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Sport and fitness for today’s youth
April 2010 £2.75
Team ready to get kids more active By Louise Cordell A TEAM of specially trained coaches are set to be deployed across the country to help children become more active. School Sport Partnerships are being encouraged to recruit the Active Lifestyle Coaches, who can be anyone from teaching assistants to parents and lunchtime supervisors. Their job will be to help motivate kids to do at least one extra hour of physical activity per week, especially in alternative sports like breakdancing, cheerleading, martial arts or yoga. The scheme is being delivered through the government’s Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy and coaches will receive training, resources and equipment to help get kids involved. If they are qualified, they will be expected to deliver the fun activity sessions themselves, but if not their role will be to help young people access activities delivered by local coaches. Dawn Primarolo, children’s minister, said: “School sport has been transformed in recent years. Nine out of ten children are now taking part in at least two hours of PE a week and we are committed to building on this to help children get five hours of PE and sport
a week, in school and in the community. But we know it’s not always easy to motivate children to do exercise. “So we hope that the new Active Lifestyle programme will help schools target children that are less physically active through fun, innovative and engaging activities. This will help children to develop confidence in their abilities and establish a healthier lifestyle throughout childhood that will last into adulthood.” It is hoped that 20,000 children from the ages of four to five, and ten to 11 will take part in the programme in the first year, with active lifestyle coach working in up to 1,100 schools. The government is providing the Youth Sport Trust with £1m funding for coaches and a number of SSPs aiming to deliver the project have also gained financial support from local partners such as the PCT and their local authorities. Steve Grainger, Youth Sport Trust chief executive, said: “We want to create more and better opportunities for all young people. However, sport does not naturally appeal to some children which is why, through developments such as Active Lifestyles, we continually strive to offer every young person the opportunity to be inspired.”
Grecians visit every school
Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon has received a national award for its innovative practice in PE. The specialist sports college has been held up as an example of how to provide pupils with an unmissable sports programme after undergoing a complete curriculum overhaul. Students are now able to take part in activity sessions including mountain biking, sailing, go-karting, orienteering and climbing. As well as making PE the school’s most popular subject, the changes have led to widespread improvements in performance and attendance. Full story, Page 6 Picture: Shaun Smith Photography
EVERY secondary school in the Exeter School Sport Partnership has received a visit from Exeter City FC players in a bid to inspire pupils to take part in PE. As part of the launch of an official partnership between the club and the Partnership, the players and coaching staff visited the schools to stage a series of workshops and training sessions. Kealey Sherwood, SSP manager, said: “We are all aware of the impact that sporting role models can have on the lives of young people. "Working in partnership with Exeter City Football Club provides us with a unique opportunity in which to bring some of our youngsters local sporting heroes from the club in to schools to inspire them to be the best that they can be in whatever arena; whether it is sport, art, music or academic.”
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London 2012 Get Set recognition for sports college PARK House School in West Berkshire has become one of the UK’s first London 2012 Get Set network schools. The sports college has been recognised for its work in education development and opportunities directly related to the Olympics. Headteacher Derek Peaple said: “We have been carrying out innovative and cross curricular work for student learning and personal development. As a sports college we already use sport in the widest context to take what we do forward, but student leadership, development and our young ambassador programme are also very important. “We have also used partnerships in the Get Set network to provide extended services and increase our ability to deliver.” The school has introduced a wide range of different activities for its pupils, all built around Olympic values. It started by creating a student sport development team as a subset of the student council. The pupils involved talk to their peers about sport developments they would like to see in the school as well as setting an example for younger students and working to engage others. The school has also created a ‘Wall of Fame’, identifying pupils who have contributed to the Olympic values of excellence, inspiring
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 Assistant sales and product manager: Rachel Collins sy@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734709
others, respect, courage, equality and friendship. Derek added: “The whole programme has presented fantastic opportunities for thematic learning and means that even pupils who would not usually consider themselves sporty have been able to get involved in the spirit of 2012. For example, our art students have recently spent a week capturing famous Olympic moments in the style of different, well known artists.” He is now planning new ways of keeping sport at the forefront of school life including a trip to South Africa in the lead up to the 2010 World Cup to help build up the idea of an international values passport. The school is also hoping to organise a flame relay around the secondary and primary schools in the area from this September through to July 2012. It is hoped that this will be part of a larger cross curricular programme that will allow every young person in the area to get excited about their role in the Games. Derek added: “The whole of our tutorial programme has been rebuilt around the Olympic values and the aim is that they will be so embedded in the school by the time 2012 has come and gone that they will continue to benefit our pupils, staff and communities long into the future.”
www.futurefitness.uk.net 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
Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form has launched three new academies to help talented sports students fulfil their potential. Pupils in the Pendle and West Craven areas will be able to gain access to professional coaching in netball, football and basketball while taking their A Levels. A number of talented athletes have already made it to the top of their sport after attending the College including Olympic cycling medallist Steven Burke, ladies England football squad goal keeper Rachel Brown and international hockey player Charlotte Hartley.
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4 news
Schools urged to get set for Olympics By Louise Cordell
The Royal Opera House has announced a short list of 13 young choreographers who will see their work performed at the iconic venue. The scheme is part of Youth Dance England’s Young Creatives programme, giving 15 to 19 year olds the chance to develop their choreographic work with professional choreographers. The chosen young people will now be given the chance to showcase their selec-
tion of 12 pieces of work at a one-off, public performance in Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House in April. Before the show they will complete a week long training residential at the Royal Ballet School where they will be challenged to create two new dance pieces in two days to help improve their choreographic skills. These new works will then be premiered alongside the original 12 pieces.
GET Set is calling on more schools to get involved in the run up to the London Olympic Games. The aim of the 2012 education programme is to get children and young people involved in the excitement of the event and is working to create a community of schools and colleges that share this goal. Nick Fuller, LOCOG’s head of education, said: “Get Set is about capturing the imagination of young people and leaving a legacy. “How teachers use the programmes in schools will define what that legacy is. “We want them to tell young people that what makes the Olympics special is that it is not just sport for sport sake - it brings with it an important set of tools for life and we can use the 2012 run up as a motivator to drive that. “Our commitment is to pushing beyond our personal best and we want to take that attitude into schools. “We want young people to know that it doesn’t have to be about winning gold medals, but about discovering something that they want to
develop and growing within it.” Over 16,000 schools from around the UK are already involved in the scheme and have been provided with resources to help teachers bring 2012 to life and to make the Games relevant and exciting. For example, over the last month a series of activities based around Vancouver’s Winter Games have been released, alongside the launch of Get Set Plus, which gives access to projects and programmes run by 2012 partners in areas like PE, sports, enterprise and citizenship. Nick added: “In just 18 month we have reached over half of the schools in the UK and now we want them to up their engagement with us. “We know this is an interesting time and whatever happens following the election, the key elements of education will continue to be important, and Get Set will continue to help with these. “Sport is a very important outcome of the programme, but we believe that the encompassing values have a much greater resonance in all schools. Our objectives now are to get more people more involved and use the country’s students to continue to spread the message.”
Children from Boxted Primary School with Mark Foster
Splashing start for scheme A STRICTLY Come Dancing star and former world swimming champion has visited The Stanway School in Colchester to launch the area’s Pools 4 Schools programme. The scheme is currently teaching children across the country to swim and has already been successful in London, Sheffield, Birmingham and Manchester. It involves taking mobile swimming pools to schools around the country and offering a six week programme of lessons in areas where people find it difficult to access local pools. Mark Foster said: “The children are able to learn both health and safety benefits, in parallel with social interaction and the enjoyment that can be experienced from swimming. “Plus, you never know, the Pools 4 Schools programme may even find another Becky Adlington.”
