National School Sport Week at Home: LIVE 26/06
Welcome to the Youth Sport Trust's live blog. School sports days would usually be happening up and down the country this summer. But thanks to a need for social distancing, school closures and lockdown measures in light of Covid-19, young people are missing their friends and missing the sense of connection they get from enjoying sport and play.
In response to this we have launched National School Sport Week at Home with Sky Sports. Here, we are rounding up the best stories of the week that would usually take place in school and sharing activity from schools, families and partners in one place to keep you updated on the celebrations happening across the country.
Friday 26 June
On the final day of National School Sport Week at Home, The Wimbledon Foundation, the charitable arm of The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and The Championships, has proudly launched Set For Success, a new Youth Leadership through Sport initiative.
Run in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, the two-year programme will provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds around the UK with the opportunity to develop valuable life and leadership skills through mentoring sessions delivered by inspirational athletes who now go into schools and act as mentors.
Watch the new film here.
Thursday 25 June
On Day 6 of National School Sport Week at Home, we are paying homage to all the NGBs, School Sport Champions, Ambassadors and sporting stars who are showing their support for PE, school sport and children's wellbeing.
Today sporting stars Mo Farah and our ambassador Hannah Cockroft led calls to protect the Primary PE and Sport Premium, backing an open letter urging Government to confirm funding for the new academic year, as pubished by the Daily Telegraph.
The letter consists of more than 100 signatories, and growing, formed of inspirational athlete mentors and sporting greats. The network is being vocal on social media using the hashtag #dontcutPE.
Bupa Group Chief Medical Officer and Youth Sport Trust Trustee, Dr. Paula Franklin, has also shown support of the week in a new blog.
Wednesday 24 June
On day 5 of National School Sport Week at Home, our CEO Ali Oliver joins the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sport to discuss the future of PE & school sport. Our research with YouGov found 40% of young people had felt worse due to missing out on sport and PE during lockdown:
Sport and Physical Education help young people to connect, improve confidence and enhance wellbeing. After months of lockdown and missing friends, young people have never needed this more.
Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, Nigel Huddleston accepted Ali's challenge to get involved in National School Sport Week at Home. He tried some tap up tennis in his garden. He may have been beaten by his daughter who achieved 142 bounces on the racket in 60 seconds, but it made for some good family rivalry.
In the news:
Marvin Ambrosius talks about taking part in the week with his daughter on Sky Sports.
Tuesday 23 June
As we begin day four of National School Sport Week at Home we are celebrating how families are engaging and connecting through sport. Danielle Hindmarsh is a single mum of five living in Hartlepool. Darcie (11), Theo (9), Koban (8), Ronnie (6) and Ariya (2) all live with their mum. Because of an underlying health difficulty within the family unit, the whole family has had to shield throughout the lockdown period, meaning that they haven’t been able to leave their home since mid-March. This has resulted in play and physical activity being even more important for the family’s physical health and mental wellbeing than normal. They have been using the National School Sport Week at Home resources supported by their school, Clavering Primary to try nutty squirrels, speed bounce in fancy dress and enjoying moving more as a family.
In the news:
The Daily Telegraph continues to campaign for confirmation on the Primary PE and Sport Premium on National School Sport Week at Home. Read the latest story here.
Dr Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow, and Edward Timpson, MP for Eddisbury, championed the importance of school sport and funding in the Commons yesterday. It is absolutely essential that schools are given urgent clarity on the primary PE & Sport Premium for 20/21. Watch the clip here.
Monday 22 June
More than 6,000 people are signed up to take part and thanks to everyone sharing on social media how they are getting involved in the week #NSSWtogether trended at number 5 in the UK.
We heard how karate classes in Zambia on National School Sport Week at Home are helping young people to socialise, build confidence and understand the importance of PE for wellbeing. And we saw families and PE teachers taking on Dr Radha Modgil at the Speed Bounce Challenge. Students at Hyndburn Academy in Blackburn showcased their sock-put, speed bounce, and home made obstacle courses.
In the news:
We added our voice to The Daily Telegraph's campaign for the Primary PE and Sport Premium to be extended so all children can access a high quality Physical Education.
Sky Sports visited Theale Green School to see how they are celebrating National School Sport Week at home.
Published on 22 June 2020