Dame Kelly Holmes - The Official Website

• NSSC Home
• NSSC Diary
• NSSC News
• GirlsActive
• FunZone

National School Sport Champion

National School Sport Week Day 5

Friday 4th July

Today I visited 3 locations in the North West and Yorkshire.

First visit of the day: Park High Specialist Sports College - their project which also involves Foxfield School is ‘Breaking the Barriers: Festival of Sport’. No barriers to achieving in sport – providing opportunities for all young people to enjoy and achieve in sport and to break down the barriers so that young people can come together regardless of ability or disability to experience success.

I arrived at the school at 10am to a welcoming party of young people and school leaders and was taken on a tour of the Sports Festival. First I played with some of the young people from Foxfield School, a special school for children with severe learning difficulties.

They had a huge parachute that teaches them communication skills, colours to have fun and keep smiling. Then it was off to New Age Curling, Rock Climbing, Dance and Boccia. I saw loads of activities taking place and of course I joined in…

I then met with the ‘Adventure under Sail’ team who had an amazing trip away sailing and they presented me with a plaque.

After that the last stop was to see some really talented trampolinists showing us their routines that they will be doing at the National trials tomorrow. So good luck to them!

It finished with a few words from me and I was presented with lovely flowers.

Next stop Huddersfield!

Second visit of the day:
The Sports Barn - Pennine School Sport Partnership Year 4 Sports Week involving the schools Hade Edge Junior, Hepworth Junior, Hinchliffe Mill Junior, Holme Junior, Holmfirth Junior, Netherthong Junior, Scholes Junior, Upperthong Junior, Wooldale Junior, Lydgate Junior, Brockholes Junior, Meltham Moor Junior, Helme Junior and Young Leaders from Greenhead and New College.

I arrived at 12.15, was greeted by the schools and a welcoming party of young ambassadors. I could see lots of young people having fun outside on the athletics track as we landed but was soon taken inside where one group was doing a questionnaire about being active.

I got to know more about their programme and theme for The National School Sport Week – ‘Mission Active Kirklees’, year 4 multi skills & multi sport activities and competitions with an emphasis on health and getting fit for 2012.

The aim is for the children from different schools to mix together in friendly competition and activity, getting to know and learning how to work with new people. The focus is on fitness, improving skills and confidence through mini competitions, to help the kids develop so that they can lead fulfilled healthy and happy futures.

There were lots of activities arranged for them in a large sports hall, different ones like rocket ball and multi skills sessions. Outside I joined in a leg of the Olympic torch relay run around the track. I had loads of photos taken and spoke to the young volunteers before speaking to all the schools. Again like all the others everyone was so enthusiastic it was amazing again to see.

I left by helicopter with everyone waving to my last location – York!

My last and final visit was to York. It was intended to be a visit to the Norwich Union Headquarters to meet staff there as they are the sponsors of the National School Sport Week, my role as National School Sport Champion and my mentoring initiative ‘On camp with Kelly’.

I landed at York Race Course and came across a PE lesson taking place. The kids were playing rounder’s and multi skills, it was quite funny seeing their faces when they realised who I was getting out of the helicopter.

After talking with them about what I was doing, I ended up having a go at batting in the rounders, I then took on some of their young athletes in a running race. It was fun having an impromptu visit and it made me think I should maybe do this next year: just turn up at schools out of the blue!

After giving out more autographs, I headed for the Norwich Union offices with Tanya Veingard, Norwich Union Head of Sponsorship. I went there to meet with the staff and tell them about my week; I signed some more autograph cards including an enormous Great Britain vest which will be displayed at Crystal Palace London Grand Prix, the last event before the Athletics team head for Beijing.

I even managed to gatecrash a leaving party for a director so I gave him one of my autobiography Black, White and Gold!

At the end of a very long week it was time to go home, I have met thousands of young people, teachers, helpers and parents. I have flown and driven thousands of miles, signed thousands of autograph cards, all to Celebrate, Profile and Launch everything to do with PE and School Sport.

When I came up with the idea last year I am not sure I knew what it could look like but seeing this week has showed me it was the best thing to do and that it has really taken off.

To see all those young people smiling, trying new activities, enjoying themselves and learning about sport makes me proud to be in my role. Everyone involved has done a great job, so WELL DONE and THANK YOU.

It is now time for me to go and crash for the night.
Take Care and I will be back again soon,
Love Kelly x

Click here for the gallery album with loads of photos from the week

Click here to read my National School Sport Week Day 1 report with pictures

Click here to read my National School Sport Week Day 2 report with pictures

Click here to read my National School Sport Week Day 3 report with pictures

Click here to read my National School Sport Week Day 4 report with pictures

Click here for more info on The National School Sport Week and video