There are currently 16 schools in the area that will be using the pool for the entire six week programme, and the local community will also have access during after school hours. Barry Nevin, head teacher of Stanway Fiveways Primary School, said: “We are thrilled to be able to take part in the Pools 4 Schools scheme, swimming is so important in so many ways, not least as a skill that can save a life. “It would be wonderful if Mark inspired a generation of Fiveways Olympic swimmers – but actually it is just as important if they motivate children to swim that first ten or twenty five metres; the hardest part of anything in life is often the start and the Pools for Schools scheme has helped enormously in ensuring that a good start has been made.”
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Youngsters love visits to Ripped By Mary Ferguson A STRENGTH training gym in Harlow is showing its softer side and helping challenged children by offering its fitness facilities for free. Ripped hosts sessions for youngsters taking part in Educational Youth Services (EYS) who use the gym as part of their ‘functional skills for life’ programme. The programme consists of nine stages including numeracy, literacy, ICT, leisure and art and design and aims to re-engage young people with learning, building their self esteem and promote social inclusion. The curriculum works to enable the young people to work imaginatively to meet their needs and to raise expectations in others and themselves. 11 students, a tutor and a coach use the gym facilities once a week for three hours, with a focus on biology and science. Michelle Meade, co-owner of
Ripped, said: “At the start of the year we sat down as a gym and decided that we would concentrate on helping kids in 2010. I knew the tutor at EYS, Anthony Anstead, when we partnered with Harlow Town FC, which he used to be manager of. We were delighted when he approached us to help with the EYS.” The youngsters who use the gym are aged between 11 and 15 and Michelle said they behave well during the sessions because they like coming back. She added: “They love it here because there are big guys, modern music, and they like to go upstairs to see the boxing ring and fighting cage. “We use the sessions to develop knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes they will need for mental, emotional, social and physical well being.” As well as working with EYS, Ripped is also expanding its children’s boxing classes, taking on two new instructors to cope with demand for the sessions.
Joanne Morgan and Jenn Thom celebrate with children from St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School
Volleyball duo support pupils TWO volleyball stars from the Sheffield-based Great Britain squad have been supporting the sporting achievements of local pupils. Jenn Thom and Joanne Morgan presented awards to kids from four city schools who have completed the six week Playing For Success programme at the English Institute of Sport. Almost 60 children from Greenlands Junior School, Stradbroke Primary School, Windmill Hill Primary School and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School received a prize and certificate at the presentation night. The PfS programme aims to raise
standards in literacy, numeracy and ICT and increase self esteem in children aged ten 10 14. Sessions are designed to motivate young people to learn through sporting equipment, with support from elite athletes who train at the venue. Jakki Marshall, centre co-ordinator for Playing for Success, said: “Playing for Success continues to go from strength to strength at EIS Sheffield and hundreds of local children have now benefitted from this programme. “We are very grateful to Jenn and Joanne for taking the time to attend the presentation night and they were a great inspiration to the children.”
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A sports curriculum that includes mountain biking, sailing and go-karting has made PE the most popular lesson at Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon. The specialist sports college has now received an award for its innovative practice and is hoping to introduce more new ideas this year.
Picture: Shaun Smith Photography
School acts to make PE unmissable HINCHINGBROOKE School in Cambridgeshire has been held up as an example of how to provide an innovative PE curriculum at key stage four. It was named a winner at the Sports Colleges Conference Innovation Awards after undergoing a complete shake up of its whole sports programme. Peter Brennan, assistant head and director of specialism, said: “We have always been a fairly traditional school but young people are changing very rapidly these days and our key stage four provision was starting to look tired. “Pupils were starting to vote with their feet – so to address this and make PE unmissable we needed to start thinking like the students. “It really needed a complete review and overhaul of the whole sports curriculum.
“We also felt it was important to offer a coherent programme, rather than just bolting on a few new activities as a quick fix, so that the students were able to make real progress.” The school’s aim was to provide an exciting and varied programme that would include all pupils, including those who didn’t see themselves as ‘sporty’. To do this they introduced a lot of new games that were new to all the pupils, for example ultimate frisbee, so that they were all starting from the same level. The PE staff also decided to make the most of the school’s location, backing onto Hinchingbrooke Country Park, and introduce outdoor activities including orienteering, mountain biking, sailing and climbing. Peter added: “The challenge is to
keep enthusiasm going throughout KS4 as students want to continue to be surprised and to try new things. “We wanted to provide a dynamic, exciting and varied programme that would make PE everyone’s favourite subject. “My philosophy is that the PE programme should be like a library – not full of the same type of books – but with something for everyone, because different people have different interests and this is the only way to genuinely contribute to our students leading active lifestyles.” The school found that the best approach for the more mature KS4 students was to give them a choice of pathways, allowing them to opt into the areas that they wanted to pursue. At Hinchingbrooke they can now follow leadership, outdoor, fitness or performance routes, among others, which means that pupils can do
more of what they enjoy, while still making progress. The school devises a series of experiences that fits in with each individual pathway, helping pupils to gain experience and qualifications in that area. Peter added: “It has not been easy or a quick fix - we have had to work on it over a number of years. “But the PE review has kick started ‘fit for purpose’ reviews across other areas of the curriculum and has resulted in an impact on performance and attendance across the whole school. “Results have been getting better and better over the last few years, we are predicting further improvements this year - and the PE programme has certainly made a significant contribution to this. “It has been a big part of the school’s ongoing reinvention.”
Picture: Nick Scott Photography
Resilience wins through HINCHINGBROOKE’S new PE curriculum has been a great success, but the staff faced a number of challenges along the way. Peter found that while the ideas for the new programmes were well received in principle, in reality the practice of teaching for understanding and the logistics of organising student choices and transportation presented some problems. He said: “The demands on PE staff to work outside their traditional skill set proved to be the source of much anxiety and resulted in wavering commitment to the programme. “The novelty of off-site activity began to wear thin and the difficulty of ensuring that all the activities posed an adequate challenge meant things felt like they were getting
worse before they got better.” To address this, and in order to support the staff, the school organised ‘PE Pizza Training’ – a regular evening staff training session, where colleagues were able to discuss the different aspects of the new curriculum model – followed by pizza. Peter added: “The reasons behind the redevelopment of the curriculum were compelling and although at times this proved uncomfortable, the challenge has proved liberating and exciting for staff, students and parents. The resilience of staff and students to work together to create something better has been at the root of our success. “When things didn’t quite work we stuck at it, and the students worked with us to make things better.”
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Sport used to target poor behaviour By Christina Eccles A SCHOOL in Warrington has revealed how it has used sport and physical activity to successfully target poor behaviour and attendance. William Beamont Community School and Specialist Sports College has been using the Sky Sports Living For Sport programme in order to target disengaged pupils. The school looked at the type of young people who needed support – such as those who were disaffected from lessons or with low self esteem and attendance problems – and encouraged them to participate in the programme. The aim of Living for Sport is to encourage pupils to take on different sporting activities in order to help them engage with other aspects of school life. For those on the scheme, the school wanted to achieve objectives such as: Better prepared pupils when entering KS4. More confident individuals. Development of leadership skills and sporting leaders of the future. Improvement of communication skills. Pupils with greater self awareness
and better life skills. And the school has managed to achieve great successes in the project – including more than 50 per cent of one Living for Sport group having a 10 per cent or more increase in attendance. Living For Sport co-ordinator Phil Shaw explained: “We first looked at Living For Sport in KS4 as a sticking plaster effect but have since moved down to KS3 to target kids before they get to the really important years of school life.” Pupils on the programme took part in two lessons per week – one predominantly a PE lesson and the other looking at topics such as healthy eating and team building skills. Director of specialism Craig Milburn added: “We wanted to get the kids better prepared at the end of year nine for their GCSEs and engage them and give them confidence – particularly kids with low self-esteem. “In KS4 we then try to develop participation in sports related leadership activities and improve social skills by going on trips and camping.” At the end of the programme, the group went on a camp residential which they had helped to plan in their lessons.
