things about the new facility - we can get many people in there doing different things at the same time.” The college’s sports department is also heavily involved in the local community. Most of the students go out into local primary and secondary schools to gain first hand experience of teaching PE or sports coaching. Local primary schools also bring their pupils in once a week for multisports sessions, run by the students, to give them extra practice. Catherine added: “Nearly all of our students choose to go on to university to study primary or secondary teaching, sports development and coaching, physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation. That is why we value working with the local community so highly. It is so important for the students to get hands on experience of the industry they believe they want to work in before they make their final choices.”


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news 21 Gymnastics has traditionally been targeted at younger children, with few older kids staying with the sport long term. However a new training academy in Bexhill is aiming to change that with the introduction of ‘teen friendly’ freestyle classes.

Academy inundated with flipping kids THE 1066 Gymnastic Academy opened last month and has over 10,000 sq ft devoted to helping young gymnasts fulfill their potential. The Academy is run by manager and head coach Matthew Hart, whose aim is to bring the sport to a wider audience than ever before. To do this, it has become the first club in the South East to offer brand new ‘freestyle’ classes, developed by British Gymnastics. The discipline has been compared to parkour and free running – using all the gymnastic apparatus with an emphasis on flips and jumps. Matthew said: “When I heard about the pilot course for this new type of gymnastics I was very keen to get involved. I knew that there was a gap in gymnastics provision for teenagers who wanted to get involved in the sport recreationally, and I thought this would be a good opportunity. “Up until now the sport hasn’t had much to offer older children because the window for training

and competing generally comes when they are young.” For now the club has the only two qualified coaches in the South East but it is set to spread fast to the rest of the UK. The 1066 club has been inundated with requests from local kids wanting to join up and the two classes provided each week are already oversubscribed. Matthew is now hoping to get more staff trained to teach the class over the summer, so that they can put on more sessions to keep up with demand. He added: “I think we have hit on a style that really appeals to teens as it is very showy and adventurous. “It has been great to see the amount of older kids getting involved, because it gives them somewhere to go, something to do with their time that they enjoy, and they also have qualified coaches on hand to give advice, help them improve and make sure they’re safe.”

Chance for youngsters to net Olympic opportunity YOUNG Scottish footballers are being offered the chance to aim for the Olympics as part of a new initiative. The Pitch2Podium scheme gives apprentice football players that are released from Scottish clubs an opportunity to switch their talents to Olympic sports. Organised by UK Sport, the Scottish and English Institutes of Sport and PFA Scotland, it aims to help more young people use their skills to succeed in different sports and disciplines. Chelsea Warr, UK Sport’s head of athlete development, said: “This talent identification work boosts our chances of finding new athletes capable of representing Great Britain at the highest level. We hope to unearth some future Olympic champions in Scotland today as we assess the young football players’ potential. “Unfortunately, not all of these players are going to make it to the top of the game, but via Pitch2Podium

they could transfer the ready-made skills and abilities they have developed into a new sport and potentially even progress towards the Olympic podium.” The talent transfer project was piloted last year in England and the quality of applicants was so high it has now been rolled out to the Scottish football clubs as well. The players will be put through their paces in a range of physical tests, conducted by sports scientists and Olympic coaches, designed to identify those with the potential to succeed in an Olympic sport. Tony Stanger, talent manager at the SportScotland Institute of Sport, said: “It is great to be partnering with the UK Talent Team to provide young Scottish players who might not make it in football, which is such a hotbed of athletic talent, with a new Olympic opportunity. This initiative could also help us boost Scotland’s talent pool ahead of Glasgow 2014.”

Get active call to Welsh children CHILDREN in Wales are being urged to get active with the launch of a 2012 Olympic Education Programme. The scheme, run by the London 2012 Organising Committee, is targeted at three to 19 year olds and aims to promote school and college projects that highlight the ‘spirit of the Olympics’. Website, www.london2012.com/getset, has been set up and learning resources including

games, factsheets, films and articles are available. In Wales around 80 schools have signed up and, launching the site, deputy minister for skills John Griffiths, said: “I am pleased to be launching this site which I am sure will encourage many to take part in events and projects which reflect the Olympic and Paralympic values such as friendship, respect and determination.”

Classes lead teens to join Team Gym AN unexpected bonus from the 1066 Academy’s freestyle classes has been that several teens who showed up have become involved in other gymnastics activities too. Instructors have been able to spot those with natural talent and ability and help them to get involved in the club’s Team Gym, where they can compete with others around the country. Head coach Matthew added: “It was not something I was expecting at all when we first started the classes, but it has been a pleasant surprise. “All of our instructors are able to spot those kids who have a talent for the moves involved and once we point this out to them they are usually very excited to take part in something new. “The Team Gym gives them the chance to travel and compete as part of a close knit squad and improve their skills at the same time.”


