Olympic sprint champion Jason Gardener and Commonwealth gymnastics champion Frankie Jones joined pupils from Bishop Gore School in Swansea today to celebrate National School Sport Week.
Jason, who led off the victorious Team GB 4x100m relay team at the Athens 2004 Olympics, offered tips and advice to the students, who took part in a range of sporting activities, including sitting volleyball and boccia, throughout the morning. Rhythmic gymnastics star Frankie, who notched an incredible six medals for Wales at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and leading Paralympic long jumper James Ledger were also on hand to offer advice.
Bishop Gore School is one of more than 4,800 schools from across England and Wales taking part in a range of exciting activities to celebrate National School Sport Week, a major celebration of PE and sport, delivered by the Youth Sport Trust. Over 1.8 million young people will be able to take part in sporting activities across the country from 22-26 June, with schools challenged to encourage young people to take part in five hours of PE and sport across the week.
Youth Sport Trust Ambassador Jason Gardener said: "It is great to see the students of Bishop Gore partaking in such a range of sporting activities during National School Sport Week. It was honour to present certificates and see the positive impact PE is having on these young people."
Youth Sport Trust Athlete Mentor Frankie Jones added:
"National School Sport Week is all about showcasing how PE and school sport should be fun and engaging for all young people and this is exactly what today has shown at Bishop Gore School. These students are among the millions benefiting from the week's activities, which help promote the value PE and school sport have on the physical and emotional wellbeing of young people today."
Bishop Gore School Headteacher Ryan Davies said: "National School Sport Week is an important part of our school calendar. This year we wanted to make the focus on inclusive activities and it has been great to see the pupils attempting some new sports. Having stars such as Jason, Frankie and aspiring Paralympic athlete James Ledger here today has really inspired the whole school and I have no doubt they made a lasting impression on all the pupils they met."
Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said: "We are proud to deliver National School Sport Week and it is always very special to see the energy and excitement in schools that are celebrating week.
"At the Youth Sport Trust we believe in building a brighter future for young people though PE and school sport and National School Sport Week helps us do that. It also promotes the fact that PE, school sport and physical activity are proven to enhance physical health, boost mental wellbeing, build resilience, lift academic achievement and create active habits for life."
Sport Wales Chief Executive, Sarah Powell added: "We are pleased to see Welsh schools such as Bishop Gore taking part in National School Sport Week. Each year we see a brilliant range of activities being offered at schools up and down our nation to promote sport and physical activity options among our young people.
"Schools are essential in helping us to giving children the skills they need to allow them to become hooked on sport for life, which is critical to creating a more active and healthy population. Positive experiences of sport such as those created through National School Sport Week support this quest enormously."