Employment opportunities secured THE National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure has announced the creation of almost 2,500 new employment opportunities for young unemployed people in the sport and active leisure sector. The organisation recently launched a successful bid to tap into the Government's Future Jobs Fund, providing money for new jobs that will guarantee training and employment for six months. Florence Orban, National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure CEO, said: “Our aim is to revolu-
tionise our industry by staffing it with the best people with the best skills and training. There is a huge, untapped talent pool of young, enthusiastic people who just need a chance – a foot in the door – and that is exactly what they will get with the programme.” Employers who will be offering jobs through the Future Jobs Fund include Premier Sport, Fit for Sport, The Amateur Swimming Association, The Amateur Boxing Association of England and Transforming A Generation.
Unusual new sport aims to boost self esteem DISADVANTAGED young people in Truro and Falmouth are being given the chance to improve their fitness and confidence with an unusual new sport, thanks to a local social enterprise. Jinga Communities has been awarded £12,000 to help it deliver free courses in capoeira, a Brazilian martial arts/dance discipline. The six-week courses are targeted at unemployed 16 to 25 year olds and aim to boost their health and self esteem, helping them to return to training and work. Craig Blackburn, Jinga director and instructor, said: “Capoeira is an excellent tool for rebuilding confidence in individuals.
“In order to take part, participants have to develop relationships with others, not just verbally but also through movement and rhythm. “The blend of partner-based movement and percussive music builds self esteem, motivation, communication skills and fitness.” The Jinga 16-25 course consists of acrobatics, martial arts, breakdance steps, percussion instruments and singing in Brazilian Portuguese and participants will also learn about the culture of Brazil and the country’s Afro-European roots. Later this year the course will also be rolled out in up to four other locations in Cornwall including Newquay, St Austell and the Camborne/Pool/Redruth area.
Success for supply teacher Abdul ABDUL Kallay has been named Supply Teacher of the Year by PE Recruitment, winning an award and £150 of sportswear vouchers. Schools were asked to nominate the PE supply staff who had most impressed them with their reliability, punctuality and the quality of their teaching over the last year.
Jon Pettit, PE Recruitment MD, said: “As an ex-head of PE and PDM I know the value of high quality PE staff that can be relied upon by schools. “By promoting this award we are keen that good supply staff are suitably recognised and rewarded for the work they do in PE departments around the country.”
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Primary links bring PE improvement By Christina Eccles
Ellesmere College’s Under 15s’ Sevens Team is celebrating after winning the Adams Sevens Tournament. The annual competition was held at Adams Grammar School in Newport and gives schools in the area the chance to show off progress they have made over the year. Mike Sampson, Ellesmere’s coach, said: “We were blessed with a spell of good
weather and this led to some high quality rugby despite the fact that most teams were short of practice. “Adams Grammar School arranged a fine competition and I was delighted for the boys, who have made rapid progress in understanding the game of rugby sevens and who approached the Tournament in a very positive fashion.”
A SPECIALIST sports college has revealed how forming successful links with primary schools in the area has improved how these schools teach PE. Members of staff from Bishop Challoner Catholic School in Birmingham go into six local primary schools to teach pupils for two hours per week. And assistant principal Darren Turner and PE subject leader Edward O’Connor said this partnership has helped the schools to implement a better standard of physical education while also giving the sports college valuable information about their potential future intake of pupils. To raise standards in the partner primary schools, staff at Bishop Challoner have worked hard – utilising a number of tools to engage both primary pupils and staff. Edward explained: “We have the same member of staff going into each primary school, which is building up a rapport. If you can, continue that
relationship on a year by year basis. “The senior management team is also aware of what these staff are doing and the benefits of specialist PE teachers going into the schools. “Team delivery is absolutely essential. We want to make it sustainable so that when we step away, that teacher has the confidence to carry on with the task.” An attainment passport has also been created for the primary pupils, which is a booklet for them to record their progress and work on set tasks, with a detachable teacher’s page for comments. Edward added: “Each class teacher has the programme and will fill in the forms. “We can see straight away where there has to be progress so it is an excellent tool for monitoring and highlighting pupil progress.” A transition programme has also been created to help year six pupils worried about the move to secondary school, which involves training up year eight pupils to act as mentors and someone they can chat to.
Extra opportunities for young people in Derbyshire YOUNG people in Derbyshire are to be given more opportunities to take part in sport thanks to a new funding grant. A Village Games project has received over £600,000 from the Rural Communities fund, which was launched after Sport England revealed that two thirds of the local authorities with the lowest sports participation rates are in rural areas. The Village Games scheme aims to support country communities to develop new activities, events and competitions which will continue throughout and beyond the three
years of funding. Hayley Lever, director of the community sports trust said: “This funding will help us bring Derbyshire together and get more people playing sport in our rural communities. “The sports on offer will be a lot of fun but there will also be a competitive edge to some – and there will be something for everyone. “We want to harness the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, by offering the right activities, delivered by the right people in the right places to increase participation.”
£2m centre gets go-ahead at Olympian’s old school A NEW £2million gymnasium and innovation centre at Olympic medallist Louis Smith’s old school has been given the green light. Arthur Mellows Village College, in Peterborough, has been given the money to build a state of the art gymnasium facility complete with store rooms and a laundry facility. The school will also transform its current sports building into a new innovation and skills centre which will provide the new manufacturing and product design diploma for 14 to
19 year olds across the city. The existing gym will then be converted with the construction of a new mezzanine floor and internal rooms to provide a large production and workshop area, a computer suite with a Computer Aided Design facility and there will also be a new conference and seminar room. Approval for the project has been granted by Peterborough City Council and funding will come from the Department for Children, Schools and Families with work expected to begin shortly.
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A specialist sports college in Manchester has been using its sporting success to inspire improvement in other subjects. Failsworth School has now received an innovation award for its work and for the opportunities provided for its pupils – Future Fitness found out more.
PE practices used in other subjects FAILSWORTH School is now in its ninth year as a specialist sports college and has become a winner at the Sports Colleges Conference Innovation Awards. The school, which is home to 1,500 pupils, was praised for its achievements in ‘embedding its specialism to narrow the gap in whole school attainment’. Sharon Murray, the school’s cluster manager of PE, said: “We were so pleased to win the award because we have been working hard on using our sports specialism in many different ways. “It really started when we were having some problems with some of the boys in our PE classes. “They were becoming less engaged and were not getting anything out of the lessons. “So we started introducing activities like ultimate frisbee, extreme golf, wrestling and kickboxing, and saw a big improvement in attitude and performance. “Other departments had been having difficulties of their own and didn’t know why some pupils were just not switched on in their subjects – so they decided to give our approach a try.” As part of their attempt to use sport to enthuse the pupils, English teachers added the biographies of popular sports stars to reading lists and got football fans to practice analytic writing by producing match reports. Not to be outdone, maths teachers equipped their students with pedometers and introduced analysis and calculation lessons based on distances covered and calories burned. Sharon added: “We also all started using sporting analogies to help pupils with the run up to exams, for example instead of getting them to produce revision timetables, they would create a game plan. “We got them to think about what Alex Ferguson would do when planning and organising a big match and the work that the squad
had to put in, and got the students to apply that process to their own exam goals.” The school introduced an Olympic theme to help inspire the children and encourage them to ‘Go for Gold’. Three target groups of pupils were identified - those who needed help to achieve a C grade in English, those with the same target in maths, and those who needed support in both subjects. Teachers from the PE, maths and English departments then took these squads, around 100 pupils in total, on a series of outdoor activity trips to help build their confidence, communication and trust. The school then put on an awards morning where parents were invited in to help celebrate the pupils’ achievements and set up a ‘wall of fame’ to recognise pupils who had improved thanks to hard work. Sharon added: “We have changed the whole school structure to improve relationships between pupils and staff. “Instead of year groups we now have a house system, with houses named after Olympic cities, and we
have tutoring and coaching programmes within each house with older pupils coaching the younger ones. “PE staff have also been split across the house system in order to really embed the specialism throughout the school.” Ongoing sports leaders and sports ambassadors programmes have also worked particularly well in the school, and the idea has now been adopted by other departments including English and maths, by introducing ‘lesson leaders’ who help and inspire younger pupils. As of this year, the scheme will also be introduced into language and humanities lessons and the aim is to eventually extend it throughout the school, to ensure better teaching and development for all the students. Sharon added: “All the changes we have made have really led to big improvements across the curriculum. “Now we want to expand on great practice and make sure that all our pupils get all the benefits they can from it.”
