“Sport England’s Sporting Champions programme has really made a
difference in motivating young people to stay engaged in
sport.”
Dame Kelly Holmes, double Olympic champion and Chair of the DKH
Legacy Trust
Top English athletes are playing a key
role in introducing less active young people to sport – and keeping
them playing.
Sport England’s Sporting Champions and Sport
Unlimited programmes have been working together to inspire
youngsters to take up and play the sports they’re interested
in.
More than 20 champions from the world of sport
have been attending sports taster sessions for young people,
provided through Sport Unlimited, to engage with the youngsters
taking part.
The first year of the Sporting Champions
programme, managed by Creating Excellence and the DKH Legacy Trust,
has seen:
- 59 Sport Unlimited projects visited across 17
county sports partnerships (CSPs)
- 158 visits by 21 Sporting Champions
- Over 2000 young people met Champions
- Supported Sport Unlimited projects
retained 81.3% of young people for the duration of the course –
higher than the national average
- 95% of CSPs said that Sporting Champions
increased engagement with young people
- Sporting Champions awarded the London 2012
Inspire mark, recognising the impact it’s having on young
people.
In Lancashire, former Olympic fencer James
Williams linked up with Lancashire Sport to help introduce 14- to
16- year-olds in Morecambe to his sport.
“If you give young people the opportunity,
they will thrive,” said James. “The programmes have given these
youngsters a chance and I’m proud to be involved to encourage,
inspire and support them.”
“Visits from Sporting Champions linked
to our Sport Unlimited
programme have inspired young people to
try a sport and then carry on playing it,”
said Sport England’s Director of Children and Young People, Mike
Diaper. “Engagement with the champions has helped provide young
people with a different and positive perspective of
sport.”
Sporting Champions has now introduced four new
athletes:
- Sue Smith – England footballer
- Ross Davenport – Commonwealth Games gold
medal-winning swimmer
- Siobhan Chamberlain – England football
goalkeeper
- Jayant Mistry – Former world top 10
wheelchair tennis player.
“Sport England’s Sporting Champions programme
has really made a difference in motivating young people to stay
engaged in sport,” said Dame Kelly Holmes. “I know from a personal
stance that my athlete peers have welcomed the opportunity to build
local relationships through the Sport Unlimited projects and to see
that their involvement can inspire young people.”
Find out more about Sport Unlimited on our website and read about Sporting
Champions on its website