Pupils game to take up sporting challenge (From The Bolton News)

Pupils game to take up sporting challenge

9:54am Tuesday 12th January 2010 in

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YOUNG sports ambassadors in Bolton are encouraging schoolchildren to become active and jump at the chance to answer the Government’s call to do five hours of sport a week.

Ninety per cent of the borough’s youngsters are already taking part in sporting activities for two hours a week.

And according to sports teachers, the young champions of sport, together with the pull of London 2012, will inspire children in the borough to take up the Government’s five hours of sport a week challenge — inside and outside of school.

So far young keen sportsmen and women at St Joseph’s RC High School in Horwich have led PE lessons with children in other years and have worked with primary schoolchildren and youngsters in their own community.

And they have found that there is a sport for everyone.

The pupils, whose role it is to champion sport in Bolton, play an important part in introducing new PE activities into the curriculum.

Bolton’s sports partnership development manager, Anthony Turner, who is based at St Joseph’s, said: “We use these pupils as a sounding board when we are looking at introducing new activities.

“Yoga is something we are thinking about and are discussing this with them. We get very good feedback.”

He added: “With the Olympics and the help of these young people there is no reason why we cannot encourage as many young people in Bolton to take part in five hours of sports a week. The Commonwealth Games in Manchester and future sporting events like the Olympics have a big impact.”

Bethany Gilbert, aged 15, said: “We promote and introduce different activities to young people and show that they are fun.

“I introduced my brother to football and now he is a member of a club.

“Taking part in activities is important because it keeps you fit and healthy. Sports improve confidence and motivation.”

Jonathan Eckersley, aged 15, said: “By putting on different activities, we are encouraging young people to take part in sporting activities when they might not otherwise have done.” Saran McDonald, aged 16, added: “We are looking to start a girls’ basketball team and rugby team.” Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Ben Bradshaw said: “School sport in this country has never been in better shape.

“Record numbers of pupils are playing sport. Competitive sport is on the rise, and we have a wealth of state-of-the-art sports facilities.

“Our challenge now is to make the dream of five hours of sport for every child every week a reality.

“With the help of the dedicated sports professionals working on the ground, we are poised to take school sport to new heights.

“London 2012 gives us an opportunity to inspire the next generation to take up sport for life, and we are grabbing it with both hands.”

SPORTING CHANCE: Commonwealth gold medal winner and Olympic gymnast Craig Heap, left, visited St Joseph’s RC High School, Horwich, to coach them through team challenges via Sky Sport Living for Sport initiative and Youth Sport Trust. Front, Amy Walker, aged 15, helps her team, pictured back, left to right, Mary-Kate Lockwood, Erin Ludden and Grace Hampshire across the obstacle course