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Activities could help pupils sail through subjects By Christina Eccles
Bid to get youths active and off the streets WARRINGTON School Sports Partnership has come up with a new event to help tackle obesity and antisocial behaviour. The interactive gaming night, called Wii 2 Real, has been created to encourage young people to get off the streets and get active. Over 150 12-16-year-olds took part in a variety of activities, led by young leaders from the Warrington Leadership Academy. A range of partner companies also got involved and put on demonstra-
tions, including ZigZag, Phoenix Boxing Club, Warrington Wolves dance performers ‘Fusion’ and the British Rope Skipping Association. Dave Quartermain, event and competition manager, said: “The aim of Wii 2 Real is to inspire young people to get more involved and participate in the many activities open to them. “Hopefully the event has raised awareness of the opportunities available and brought the Warrington community together.”
INCLUDING maritime adventure activities such as sailing into the sporting curriculum could improve achievement levels in other subjects, according to experts. Linda Melton, headteacher at The Wye Valley School and Jeremy Waitt, manager for UKSA Schools revealed to delegates at the Sports Colleges Conference in Telford the partnership which has formed between the school and the association – and how it has benefited pupils. UKSA – which is a charity dedicated to changing lives through maritime activities based on the Isle of Wight – has a 240-bed residential area where it has developed a range of programmes for schools and sports partnerships to come down and try out. Students from the school have attended courses at the centre and the activities have been tailored to meet their academic needs in subjects as diverse as youth apprentice schemes to geography. And after attending UKSA, results in these subjects went up on average at least one grade. Linda explained: “Taking part in
these activities gives pupils independence and development academically. Grades were up on targets and we would attribute this to the visit to UKSA. “At Wye Valley, we have also done work with year 11 pupils who were underachieving in English. They go to UKSA to have fun on the water and then do their English study in between.” Jeremy also revealed tips for schools wanting to include this sort of activity into their timetable. These include: Be aware that every group is different and the learning outside the classroom provider needs to work hard to get the most out of it. Find people to work with who have the same ethos as your school. Find a provider who understands the benefits of learning alongside the curriculum. Don’t get stuck in a rut – just because something is hard it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. But he warned that it was important to evaluate any activities and if you aren’t getting good learning outcomes and inspired pupils, it may be time to move on and try something else.
Call for end to promoting unhealthy body images PSYCHIATRISTS are calling on the media to stop promoting unhealthy body images to young people. The Royal College of Psychiatrists is asking for a new editorial code to be drawn up to end the ‘thin body ideal’ and encourage the use of more diverse body shapes. Members of the College’s Eating Disorders Section have claimed that they are becoming increasingly concerned about the harmful influence of the media on young people’s self esteem and want the government to tackle the issue. Dr Adrienne Key, consultant psychiatrist, said: “We are asking the government to create a forum with the aim of collaboratively developing an ethical editorial code that realistically addresses the damaging portrayal of eating disorders and raises awareness of unrealistic visual imagery created through airbrushing and digital enhancement. “There is a growing body of research
that shows the media plays a part in the development of eating disorder symptoms – particularly in adolescents and young people. “That’s why we are calling on the media to take greater responsibility for the messages it sends out.” The college has outlined three main areas of concern: The use of pre-teen or underweight models to promote a thin body ideal, and the use of airbrushing to portray physical perfection that is unattainable in real life. The fact that many magazine articles give advice on dieting without giving information about the longterm effectiveness of diets and the dangers of extreme dieting. The inaccurate portrayal of eating disorders, with many articles ‘glamorising’ weight loss and portraying eating disorders as mild disorders or personal weaknesses, rather than serious mental illnesses requiring specialist treatment.
Prenatal findings in obesity study THE best time to start childhood obesity prevention could be before birth, according to a new study. Research carried out at Harvard Medical School has revealed that action to stop kids becoming obese should be taken much earlier than previously thought. While most obesity prevention programmes target kids aged eight and
older, researchers are now suggesting that children can be at high risk of gaining weight from infancy and, in some cases, during pregnancy. Elsie Taveras, lead author, said: “This early life period, prenatal, infancy, to age five, is a key period for childhood obesity prevention, especially for minority children.”
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Champion is appointed in activity drive A HEADTEACHER has become one of nine new champions promoting grassroots sport across England. Sport England have launched a drive to get a million people involved in activity, led by a champion for each region of the country. They will aim to develop local partnerships that improve sports provisions and take-up, as well as securing continued investment for grassroots initiatives. North West champion, Pam Jervis, was the head teacher of Brookfield School in Kirkby – one of the first specialist sports colleges in the country, and is now Principal of Kirkby Sports College. She is also Chair of the Knowsley Schools Forum and represents education on the North West Steering Group for the 2012 Games. Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport said: “Our new champions have an important role in taking forward the spirit of partnership that is essential if our aim of getting many more people playing sport as one of the key
benefits from London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is to be realised. “They all have practical experience, bags of local knowledge and the skills needed to unite the many bodies with an interest in getting people more active – and I look forward to working with them.” The nine champions have a diverse range of skills and experience, and also include the chief executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, a former building society chief executive and a senior councillor responsible for his county’s Olympic legacy. Richard Lewis, Chair of Sport England, said: “The champions’ expertise and passion will help us make the case for sport, and its power to build happier, healthier, communities. Each of them will play a key role in cementing the local relationships that are critical to our drive to get more people playing sport and inspire individuals at every level to fulfill their potential.”
Arun Kang, Sporting Equals chief executive; Isa Guhal; David Mbaziira, Sporting Equals head of marketing and communications
Role model Isa wins award WOMEN’S cricket star Isa Guha has been named Sports Personality of the Year at the British Asian Sports Awards. Isa made her England debut at just 17 and helped to secure an Ashes victory in 2005. She has also captained Berkshire women and is an enthusiastic advocate of young women’s sporting achievement. Clare Connor, head of England Women's Cricket, said: “Isa thoroughly deserves this award. She has been a consistent performer for the England women's cricket team and off the
pitch she is a terrific ambassador for her sport and is an aspirational role model for young Asian women who have a dream of their own to pursue.” Isa also joined the Sporting Equals Ambassador programme at the start of 2010 and said: “I will be working with Sporting Equals to try and encourage more girls, especially of ethnic minorities, to get involved in sport. I want to show them that it is possible to study and have a normal career as well as achieving their sporting dreams.”
