Thousands of children across Stoke-on-Trent will be enjoying a whole range of sporting activities this week when they take part in the Lloyds TSB National School Sports Week.
Each high school in North Stoke has nominated National School Sports Week leaders to champion the activities taking place in their school, to promote all schools in the area to deliver the national target of a five hour offer of PE and sport for all youngsters and to embrace the seven Olympic/Paralympic values of inspiration, equality, excellence, friendship, determination, respect and courage. School children will also be encouraged to make a sports pledge such as doing more exercise in the week or getting involved in a new sport.
One of the highlights of the week will be the TOP Link Sport Festival at Northwood Stadium on Wednesday June 30th, when 350 primary school children will be coached in 16 different sports by 70 high school sports leaders. The sports include; cricket, gymnastics, football, volleyball, dodge ball and badminton. The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Cllr. Denver Tolley, will be one of the VIP’s along with former international gymnast Craig Heap and local athlete Alex Nelson who will both be involved with the National School Sport Week programme of events.
As well as the Northwood festival, schools are hosting a number of events in their own schools from cycling and rowing to an agility festival delivered by sports leaders for infant school children. A full list of events is available from the contacts below.
Cllr. Hazel Lyth, cabinet member for adult social care, sport, leisure and culture said:” As we look forward to the 2012 Olympics, this is a terrific showcase of how our young people are embracing a variety of sports. There really is something for everyone here, and the programme is aimed at being inclusive for children of all abilities.”
Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, Cllr. Debra Gratton, said:” This is a fantastic opportunity for our young people to try their hand at all sorts of different sports and it helps to raise the profile of sport in schools, which is a key element of any child’s development. Getting involved in events like this gives young people a chance to develop their sporting skills, which in turn helps with general confidence and self-esteem.”
Events start on Monday June 28th and finish on Friday July 2nd.