Youth Sport Trust welcomes Prime Minister’s focus on school sport

The Prime Minister David Cameron has announced competitive team sports are to be made compulsory for all primary school children in England. A draft new curriculum this autumn will require participation in sports such as hockey, football and netball. Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust, said:

"We welcome the PM's commitment to put physical education and sport back at the heart of primary school life. Competition is a key factor in the development of young people and provides an opportunity to learn important life skills.

"However it is important that young people are taught and coached in the basic skills of the various sports so that they have the confidence and competence to enjoy and succeed in competition. In primary schools there are no specialist teachers of PE and sport so it will be critical to provide training and support for teachers if we are to maximise this opportunity."

The Youth Sport Trust delivers the School Games for the government, which has over 14,000 schools in England signed up so far. Backed by Sport England Lottery funding, the School Games aims to improve the quality and quantity of competitive sport in schools and engage all young people in sport - whatever their ability.

Read the Prime Minister's full statement here.

The Youth Sport Trust is also delighted to learn that Lord Sebastian Coe, a strong supporter of school sport, is to be a legacy ambassador for the government following London 2012.