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Racing circuit opportunity for young cyclists YOUNG cyclists are being given the chance to swap their local park for a real-life racing circuit as part of a partnership between Rockingham and British Cycling. The Northamptonshire circuit has teamed up with the UK governing body to host a series of Go-Ride holiday coaching sessions. During the lessons, cyclists aged 16 or young will be able to improve their riding skills and learn various racing techniques on the 1.7 mile national circuit. Charlotte Orton, Rockingham director, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with British Cycling and this partnership is an example of the community involvement and education programme we have introduced at the circuit. “We can provide a safe and secure environment for young riders to improve their riding skills and techniques, while also having fun learning something they enjoy.” The young people need a road racing bike with dropped handlebars and a helmet to take part, but they do not need any racing experience as they are able to practice techniques during specific coaching activities and controlled races. Alison Lilley, British Cycling’s Eastern regional Go-Ride coach, said: “To work in a traffic-free road environment such as Rockingham is a unique opportunity for young riders and our coaching team. “It enables riders to practice in a controlled environment making it fun and safe to learn.”
Structured programme can cut body fat levels By Louise Cordell SCHOOLS that provide a structured physical activity programme can improve their pupils’ fitness and decrease their body fat levels, according to a new study. The findings, which have now been published in the British Medical Journal, have been taken from a Swiss research programme involving over 500 seven and 11 year olds in 15 schools. The children took part in a nine month physical activity programme designed by experts, which involved structuring their existing three PE lessons a week and adding two extra lessons. They were also given daily short activity breaks and physical activity homework. At the end of the trial researchers reported a relative decrease in body fat, improved aerobic fitness, higher levels of in-school physical activity and lower cardio risk in the young people who had taken part. Ninety per cent of the children and 70 per cent of
the teachers enjoyed the increase in PE lessons and wanted them to continue and the researchers attributed the programmes success to this popularity, as well as its intensity and its integration into the curriculum. The report stated: “This study offers a practical way of implementing a physical activity programme in schools. “This is important since childhood obesity and cardiovascular disease are increasingly common and many children are not responsive to programmes aimed at increasing out of school physical activity. “As well as improving the health and fitness of children, such programmes can improve health in later life by reducing cardiovascular and other diseases.” The report concluded that although school based physical activity programmes are promising, they may be difficult to sustain in the long term. It recommended that because wider implementation of the scheme would substantially add to the school timetable, further research into feasibility would be needed before progress could be made.
Where kids can focus on the great outdoors SCHOOLS and youth groups are able to take part in a range of outdoor activities at The Adventure Centre at Lusty Glaze. Classes on offer include surfing, coasteering, abseiling and other cliff challenges including a ‘rat run’ tunnelling experience, a ‘snakes and ladders’ vertical assault course and a 750 foot zip wire.
Children who like rock climbing can also try out the ‘cliffhanger’ – a low level traverse which leads them out along the cliffs of the headland and out to sea where there are cave jumps, overhangs and wildlife including gulls, sea hawks and seals. The centre’s aim is to provide a fun learning experience for young people and inspire enjoyment of the great outdoors.
The instructors are all outdoor professionals who are CRB checked and trained in first aid, safety and lifeguard qualified. The centre is also licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and is a founding member of the British Coasteering Federation, which promotes the safe teaching of this activity.
Pictured, back, from left: Dan Newton, Derbyshire Sport and Coun Pat Murray; and, front, Sega Fairweather, Will Weldon and David Smith
Olympic hopefuls get a boost from athlete fund WINTER Olympics hopefuls are among over 100 sports stars being supported by Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund. Derbyshire sporting stars who have set their sights on competing at the Winter Olympic Games in 2014 are among those being funded by the Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund this year. The fund offers financial help to sports performers who live in or represent Derbyshire and who compete for England or Great Britain or have the potential to do so within 18 months, with bursaries of up to £300 awarded to help meet training-related costs such as travel, coaching or equipment. Sega Fairweather, 19, Will Weldon,
16, and David Smith, 28, from Derby all hope to make the GB team in their respective sports for the Winter Olympic Games in 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Coun Clive Moesby, chair of Derbyshire Sport, said: “The athletes and their families tell us that the bursaries really do help, and they are also pleased to be recognised as some of most promising sports performers in Derbyshire.” In addition to the financial contributions, the University of Derby offers full fee scholarships to athletes who are part of the Derbyshire Talented Athlete Fund and choose to study at the university.
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Family meals lower obesity in children FAMILY meals, adequate sleep and limited TV may all be factors in tackling childhood obesity. A new study has found that young children who regularly eat dinner with their parents, get enough sleep or have their TV viewing limited have a much lower risk of becoming overweight. The research, which looked at a large sample of the US population, also found that four year olds living in homes with all three routines had an almost 40 per cent lower prevalence of obesity than children from homes where none of the three were practiced. After studying the results the researchers have suggested that adopting the three routines could be an effective obesity prevention strategy for all families with young children – especially as it may also benefit their overall development. Sarah Anderson, lead author, said: “These routines were protective even among groups that typically have a high risk for obesity. “This is important because it suggests that there is a potential for these routines to be useful targets for obesity prevention in all children.”
The researchers looked at whether the children ate the evening meal as a family more than five times per week; obtained at least ten and a half hours of sleep per night; and watched less than two hours per day of TV on weekdays. Among four-year-old children whose households practiced all three routines, the prevalence of obesity was 14.3 per cent. In contrast, almost one in four of the children (24.5 per cent) living in households without any of the routines were obese. The study also suggested that in households practicing none of these routines, adopting just one could lower a child's risk of becoming obese, and having two or three of the routines was more protective than just one. Sarah added: “I imagine people are going to want to know which of the routines is most important – limited TV, dinner or adequate sleep? “And what this suggests is that you can’t point to any one of these routines. Each one appears to be associated with a lower risk of obesity and having more of these routines appears to lower the risk further.”
Jonathan Edwards presents an award at the Sports Colleges Conference
Call to bring 2012 inspiration into class SCHOOLS should be doing more to bring the inspiration of the 2012 Olympics into the classroom according to gold medallist Jonathan Edwards. The champion athlete and LOCOG board member appeared at this year’s Sports Colleges Conference to talk about his career and how the Get Set programme can work for young people. Jonathan said: “If I hadn’t gone to a school that valued sport then I wouldn’t be who I am today. “It is all about the opportunities that schools provide and I remember the Games being an inspiration to me. “It is about more than just the sport
– it is the magic that you don’t get at any other sporting event.” He advised teachers to think about the Games less as a sporting competition and more as a values movement, and to use the opportunity to talk to pupils about what 2012 stands for that is important in life – discipline, commitment and teamwork. Jonathan added: “Of course we want to put on a fantastic event for the Olympics, but it has to be about more than that. It has to make a difference and inspire young people and if we are going to get it right, we have to get it right in schools. “It is important to take the Games into the classroom and this is what the Get Set programme aims to do.”
14&15 Powerhouse DPS
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Studios ready to train teachers in all that jazz! LONDON dance studios Pineapple is planning a new schools’ initiative which will see the organisation train up teachers to take jazz and hip hop classes. The outreach programme – which is aimed at improving the fitness levels of children – would see existing Pineapple teachers train other teachers in the dance forms, with the organisation’s staff then making ‘guest visits’ to schools involved. The decision has been made to focus on jazz and hip hop-style classes as a way of making the scheme different from other existing school dancing initiatives, such as one launched last year by Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from Strictly Come Dancing, which has an emphasis on ballroom and has created a huge growth in interest in that dance style up and down the country. However, for jazz and hip hop, it is hoped that even if schools do not have a gym or play area available, then just moving classroom desks will give pupils enough room for a basic group class – making the fun fitness sessions available to all.
