Richard Dando
Senior Officer at Sport Wales
Richard talks through the highlights of the recent week of activity in Wales.
The 2011 Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week has come and gone with over 4 million young people across the UK trying to achieve a Personal Best in a variety of Olympic and Paralympic themed activities. The week uses the excitement of the London 2012 Games to inspire young people to do more sport.
With a chance to win an official Torch Bearer place at next year’s Torch Relay the Sport Development network across Wales has rallied round their local primary and secondary schools to drive registrations. In total 560 schools across Wales (391 primary, 152 secondary and 15 classed as both) registered to take part in NSSW which is an increase of 190 schools on 2010. When schools registered they were asked to input how many pupils would be taking part in their NSSW activities and the total figure across Wales is 169,805, up nearly 50,000 on 2010! This is an amazing achievement by all involved and by exposing this many young people to sport we stand a better chance of getting more of them hooked on sport for life.
Events and activities for NSSW have happened up and down the country and many young people have achieved personal bests. Sport Wales are currently working with partners to capture some of the good news stories across Wales but here’s a little taster:
· At Prestatyn High School pupils achieved personal bests in a one mile Olympic run or walk and a series of Olympic challenges, including designing their own Olympic mascots. The school’s Young Ambassadors were heavily involved in organising the event.
· At Ysgol Glan Y Mor local primary school children had a chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings by taking part in a variety of Olympic sports like hockey, table tennis, badminton, basketball, archery ad cycling. The day was supported by the PE department, 5x60 Officer and by local clubs and coaches
· To round off the week a high profile event featuring Olympian Jason Gardener, the Olympic mascot Wenlock and the Olympic Torch took place at Llanishen High School in Cardiff. Around 300 primary school children took part in a transition event and aimed for personal bests in a variety of activities including boccia, indoor rowing, long jump, football and netball.
Schools who took part in the 2011 Lloyds TSB NSSW will be waiting to find out whether they have won tickets to the Games or official Torch Bearer places so good luck to them. Schools that took part in NSSW can also use it as evidence towards joining the Get Set Network where they can access even more prizes and opportunities to inspire young people through London 2012.
However, no sooner has the 2011 week finished than planning for 2012 NSSW has begun! In 2012 NSSW will take place Monday June 25th to Friday June 29th and with registration opening for school in September 2011, they have plenty of time to start planning how they will host their own mini Olympic event.
For more on the events highlighted above visit http://www.sportwales.org.uk/.
