The YST’s online After School Sport Club launched during the second lockdown to help fill the void of school and community sport in children’s lives.

Following its success in engaging more than 21,300 young people already, and the announcement of a third lockdown, the Youth Sport Trust has extended the online club until at least the end of March to ensure a generation do not lose vital multi sports skills. 

Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: 

As millions of young people across the country now move back to remote learning, the continuation of Physical Education and daily physical activity will be vital in supporting their wellbeing.  

We know that young people’s activity levels plummeted during the first lockdown, and this has contributed to some of the issues they are now facing – from mental health difficulties and low levels of physical fitness to developmental delays.   

Now with grassroots community sport again on pause, we need to be creative to find new ways of helping children and young people to stay active and have fun playing.  

We don’t want children to miss out because of Coronavirus and that is why we have come together with governing bodies of sport and called on sports stars, to launch one big, online sports club that children can access – wherever they are.

Following the lockdown three announcement, the charity will team up with 11 National Governing Bodies (NGB) of Sport including British Judo and England Netball so children can enjoy being led through a range of fun, exciting and challenging invasion games, dance, gymnastics and other sports which will help them to stay fit and healthy while also supporting their broader personal development.  

Running on a Tuesday and a Thursday, the ‘club’ sessions will be led by YST Athlete Mentors with NGB guest athletes from different backgrounds, abilities and sports including Paralympian Kate Grey. The first After School Sport Club of the New Year will start on Tuesday 12 January at 5pm and last for 30 minutes. It will then run at the same time every Tuesday and Thursday until March. 

Katy Ritchie, Director of Development at England Netball, said: 

We are delighted to be supporting the Youth Sport Trust After School Sport Club, Bee Netball is a great way for young people to be active and learn through netball and physical activity.  

We know many young people are missing Physical Education and school sport, it’s incredibly important to support wellbeing and these after school clubs are a great way to help this whilst at home.

Each week there will be a different sport focus, the Tuesday will introduce the basic theme and the Thursday will involve a sport specific session.  

Sessions will be broadcast live for children and young people through the Youth Sport Trust’s YouTube channel and access is free. Join in the conversation on social using #YSTAfterSchool and tagging @YouthSportTrust across all social media channels. 

For more information, please visit www.youthsporttrust.org/AfterSchoolSportClub