Plan to put sport at heart of Welsh culture By Louise Cordell PROFESSOR Laura McAllister has unveiled her ambitions as the new Chair of the Sports Council for Wales. The former Welsh football international stepped into the job at the beginning of February and has spoken out about the changes she wants to make. She plans to champion sport and put it at the heart of Welsh culture and get all children in Wales hooked on sport for life. She said: “The Sports Council’s young people agenda is crucial - we know that experiences at a young age are decisive when it comes to leading an active lifestyle into adulthood. “Education has a vital role to play and the role of the teacher is paramount. “Our PE and School Sport scheme is training teachers to deliver quality lessons. “This means we’re making sure that the experiences of children are much more positive than they may have been 10 or 20 years ago. “But we still need to see further com-
mitment to teacher training and to the teaching of PE.” Professor McAllister also wants to identify untapped sporting talent by encouraging more people to help out their local community teams and by investing and training more coaches. Finally she wants to improve Wales’ reputation as a ‘world-beater’, by ensuring that elite athletes and teams that are capable of world class success get the best support possible. She said: “You only have to walk around the park on a Saturday to see how much sport is part of the Welsh psyche. “Often though, we don’t always appreciate sport’s wider contribution how sport can foster national pride and a feel good factor or bring about social cohesion to communities, for example. “We all love to see top sportsmen and women succeed. I’d like to see Wales continue to do well and become the number one nation in the Commonwealth on a per capita basis. “It would be a huge achievement but it’s important that we strive to beat the Laura McAllister best and be the best.”
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Focus on fun gets teens active By Louise Cordell EMPHASISING the emotional benefits of exercise is more effective at getting teens active than promoting the health benefits, according to new research. The new study, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, was carried out by Reema Sirriyeh and colleagues from the University of Leeds. Reema said: “There is evidence that people who believe that physical activity is enjoyable and fun are more likely to engage in sport and exercise. We investigated whether highlighting the emotional benefits of sport and exercise to young people increased their levels of physical activity, more than highlighting the physical health benefits.” 128 participants aged 16 to 19 took part in the study – all recruited from
the sixth forms of four schools in West Yorkshire. The teenagers all received a daily text message at 4pm for a period of two weeks. Some teens messages that highlighted the emotional benefits of exercise – such as 'Physical activity can make you feel cheerful. What activity will you do today?', a second group received texts that highlighted the physical benefits, such as – 'Physical activity can keep your heart healthy. What activity will you do today?' and a further group received text messages that were a combination of the two. The participants then recorded their levels of physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which measured the time they spent on of moderate and vigorous exercise. The results showed that the physi-
cal activity levels of all the participants increased after the two week study by an average of 31.5 minutes of moderate activity a week. However, the largest increase was seen in the teens who received the messages emphasising the emotional benefits of exercise – a rise of 120 minutes. Reema added: “Statistics from the British Heart Foundation show that from the age of 16, girls' levels of physical activity begin to decrease. “As patterns of behaviour that start in the teenage years tend to persist into adulthood, it's vitally important that teenagers get into healthy patterns, like taking regular exercise. “Our study shows that for inactive teenagers, emphasising the emotional benefits of exercise may be a more effective way to encourage exercise than highlighting traditional health benefits.”
Companies have same goal after teaming up SPORTS Leaders UK has joined forces with youth awarding body the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network. Young people who have completed a Sports Leaders UK award or qualifi-
cation will now be entitled to three credits towards their ASDAN qualification. Dave Savidge, Sports Leaders UK foundation regional manager, said: “There is great synergy between the two companies. Ultimately we
both have the same goal which is to change lives and help people develop essential life skills. We are really pleased we have been able to create this partnership and feel great things can come as a result to both companies.”
Disability sport could boost citizenship skills in schools PARALYMPIC and disability sport could be used in schools to develop citizenship skills, according to former paralympic athlete Martin Mansell. Speaking at the Sports Colleges Conference in Telford, Martin said that schools should take the opportunity to include disability sports into PE lessons as well as integrating education about the paralympics into other subjects such as geography, where pupils could learn, for example, about some of the countries taking part. Martin – who is involved in the ability vs. ability programme which raises awareness of paralympic sports and provides information packs for teachers – told delegates that the programme could be a useful resource for all schools to use in their lessons. He said: “The programme puts to rest the myth about Paralympics GB and education. If you are a mainstream school who has no kids with disabilities, it is still important. It is about raising the profile of the paralympic movement and removing discrimination.” He also said schools could raise awareness of the paralympic movement amongst pupils by attending events such as the annual paralympic world cup, which offers schools free tickets to attend.
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Industry expert issues divided schools warning By Louise Cordell
Pupils at last year’s careers fayre
College careers fayre rolls out sports opportunities A SPECIALIST Sports College in Enfield is holding a careers fayre to show pupils the range of job opportunities in the sporting world. Lea Valley High School is putting on the event as part of the annual Leadership Academy, organised by the area’s two School Sport Partnerships, Enfield and Lea Valley. Sports leaders, along with A Level PE, GCSE PE and BTEC Sport students, from schools around the borough have been invited to speak to representatives from a wide range of sports and fitness organiations at the event. Companies set to attend the fayre include: universities offering sports related courses, ProActive North London, Enfield Sports Development, the Royal Marines, Tottenham Hotspur, Saracens Foundation, sports magazine Everyone’s A Winner, Health and Recovery company
Optima Life and several sports coaching companies. The area is also a host borough for the Olympic Games so pupils will be given the chance to find out about volunteering and employment opportunities for 2012. Tim Perkins, Lea Valley High School PDM, said: “Some pupils think that if they want to be involved in sports as a career then there are only two options for them – PE teacher or professional sportsperson – so we want to show them what alternatives are out there. “For example, letting them know about the higher education options available and what careers they can progress to from there. “We also try to make the whole experience as interactive as possible and give the kids a chance to try a range of different things and consider possibilities they hadn’t thought of before.”
SCHOOLS need to prove that collaboration works, or risk being forced into damaging competition, according to industry expert Maggie Farrar. Speaking at the Sports Colleges Conference, the strategic director for policy, research and development at the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children Services voiced her concerns about the effect a change in government might have on the education industry. She said: “A new government will mean the system becoming even more diverse and if we aren’t to lose our collaborative edge, we need to show that it results in better and more sustainable outcomes. “Otherwise we could end up with divided and competing schools – and this will impact most on the most disadvantaged children.” Maggie believes that the best way to address this issue is for schools to promote good leadership through partnership and influence, rather than taking a management approach. She pointed out that there needs to be the right type of networking and support, together with the constant giving and receiving of feedback and that staff should constantly be challenged with new roles, allowing them to watch others at work and lead in
new contexts. Maggie added: “We need to get people following us through choice, so our values, ethics and integrity need to shine out – it is not what we say, but what we do that is important. “This type of leadership matters, because leadership is second only to the quality of teaching when looking at student outcomes. “It also matters most in times of challenge and change – that is when people look to leaders and that is what we are facing now.” She cited recent research which has shown that the biggest influences on successful headteachers are faith, philosophy and inspiring role models. It also revealed that young teachers much prefer to learn on the job rather than on courses, and that they would rather be given advice from professionals and their peers than industry trainers. She added: “It is important that we build a nation of schools supporting schools, and schools supporting leaders. We are not just responsible for the children in our own classrooms it is about every child in the system. “The gap between children who achieve and those who don’t is very wide. We need to think about how we can use our resources wisely and well to make sure that we have high quality leaders for the future.”
Bid to shed elitist image PRIMARY school pupils in west London are being given free polo lessons as part of their PE curriculum in a bid to shed the sport’s elitist image. Groups of 11 year olds are learning to play each fortnight at Hurlingham Park in Fulham with tutors including players such as Jack Kidd. The scheme has been organised
in the run up to the World Polo Series which is due to take place at the park in June and at that event, the best pupils will be given the chance to show off their skills in front of a 30,000-strong crowd. The children come from schools in Hammersmith and Fulham and the initiative is being backed by the area’s council.
