Sports for schools PRESS PACK – 2016

contents How it all began National reach About the scheme About the fitness circuit About the assembly Feedback No cost to schools Example news stories Getting in touch

How it all began The Sports for Schools scheme was set up in 2005 by former Great Britain gymnast, Ben Brown. Ben featured heavily in the Back the Bid Campaign which eventually saw London win as host nation of the 2012 Olympic Games. Ben was forced to quit his passion and dream of competing at an Olympic Games due to the lack of much needed funding in his sport. He was motivated to ensure that this did not happen to other sporting hopefuls and has a desire to inspire children across the UK to take up sport and lead healthy lifestyles.

National reach In 2013, Michael Ledzion took over Sports for Schools. Michael had spent most of his career as a hi-tech entrepreneur, and had decided to redirect his career towards helping young people achieve their potential. Since then the company has tripled the number of events run each year, and extended the scheme across the UK. “This country has a problem: we don’t do enough exercise. If we exercise more, we can eat more… but we do the eating without the exercise. The problem starts in childhood: children need to do a minimum of one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise each day - which means breaking a sweat. It's up to us adults to solve that problem. As a social enterprise, Sports for Schools puts social impact at the heart of everything we do. Our contribution is to bring GB international athletes into primary schools to inspire children to take up more sport and lead a healthy life.”

About the scheme Sports for Schools brings the country’s top Athletes into primary schools to inspire children across the UK to get involved in sport.   Sports for Schools runs inspiring fitness events at over 1300 schools a year across the UK, reaching around 350,000 children. Each event is hosted by a ‘Sportivater’ and led by a top international Athlete who has represented Britain at one of the world’s top championships or Olympic games. Watch our Sports for Schools video here

About the fitness circuits Sports for Schools events ENGAGE children, unlike so much other physical exercise. We make it fun and exciting. The ‘Sportivater’ and Athlete together motivate and encourage the children through a sponsored fitness circuit, including exercises such as press ups, star jumps and leg drives. Classes encourage each other to complete the circuits, cheering along to music. No one is left behind – the circuits are completed and enjoyed by each and every child, regardless of physical ability.

About the assembly After all the children have been put through their paces, they gather for an inspiring and motivational assembly with the Sports for Schools star guest. The Athlete will spend half an hour talking about their experiences in their sport, giving a display to the children and holding a Q & A session. The Sports for Schools experience is a fun and exciting opportunity to meet the country’s sporting champions of today. We also find it is a great way to encourage more children to take regular exercise and enjoy sport and inspire to them to work hard to achieve their own goals. Many older adults today still remember the day that an Olympic Athlete visited their school – often decades after the event.

feedback Feedback is incredibly positive: Stanwick Primary School (29th April 2015) “We had an absolutely fantastic afternoon with Jo [Jackson] on Wednesday, all the staff have commented on what a great event it was and how smoothly it went. Jo did a very inspirational assembly and was a perfect role model for the kids. I must also give lots of praise to Twinelle (not sure if I’ve spelt that correctly!), the sportivater, her organisational skills are excellent and she kept the whole thing running smoothly. Both the girls are a credit to your company. Your communication has also been brilliant, so thank you for that.” Jim (Deputy Head) Wroughton Junior School (24th April 2015) “I just wanted to get in touch about today’s Sports for Schools event at our school. Andy [the sportivater] and Dave [Abrutat] were absolutely fantastic and all the children had a wonderful time! I went out on lunchtime duty after the guys had left and all the children were talking about the event, Andy, Dave and the bike! I just wanted to pass on our thanks to them for doing such a great job. Andy was really well organised and motivated the children brilliantly, modelling the exercises and keeping them going. Dave made a huge impact on the children and staff and is an inspiration to us all – we feel privileged to have met such a determined, positive and kind person.” Leigh (Deputy Head)

Financing The programme operates through a fundraising initiative in which the children are encouraged to obtain sponsorship to take part in and complete the fitness circuits. Part of the money raised goes back to the scheme to help support the Athletes in their training and to cover the costs of organising each event. The rest goes to the school to spend on new PE equipment. Sports for Schools aims to inspire 1.5 million children and raise over £2million for schools across the UK over the next 3 years.

Example news stories

Getting in touch We would love to hear from you: here’s how… by Telephone: on 01223 792200 (still the quickest and easiest way!) by Email: at hello@sportsforschools.org by Snailmail (we love a letter!): SPORTS for SCHOOLS, 4 The Mill, Copley Hill Business Park, Cambridge CB22 3GN Facebook Twitter