Using Young Volunteers with Sportshall Activity

Kelly Holmes, Duncan Goodhew and Australia's Brennon Dowrick presented awards to the winners at the 2006 School Sport Partnerships' Conference which included categories across many different aspects of the delivery of School Sport and PE.

Among the awards was “Development and Deployment of Young Volunteers” category (Enabling children and young people to develop and sustain an interest in sports volunteering and leadership in a range of roles). Highly commended for this section was St Bedes/Blackburn with Darwen School Sport Partnership who used Sportshall as a focus for their development of Young Volunteers and the description of the project is listed below.

As part of the Big Lottery Fund Athletics project it was decided that not only should the money be focussed on performance but also on developing volunteers. Partnership schools were asked to identify KS4 pupils who would take on the responsibility of becoming a leader in athletics. These pupils were then trained to officiate at KS2 cluster Sportshall Fun in Athletics Festivals and KS1 Infant Agility Festivals. Training was delivered by the SSP and the Lancashire Sport - Athletics Development Officer. The pupils then ran Sportshall Festivals for the cluster schools and were involved in setting up the equipment, recording, officiating and organising the results. All pupils gained an NGB qualification and have the opportunity to assist at the local club and schools.

National School Sport Champion Dame Kelly Holmes said the work the School Sport Partnerships are doing is essential for helping young people further their education.

“I would like to offer a huge congratulations to everyone involved in School Sport Partnerships (SSPs) for getting their awards,” she said.

“Sport is so important in helping young people learn and develop and SSPs are leading the way in helping us create healthy, active and happy youngsters - and maybe even a few future Olympians.”

For more information please go to:
http://www.youthsporttrust.org

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