Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland are preparing to join children’s charity, the Youth Sport Trust and Sky Sports to help young people and families up and down the country engage in a week of virtual sporting challenges.
With young people set to miss out on a school sport day this summer, the Youth Sport Trust’s annual National School Sport Week campaign is this year being opened-up to parents and families and reinvented as National School Sport Week at Home.
The annual celebration is taking place from 20 to 26 June, the UK-wide campaign will give families, communities, schools and sports clubs the chance to capture the enjoyment, competition and camaraderie they have been missing out on during weeks of school closures and social distancing.
Individuals can sign up through the Youth Sport Trust’s website to receive free tools and materials to help them plan a series of games and challenges, which they can then use to compete against their friends and family, in person and through social media. Robert and Justin are supporting the campaign and calling on families, individuals and organisations from across Swindon to get involved and challenge one another.
Both Justin and Robert have been strong supporters of sport in schools, regularly visiting schools in Swindon to attend sporting events and meet a variety of clubs and teams.
In previous years, National School Sport Week has seen thousands of schools join in a week-long celebration of school sport and Physical Education, and their important role enhancing young people’s wellbeing.
This year, Sky Sports has teamed up with the Youth Sport Trust to supercharge the campaign, helping to inspire families across the country to take part. This builds on a long-term relationship between the broadcaster and charity.
Justin Tomlinson said:
“With so many children missing out on the great experience of a school sports day, it’s wonderful to see National School Sport Week going virtual to help re-capture the fun and competition of school sport at home.
Children who take part in school sport and good quality physical education not only have the best chance of leading healthy, active lifestyles, but also gain huge benefits in improving their wellbeing, concentration and developing character and life skills.
Robert Buckland added:
“It’s more important than ever that we look after our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing during this difficult time. That’s why I’m delighted to be supporting the Youth Sport Trust’s National School Sport Week at Home and encourage all of my constituents to sign-up!”
Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said:
“Right now, young people are missing their friends and missing the sense of connection they get through sport.
Sport has such a crucial role to play in promoting young people’s wellbeing and this has never been more apparent than it is now. After weeks of isolation we hope that YST National School Sport Week at Home 2020 can help bring families, communities, schools and sports clubs back together.”
Anyone can register to take part and will receive videos and activity cards to help them plan a series of challenges across the week for their families, neighbours, friends or colleagues.
