National School Sport Week Day 5
Friday 4th July
National School Sport Week Day 4
Thursday 3rd July
National School Sport Week Day 3
Wed 2nd July
National School Sport Week Day 2
Tuesday 1st July
National School Sport Week Day 1
Monday 30th June
The Annual Conference of the National Association of Head Teachers
2-4 May 2008
Update Oct-Nov 2007
05 December 2007
National School Sport Champion
National School Sport Week Day 2
Tuesday 1st July
I was very excited early this morning to board the ‘kellycopter’ in Nottingham to travel to the first of my second day of visits.
First stop: Whickham Sports College in Tyne and Wear – where there were 10 schools involved: Whickham School and Sports College, Front Street Primary, Fellside Primary, Parochial Primary, Washingwell Primary, Marley Hill Primary, Clover Hill Primary School, Swallwell Primary School, Cedars Special School and Sports College and Gibside Special School.
I landed next to the school at 9.30 to be welcomed by the school representative and straight away I was taken to watch games of rounders and softball, even having a bat.
I spoke with Young Leaders and some of the boys and girls playing. I then walked to the main school site where Boccia, a disability bowls game, was taking place on tennis courts… and I had a go!
I joined in the events at the Mini Festival of Sport and again took part in some of the games. I did manage to talk to loads of the young people taking part and it was really interesting as their theme for the week is ‘Leading the Way in Sport’ – Leadership through sport activities.
They are using the National School Sport Week as a platform from which a large number of young leaders can be responsible for the organisation. It presents them with further opportunities to develop their leadership skills and confidence which is something I really believe in.
I watched karate before it was time to say goodbye to go onto my next visit. The event was very well organised and I enjoyed the visit very much!
Now on to my second visit…
Second visit: The Parks Sports Centre for the ‘North Tyneside Festival of Sport 2008’ – The festival is centred around fun participation in sport activity with a strong theme of leadership volunteering.
There are loads of schools involved, and 600 year 4 pupils are participating with the help of 30 young volunteers aged 14-18.
I arrived at the Parks Sports Centre reception by car as there was not a suitable landing place for the helicopter for an introduction to the day by event organiser Jo Stewart and some young ambassadors.
They led me on a tour of the Indoor Sites where the sports taking place included Judo (which I love), Dance, Badminton Basketball and Disability Volleyball.
It was a great opportunity to meet some of the young people involved and the instructors who are all very keen for the young people to learn. I even got take part in the activities!
I did some media interviews which went ok and then it was outside to see some more fun – I joined in Hockey, Javelin and Triathlon but there were other activities like Tennis, Rugby League, Urban Surfing and other athletics events that unfortunately I didn’t get to try.
What was really good is that the National Governing Bodies were involved with the delivery of the sports which really made a big difference.
Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and again the sports leaders and young ambassadors did a fab job at ensuring it went smoothly.
I had time to meet and speak to a lot of the young leaders who have been involved in volunteering during the event and tell them that their contribution is much appreciated and a really positive step taken towards their own future.
Next stop: Grantham Meres Leisure Centre in Lincolnshire we are now back in the ‘kellycopter’ which is amazing as the weather has been beautiful.
Third visit: Grantham Meres Leisure Centre
where the South West Lincolnshire School Games are taking place this week.
There were 37 schools participating in the event with up to 800 pupils aged 7-9 and 60 Sport Ambassadors/Leaders involved who again are making a huge difference to the running of the event.
I arrived later than planned as the last school had so much for me to see it took slightly longer than anticipated plus the kellycopter journey took longer because of the wind, but when I arrived it was brilliant to look down over the stadium where the festival was taking place.
I was welcomed by Young Ambassador Debbie Foote and Partnership Development Manager Vincent Brittain. They both had worked extremely hard to make this event a success.
I was introduced to the participants and the crowd from the main stand, then Debbie took me around the sport zones where all the activities where taking place. I have to say she was great and totally in control of me and the event, in fact she was a real star (see pic of her with me and Vincent above).
The event had a big range of activities: fun, multi-skill activities provided by Step into Sport pupils from eight secondary schools and Grantham College.
Also local sports providers were supporting the day – PGL (Parents Get Lost Centres) with problem solving, Premier Sport with skills and drills, Sports Connections with speed challenge, and cheerleading.
Local 2012 Olympic hopefuls who I later met were also there supporting the event.
At the end I spoke briefly to the crowd, it was great to see parents there supporting their children. Duncan Goodhew was also at the event along with ‘Spartan’ from the Gladiators and Clive Wright an international paraplegic athlete, all of whom enjoyed it as well. Before heading back down to the south I chatted to all the Young Leaders/Ambassadors.
My second day definitely lived up to the great start of the week yesterday, with children and adults involved showing great commitment to The National School Sport Week, and most of all with everybody having so much fun!
So my report is over and now I am back home at 7pm. I am going to relax ready for tomorrow and the trip to the South West.
Kelly
Watch my interview for The Grantham Journal:
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 3 report with pictures
Click here to read my National School Sport Week Day 4 report with pictures
Click here to read my National School Sport Week Day 5 report with pictures
Click here for more info on The National School Sport Week and video
Video courtesy of Grantham Journal
Click here to visit their page for a great slideshow of the day