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news 19 The gym chain Fitness First is now offering its Strictly Fit group exercise class to 11 to 18 year olds as part of the government’s new ‘Let’s Dance with Change4Life’ campaign. Britain’s Got Talent winners, dance group Diversity, are fronting the scheme which aims to get more young people active through the power of dance. The classes use a combination of dance routines with moves from the quickstep, salsa and jive to create a low impact aerobic workout. Derek Crawford, Fitness First UK national fitness mananger, said: “This campaign is a great way to make dance available to young people and Diversity are a great inspiration. “Our classes are based on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing don’t require any previous dancing experience, just the enthusiasm to get active and have a great time.”
A world-class PE and school sport system needs investment says YST By Louise Cordell SCHOOL sport will only be able to drive a lasting Olympic legacy with sustained investment up to and beyond 2012, according to a leading charity. The Youth Sport Trust has called for financial support to be made available to deliver a world class PE and sport school system that can capture the enthusiasm of young people in the lead up to the Games. Steve Grainger, YST chief executive, said: “We set out 15 years ago to create a world leading PE and sport system that reached and resonated with all young people. “Since then there has undoubtedly been a significant transformation more young people are participating, leading and performing in school
sport than at any point in our history. “However, whilst it is important to recognise and celebrate progress, there needs to be sustained investment up to and beyond 2012 to help embed sport at the heart of school life if we are to reach every young person and ensure they experience the very best that PE and school sport has to offer.” In a new manifesto, ‘Positioning Sport at the Heart of School Life’, the organisation has listed a number of key building blocks which make up its vision for the future. They include: More schools thinking creatively about how they structure, stage and present competitions so that every young person can enjoy the experience while more support is given to the most talented.
Greater investment in initial teacher training to enable primary school teachers to teach high-quality PE to improve the experience for every young person. The development of junior sports clubs on school sites to increase the number of young people progressing from school to club sport. Denise Lewis, Olympic gold medallist and school sport ambassador, said: “School sport is at the heart of the 2012 legacy and there is still much to do to engage every young person. “As an Olympic gold medallist and mum of three, I want school sport to be appealing to all children – not just the talented few. “By achieving this, we will have delivered a true Olympic legacy.”
Local teams help World Cup build-up TO celebrate 100 days to the World Cup, the Quick Play Sport Team has been teaming up with local football teams to get kids active. The company has now set up a partnership with Sheffield and Hallam Football Association that aims to support grass roots football and the community. As part of the scheme, Quick Play Sport are providing the Association with a percentage of the profits from every one of their goals sold in the area – this money is then re-invested into the grass roots game. Sheffield and Hallam Football Association is the governing body for football for Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and the wider region – it is involved with 120,000 people every week in the grass roots football community.
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A basketball club in Northumberland is helping young people across the county develop a love of sport. Future Fitness found out more.
Basketball coaches say team games bring pupils on leaps and bounds By Louise Cordell THE coaches at Aspire 2 Achieve believe that getting involved in team games is one of the best ways to boost confidence and self esteem. They work with young people from the age of five upwards, providing opportunities for them to get involved in sport, improve their performance and take part in competitions. The organisation’s basketball club, the Northumberland Knightflyers, currently has over 40 members and trains weekly at Coquet High School in Amble. Alan Hoyle, head coach, said: “Our aim is to build self confidence, concentration and self esteem in young people through sporting activities, regardless of their background or abilities. “The training programme helps to increase morale and participation while focussing on fun, and we do this by focussing on improving self esteem rather than just concentrating on sporting ability.” At the end of last year Alan and the club’s junior head coach, Isobelle Gibson, were two of only 50 coaches in the world to receive training from the world champion Chicago Bulls while the team was taking part in NBA Europe.
The club also provides opportunities for young people to get more involved with the project themselves by becoming trained coaches, helping them to give something back to their peers and the community. The club’s school programme is available to all the schools in the country as well as local colleges. Alan added: “All the PE teachers we have worked with have given us really positive feedback and seem to really enjoy getting involved. “We have also found that the game is great for engaging pupils who are not so keen on more traditional sports. “We have quite a few members who say that they didn’t like PE at school, and to start with they were really nervous about taking part, but now they love it. “Our aim is to use sport as a way of promoting and building self belief – and once they have that confidence then they come on in leaps and bounds.” Alan is now getting ready to stage the first basketball tournament for a group of schools in the area. Pupils in each school’s team are being given six weeks of coaching in the lead up to the competition before they all play a series of games to find the champion.
If the event is successful then the aim is to set up a county-wide league to make contests like this a regular feature. The Northumberland Knightflyers will also be running their basketball activities for the
Nestle Go Free scheme as part of their summer programme. Local kids will be able to collect vouchers in the run up to the holidays and then turn up at Coquet High School to take part in free sessions.
Great response to Knightflyers first session THE Northumberland Knightflyers are doing their bit to make sure that every child in the county has access to sport and activity. The Aspire 2 Achieve club has recently held its first session with the Blyth Disabled Forum, where young people aged from 12 to 16 with various disabilities took part in basketball coaching. It was such a success that more sessions have already been booked in, and head coach Alan Hoyle is now looking at setting up three new teams for the kids to join. He said: “We had a great response to the first session and we are now looking forward to extending this side of the programme. “Basketball is a great game for any young people with disabilities to play as the game can be tweaked in many different ways to suit everyone’s individual needs. More importantly, it is so fast paced and enjoyable that everyone involved has fun – it really captures everyone’s imagination.”
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Sport facility designs must be a priority By Louise Cordell SCHOOLS that are undergoing rebuilds or refits need to make sure that the sport facility designs are a priority according to industry expert Dr Colin Young. He passed on advice to teachers and PDMs at the Sports Colleges conference, explaining how they can ensure the successful delivery of facilities that meet the needs of both the school and the local community. Dr Young, technical and training manager at the Sport and Play Construction Association, said: “Sports provisions tend to be left until the end when new schools are being designed, so making sure that it is high on the agenda is key. “Schools should draw up a list of requirements, being as specific as possible in order to get the best possible equipment.” He pointed out that one of the things schools should take into account is what different sports and, more importantly, what competition level, they will be catering for. Specifications and safety requirements for county level sport and community games are very different and this will need to be considered in the planning stages. It is also important to think about how the building designs can be implemented across the curriculum for example with the addition of a gym that also has the facilities to be
used for science experiments or by including land for growing organic food or woodland trim trails. Dr Young added: “Form should follow function. “Teaching staff should decide what outcomes they want to achieve and get contractors to cater to that. “They should also avoid the trap of just opting for newer versions of the equipment they already have. “Instead it is better to think outside the box and use the refit as an opportunity to introduce new things.” He advised teachers to visit other schools that had been through the rebuild process to see how they have handled different issues and recommends the use of a specialist sports consultant to make sure that the best quality is delivered.
Ludworth Primary in Durham City has become the first school in the area to try out curling at the Durham Winter Ice Rink. Year three pupils were able to try out the new activity as part of the school’s health and fitness week, and were given a lesson on the throwing technique before starting a game. More schools from the area will now be attending the rink to try out the Olympic sport over the next few months.
They will be able to advise on whether additional funding can be accessed, for example through bodies like Sport England, and to ensure that the right safety standards are adhered to. Dr Young added: “Schools are becoming the leisure centres of their community, but this means that many different factors need to be taken in account. “If it is done correctly, it can be very beneficial for pupils and local people, but there are responsibility and liability issues to be considered, so getting expert advice is key.”
Equipment performance tested throughout UK EASTSIDE Boxing and Martial Arts provides a range of equipment that has been performance tested throughout the UK. The range has been designed to meet the requirements of all abilities in boxing, MMA and fitness training and this year is being fully
launched by Wilkinson Sports and Leisure Ltd. The Eastside range is to be specifically targeted at boxing clubs, gyms, personal trainers, schools and individuals who are interested in performance and durability.
