Local MP witnesses the power of Sky Sports Living For Sport

Friday, 5 September 2008

Damian Green, MP for Ashford, Kent is today meeting students from The North School in Ashford who are involved in ‘Sky Sports Living For Sport’, a national initiative that aims to use sport to inspire young people to achieve their full potential both in and outside of the classroom.

The students will discuss with Damian just how much of an impact the programme has had on their lives as well as present a slideshow of some of their personal highlights. Additionally they will give a live display of some of the sports that they're taking part in, such as dodgeball and benchball.

He will also hear from teachers and the Youth Sports Trust about how the initiative links these activities to personal targets to improve their performance in school and help boost their confidence.

Now in its fifth year, Sky Sports Living For Sport is organised by the Youth Sport Trust in partnership with Sky. So far, it has worked with some 17,000 young people, aged 11-16, who are at risk of opting out of school in over 600 schools across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Over 70% of the young people who have taken part to date have shown improved confidence and self-esteem, with 90% sustaining these improvements 24 months later*.

A number of sporting heroes, led by Olympic Gold Medallist and Sky Sports Living For Sport Ambassador, Darren Campbell MBE, act as positive role models for those involved, using their experiences as successful athletes to illustrate behavioural messages and communicate life skills.

Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust, says:

“I would like to congratulate both the students and staff at the North School for their enthusiasm and hard work in managing Sky Sports Living For Sport.  Having the opportunity to introduce Damian Green to those who have been taking part and highlight the success of Sky Sports Living for Sport will be a great opportunity for both the Youth Sport Trust and all those involved at the school.”

Click here to find out more about Sky Sports Living For Sport