Schools given sporting chance by C&W 2012 Partnership

2009-11-11 12:13:52 - Youngsters from across Coventry and Warwickshire are to be inspired by the Olympic movement and life as Olympic and Paralympic athletes thanks to a new project.

The Festival of Sport is a three year scheme which aims to give every child in year seven from schools across Coventry the opportunity to experience a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports through four five-day events held during every academic year up until 2012.
By its conclusion the Festival of Sport is expected to have given a fun experience of

Olympic and Paralympic sport to over 15,000 school children.
In year one, each of the four pilot events will focus on different groups of sports to be delivered by qualified coaches in association with relevant National Governing Bodies.
Funded by NHS Coventry, the project is being organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games, Coventry School Sports Partnership and Coventry Sports Foundation.
The first event will be held at the Alan Higgs Centre, in Allard Way, between Monday November 9 and Friday November 13.
Activities being held on the day include basketball, handball, volleyball, wheelchair basketball and dance.
It will be attended by pupils from Whitley Abbey, Grace Academy, Cardinal Wiseman, Blue Coat, Ernesford Grange, Lyng Hall and Stoke Park schools.
Will Bastin, from the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games, said: “The 2012 Games provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire a generation to choose sport, try or experience a new sport or get involved in physical activity and active recreation.
“A key promise by the London 2012 bid team was to use the 2012 Games as a catalyst to increase participation in sport and physical activity to promote a healthier lifestyle and events like the Festival of Sport will play a significant role in fulfilling that commitment.
“By educating young people in the Olympic values and the benefits of regular sport, physical activity and active recreation we stand a good chance of creating a sporting legacy in the region that we can be proud of.”

ENDS

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