Schools should sign up, says Olympic medallist

Two-times Olympic medallist, swimmer David Davies, explains why he thinks schools should sign up to the Get Set network:

 GET THE OLYMPICS BUZZ

I’ve had two amazing experiences of Olympic Games. I competed well, was successful and managing to bring home medals. The best thing for me was standing on the medal rostrum and realising that all the hard work had paid off and I’ve got something to show for it.

David Davies greets crowds in Wales after winning a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

It’s two weeks of everything you wanted to do and what you trained for.

If schools are able to tap into just 1% of the feeling that I had as I stood on that podium – then it’s all worth it.

Get Set – the official London 2012 education programme for schools, colleges and local authority education providers – gives schools the chance to get involved!

IT PUTS A FOCUS ON SPORT

Sport is a fantastic thing for young people to develop not only sporting aspirations but people skills as well. Sport definitely develops you as a person. Get Set can encourage kids to adopt healthy, active lifestyles and to do something with their lives.

 ROLE MODELS

I remember watching the 1992 Olympics. I wasn’t even watching the swimming, I saw Linford Christie win his 100m and Sally Gunnell win the 400m hurdles. And that – for me – was a massive deal. I thought , ‘I want to do sport.’ I wasn’t thinking of competing in an Olympics but it propelled me to want to give it a good go.

If kids are going to be watching it next year, role models will be built over night – especially as it’s a home Games. We’ll host fantastic sporting events on our doorstep and thousands and thousands of kids might want to give it a go. And even if they don’t make it to the Olympics, it can still develop you as a person – not just as a sportsperson.

ATHLETES MIGHT COME TO YOUR SCHOOL

The Get Set programme is providing opportunities to have visits from athletes and London 2012 mascots. I remember Ben Evans the rugby player coming to my school and I loved it! If you have children who don’t have sporty families or who don’t see much sport at home, this might be the only chance they get to see role models.

LEARN THE VALUES

Signing up to Get Set will mean that you find out more about the Olympic and Paralympic values (respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality).

Get Set is built around this and provides children with the chance to prove that they too can reflect the values in everyday life.

TICKETS

And, if you’re part of Get Set, you might even get a share of tickets for your school! If you’re going along, make sure you take lots of Welsh flags with you – it’s really motivating to see lots of home support in the stands!

Wales' Olympians arrive home in Wales

So if you’re a teacher, please, please think about signing your school up to the Network. If you’re a student or parent – ask if your school has signed up. If not, why not? There’s nothing to lose! Do it today here...

WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN NATIONAL SCHOOL SPORT WEEK

Richard Dando works for Sport Wales (and a part-time triathlete!) and in our latest blog he spells out the benefits of getting involved with National School Sport Week...

The Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week (NSSW), the UK’s largest celebration of school sport will be happening across the UK between June 27^th to July 1^st 2011 and schools still have the opportunity to sign up to take part in London 2012 inspired activities and be in with a chance of winning amazing prizes. 

The week uses the power and inspiration of London 2012 to get more young people taking part in and understanding the value of sport.  This year’s theme will be ‘Personal Best’ and young people will be invited to pledge to achieve a personal best in an Olympic and Paralympic sport individually, with their class or with their club, at every level and standard.

In 2010 14,000 schools and 5 million young people took part in NSSW across the UK.  In Wales, 176 primary and 83 secondary schools in Wales signed up in 2010 and took part in NSSW and - with London 2012 only five school terms away - we want to get more Welsh schools signed up in 2011. The deadline for registering is 17 June 2011 and nearly 400 schools have so far signed up across Wales.

This is another fantastic opportunity for schools and pupils to be inspired by London 2012 and to help get every child hooked on sport for life. For further information and details on how to register (registration in Welsh available) please visit www.schoolsportweek.org and look out for the bilingual update emails, resources and amazing prizes linked to London 2012. 

Schools that that register and take part in NSSW will be able to use this as evidence towards their London 2012 Get Set Network application and take advantage of further amazing London 2012 opportunities.

For the school, the week can:

·         raise the profile of sport among pupils, parents and colleagues

·         demonstrate your commitment to physical activity, sport and the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

·         engage pupils in your sport and health objectives

·         celebrate your school’s sporting achievements

·         encourage a whole school approach to celebrating London 2012

·         provide primary schools the chance to win tickets for the London 2012 Games

·         provide secondary schools the once in a lifetime chance to carry the Flame in the Olympic Torch Relay

For pupils, the week is an opportunity to:

·         do more physical activity and try new sports

·         take part in competitions and join a club

·         demonstrate and celebrate a personal best

·         develop social, teambuilding and leadership skills

·         build confidence that benefits overall academic performance in school

·         learn about and demonstrate the Values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

·         have fun!

For the local community, the week is an opportunity to:

·         help the local school win amazing prizes by getting parents and the local community  involved by pledging their support to their local school via a designated website

·         win tickets for the London 2012 Games when pledging support to the local school

·         raise the profile of sport within the community

·         encourage links between schools and community clubs

·         encourage parents to volunteer at their local school during NSSW and beyond

·         encourage local Lloyds TSB branch staff to volunteer at a local school during NSSW and beyond