Pulse is working in partnership with Fit For Sport to promote the 'Fitter Schools UK Challenge', which aims to help encourage children to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle. The 2010 Fitter Schools UK Challenge is a free initiative open to every school and Local Authority across the UK. Chris Johnson, Pulse MD, said: “This exciting opportunity allows us to gain invaluable grass roots experience of the challenges facing schools and local authorities in encouraging the children and their parents to become more active.”
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A Bolton school has won an award for its ground-breaking work bringing sport to vulnerable young people, including refugees and former child soldiers. Future Fitness spoke to the director of specialism at Thornleigh Salesian College to find out more.
Work with the vulnerable wins award By Louise Cordell THORNLEIGH Salesian College in Bolton is now entering its second year of working with Starting Point, a centre for young international arrivals to the area. The children include asylum seekers, refugees, former child soldiers and EU migrants, with new young people entering, and others leaving to attend local schools every few weeks. Helen Grundy, assistant head and director of specialism at Thornleigh, said: “We are a very white, British, Catholic school and this project has had a phenomenal impact on our students. “Interacting with young people from the centre has really given them a wider understanding of life outside our closeted community. “Some of these children have had horrific life experiences and it is good for our pupils to do what they can to make them feel welcome and help them remember not to take things for granted.” The school has used its specialism to engage with the young people at Starting Point and invites them once a week to take part in activities led by year eleven sports leaders. The 25 children that attend each week come from up to 15 different countries and usually only two or three in each group will be able to speak any English, so there is a unique set of challenges. The school has now been recognised for its achievements, and was highly commended at the Sports Colleges Conference Innovation Awards for its work in the community. Helen added: “There are many different issues to take into
account – for example, sometimes the young people in the class are from different sides of war zones or clashing cultural issues, which mean they are not used to males and females being allowed to exercise together. “To address this we planned a very comprehensive programme with the aim of improving their physical literacy and social and communication skills. “We also invite them to our sporting events, for example reward days and fun runs that we have held, so they are becoming more and more a part of the community. “They will be going on into schools in the area, so the experience prepares them for that and gives them an idea of what they will be experiencing.”
Since the start of the project, staff at the Starting Point centre have reported a major impact in levels of confidence and improved behaviour. They are able to use the Thornleigh sports sessions as an incentive and a reward for the young people. The project is now developing further and Helen has plans to get some of the international arrivals trained as sports leaders themselves. The aim is that this will give them the confidence to lead sport in their own language in their own community groups and schools when the leave the centre. This is already being put into practice at Thornleigh, where five children from the centre were
admitted as pupils last Christmas. Helen added: “Sport is universal and it breaks down barriers between children, regardless of any language or cultural barriers. “The activities are simple, but the kids are enthusiastic about even the most basic equipment. “Parents of our pupils have said that the experience has really opened their children’s eyes, and I think the whole project has really brought home the power of sport to change lives. “We need to remember that these young people are in a strange country, often without their parents, and we should do what we can to make them welcome. It is a very unique project, but it has become an integral part of our school life.”
Educational posters provide advice
Primary pupils in Teddington have been taking part in a skipping challenge to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The event at St Mary’s and St Peter’s School was organised to promote skipping and increase playground activity for years one and two. Over 60 children took part in the lunchtime challenge, which was set up by the Motive8 group and led by young leaders from year five. Nearly £200 was collected for the BHF, who had provided the school with a resource pack including coaching resources and equipment.
EDUCATIONAL posters from Idass provide advice on how to perform a range of exercises correctly. The charts are drawn by graphics artist Matt Lambert with images showing the exercise or the stretch to be performed, alongside a few lines of script to explain the action. The resistance series each include ten exercises, with the muscle groups used on each exercise, an anatomy chart and a ‘personal trainers’ tip. This exercise tip helps to ensure correct procedure while the muscle section helps to educate the user. The gym ball charts each have nine
exercises and the stretch charts have a single larger image per exercise to allow for more detail of muscular skeletal anatomy.
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23 365 directory 23 Training & Qualifications Interactive Equipment/ Dance Mats YMCA FIT 111 Great Russell St London, WC1B 3NP T: 0207 343 1855 W: www.ymcafit.org.uk E: info@ymcafit.org.uk
Central YMCA Qualifications 111 Great Russell St London, WC1B 3NP T: 0207 343 1800 W: www.cyq.org.uk E: info@cyq.org.uk Jump Rope Uk Ltd 16 Riverside Park Wimborne Dorset, BH21 1QU tel: 01202 840590 fax: 01202 840577 jumpropes@ntjr.co.uk www.ntjr.co.uk National Extension College The Michael Young Centre Purbeck Road Cambridge, CB2 8HN T: 0800 389 2839 W: www.nec.ac.uk E: info@nec.ac.uk
Sports Facility Development
Pulse Dance Machine The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com Cyber Coach Unit 1a Britannia Business Park Union Rd The Valley Bolton BL2 2HP T: 0845 869 2848 W: www.cyber-coach.co.uk E: info@cyber-coach.co.uk
Fitness Equipment Pulse Fitness The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com
SportsArt Fitness Sports Solutions GB 2 Dean Court Suite One Unit 10 Shuttleworth Mead Bus Park Copse Farm Padiham South Marston Park Lancs Swindon, SN3 4UQ BB12 7NG T: 01793 833456 T: 01282 779234 W: www.sportssolutionsgb.co.uk E: chris.bevan@sports-solutionsgb.co.uk W: www.sportsartfitness.com E: mark.turner@sportsartfitness.com
Training Equipment Crazy Catch Wall Tree House Farm Steane Brackley, NN13 5NS T: 01295 816765 W: www.flicx.com E: ricx@flicx.com
Mark Harrod Unit 1 Tilla Court Beccles Business Park Worlingham NR34 7BF T: 01502 476882 W: www.markharrod.com
Hexa Sports Ltd New Bond Street Birmingham B9 4EJ tel: 0121 7720724 sales@hexasports.co.uk www.hexasports.co.uk
British Colleges Sport 2/3 North Street Workshops North St Stoke-Sub-Hamdon Somerset TA14 6QR T: 01935 823444 W: www.britishcollegessport.org E: kate.paul@britishcollegessport.org
Design & Build
Climbing Walls
Pulse Select The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com
Football Facility Build Goals Soccer Centres plc Orbital House Peel Park East Kilbride G74 5PR T: 01355 234800 W: www.goalsfootball.co.uk E: keithm@goalsfootball.co.uk Pulse Soccer Centres The Bromley Centre Bromley Rd Congleton Cheshire CW12 1PT T: 01260 294600 W: www.pulsefitness.com E: info@pulsefitness.com
Freedom Climber Cherry Cottage Guildford Rd Cranleigh Surrey GU6 8LS T: 07554 016220 W: www.revolutionaryproducts.co.uk E: andrew@revolutionary-products.co.uk Entre Prises Eden Works Colne Rd Kelbrook Lancs BB18 6SH T: 01282 444800 W: www.ep-uk.com E: info@ep-uk.
Audio Equipment
Professional Associations Association for Physical Education Building 25 London Road Reading Berkshire RG1 5AQ T: 0118 378 2440 W: www.afpe.org.uk E: enquiries@afpe.org.uk
Sound Dynamics 51 Bridge St Belper Derbyshire DE56 1AY T: 01773 828486 F: 01773 828475 W: www.sound-dynamics.co.uk E: support@sound-dynamics.co.uk
Sports Clothing Kitking 9, Upper George Street Leicester, LE1 3LP 0116 262 7332 E: sales@kitking.co.ukst rskitking@aol.com
If you would like to advertise in this directory please contact James on 01226 734 672
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