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Vital to engage young in variety of activities By Jonathan Williams THERE have been some very positive developments over recent years on the inclusive nature of Physical Education (PE) with fresh approaches to the subject. Many partnerships and schools are now offering a good range of activities, helping all pupils to get involved. There are opportunities for pupils from the gifted and talented to those who have no confidence in physical activity. New pathways are being offered through the curriculum to support this process and to accommodate different levels of academic performance. With options including GCSEs, diplomas and NVQs, PE is seen as a progressive career route with huge potential. Ultimately if we are going to have any impact on the health of nation, it is this inclusive style that is likely to be more effective in delivering the activity message. Being inclusive is fantastic in theory, but how do schools provide this on the ground? Recent PE conferences I have attended are testament to the fact

Jonathan Williams that there are now a plethora of suppliers offering the latest equipment, products and services for physical activity. With this huge choice, schools obviously want to spend their much sought after funding carefully.

But how do they know what is best? The answer is to provide activity solutions that meet the requirements of the end user – the pupils. Equipment will obviously be needed for 16+ pupils and teachers, but primarily, the offering should be designed for the pupils themselves. What is the point in having a state of the art gym if the people who need it most can’t use it? If 95 per cent of the kit needs to be used by under 18s what is the point of having only five per cent specifically made for them? And of course, ask the pupils. It is also essential to engage young people through a range of activities, one product alone is never the solution. Young people need to realise the importance of exercise and how this will help them in adulthood. Teachers need the tools to effectively structure a PE lesson to give each pupil the attention they need to get involved. The fitness industry needs suppliers who provide a partnership approach to schools and offer them a range of tools and training so that each pupil experiences an excellent level of PE. Jonathan Williams in CEO of Shokk

School serves new indoor tennis centre A FOUR court indoor tennis centre has been constructed to help promote the sport at Writhlington School in Avon. The new centre is dedicated to tennis and has been built to full Lawn Tennis Association standards by Collinson Plc. It is hoped that the facility will

enhance the school’s reputation as a centre of excellence for sport. Dan Collinson, Collinson sales and marketing director, said: “This is a truly special new facility and we are confident it will increase the number of people enjoying tennis at all levels in this area. The building is fitted out to give tennis players every conceiv-

Ssshh ... new ball court launched PLAYGROUND designer and manufacturer Sutcliffe Play is launching a new ball court that features a unique sound insulation system to keep noise at bay. Sutcliffe Play’s Youthzone Ball Court is a multi use games area (MUGA) for children of all ages and is suitable for a wide variety of sports including football, tennis, netball and basketball. The development of the MUGA follows consultations with local authorities and the key objective was to reduce noise impact to allow children to play in built up areas, where noise levels are often a concern for local residents. The design encases each strand of mesh in a rubber sealing system, pro-

viding unparalleled levels of noise suppression. With a maximum height of 3.6m and a modular construction, the ball court can be tailored to any location and sloping sites can also be catered for. For further information contact Claire Murgatroyd or Lauren Trisconi on 01772 421 442 or e-mail: claire@mtjpr.co.uk

able advantage and the atmosphere will inspire those who are committed to excellence, as well as those who just want a friendly knockabout.” The centre is 65m long and 11.5m high and has been specifically designed for racket sports with no internal columns or support to get in the way of the game.

College chooses SportsArt NEW College Durham selected SportsArt Fitness Cardio products to equip their new sports complex ‘Steps2Fitness’. The facility will be used to instruct students involved in sport and exercise science, sports therapy and also exercise studies, as well as encouraging students, staff and the local community to participate in leisure pursuits. Mo Dixon, college head, said: “With over 500 members of all ages and fitness levels, any new fitness equipment had to be user friendly and fit for purpose, meeting the demands of constant use, day and night, seven days a week. “In competitively tendering, SportsArt also arranged a demonstration of their cardio equipment and constructively advised on our initial plans and equipment selection. “But what clinched the contract was a comprehensive warranty and service deal, which was paramount in ensuring that equipment operates reliably and safely at all times. “The modern design and robust construction impressed and assured us the equipment would meet the demands of constant use. “Although high-tech in looks, in reality, the visual displays were very clear and controls userfriendly.”


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This spring Future Fitness will be launching its very own e-newsletter. The monthly letter will contain breaking news from the industry as well as information about forthcoming features and events. Like the magazine, the e-newsletter is completely free to receive. All we need you to do is register your e-mail address by visiting our website, www.futurefitness.uk.net, calling 01226 734695 or complete the registration form that arrives with your copy of Future Fitness. Any companies wishing to take advantage of the sponsorship opportunities available on the e-newsletter should contact 01226 734672 or e-mail sales@futurefitness.uk.net.


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