Youth Sport Trust Launches National School Sports Week 2025 Powered by Sports Direct x Under Armour
National School Sports Week is back from 16th to 22nd June 2025, promoting the power of PE, sport and play in building brighter futures and happier, healthier young people across the UK. Celebrating 30 years of empowering young people through sport, national children’s charity, the Youth Sport Trust is leading this week-long initiative that will bring together schools, national governing bodies of sport, families and communities to encourage young people across the UK to get active at school.
Sports Direct returns to power the event for a third consecutive year, with Under Armour joining as a key brand partner to encourage schools nationwide to take part in the week of activities. By joining forces, we are working to elevate National School Sports Week to new heights, ensuring it reaches even more schools and young people.
Speaking on the importance of getting kids active, England international, Exeter Chiefs winger and Under Armour athlete, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, said, "Sports have always been a huge part of my life and I think getting kids involved is huge for their growth. It's not just about staying active—it's about learning how to push yourself, working as a team, and staying focused when things get tough. For me, sports gave me the confidence to believe in myself and taught me valuable skills I still use every day."
This year, the Youth Sport Trust is aiming to host the UK’s biggest-ever sports day, bringing together thousands of schools across the country on the week’s penultimate day to celebrate movement, sport, and the joy of being active.
Schools and families are encouraged to sign up here to be in with the chance of winning kit bags, Sports Direct vouchers, Athlete Mentor visits and more. Registrants will receive exclusive resources, daily movement challenges and webinar support to help schools deliver the most impactful sports week possible.
Active bodies, active minds: the Always Active advantage
As part of the Youth Sport Trust efforts to encourage the adoption of 60 minutes a day of PE, sport, and play for every child, this year’s event is championing an Always Active approach, encouraging schools to embed physical activity into every part of the school day. By doing this, we hope to improve children’s experiences and attitudes toward physical activity and sport while helping them to achieve the UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity each day, or 20 minutes for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
There are no strict rules for an Always Active approach; it simply enables children to engage in a range of activities, from small, simple movements to larger-scale sports day events. Some solutions may include:
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Incorporating movement into lesson plans by breaking up and gamifying classroom activities.
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A one-minute hopscotch break in the corridor for a restless child who has lost focus.
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Encouraging running and playing games during break times.
Evidence highlighted in the Youth Sport Trust PE and School Sport Report 2024 suggests regular physical activity can have a positive impact on academic performance and mental wellbeing. An Always Active school environment serves to ensures that movement becomes a natural, energising element of daily school life, boosting overall wellbeing, stimulating young minds for learning, and fostering a lifelong love for sport and play.
Nick Fox, Managing Director – IBML at Frasers Group said, “Sports Direct are excited to once again be involved with National School Sports Week and we look forward to seeing thousands of schools join the celebration. Our mission is to use the power of sport to champion the legend in everybody and this week the perfect opportunity for every school to do the same, celebrating the joy of movement and inspiring young people to stay active and engaged.”
Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust said, “National School Sports Week plays a vital role in our mission to ensure every child has access to sport and physical activity, as well as promoting the holistic benefits of PE, sport and play. With fewer than half of young people in the UK currently meeting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, it is imperative schools, families and organisations work together to tackle this current health crisis, and we are grateful to all partners involved for helping us make this year’s National School Sports Week even bigger and more impactful than ever. In particular, we are excited to see schools testing out an Always Active approach – incorporating movement throughout the day, in addition to the essential weekly curriculum PE lessons, and observing the positive impact we know it can have on student’s health, wellbeing, and academic performance.”
Registration for National School Sports Week 2025 is now open. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this nationwide celebration and help shape the future of physical education for young people across the UK. Find out more and sign up here.