Words by Smiley Team
Usually at this time of year, students across the country would be taking part in Sports Days. But with millions of young people set to miss out on this opportunity, the Youth Sport Trust’s annual National School Sport Week campaign will this year be opened up to parents and families and reinvented as National School Sport Week at Home.
Taking place from 20 to 26 June, the UK-wide campaign gives families, communities, schools and sports clubs the opportunity to engage in a series of virtual sporting challenges which help young people capture the enjoyment, competition and camaraderie they have been missing out on during weeks of school closures and social distancing.
People can still register to take part in the campaign today and anyone signing up will receive videos and activity cards to help them plan a series of challenges across the week for their families, neighbours, friends or colleagues.
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.
“The Youth Sport Trust and Sky Sports share a passionate belief in the power of sport to change lives and unite us, even through the most difficult times.” said Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver. “We are delighted that Sky Sports will be partnering this summer’s National School Sport Week at Home, helping us to support the millions of young people missing out on a school sport day this year.”
“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.”
The campaign builds on the Youth Sport Trust’s #StayHomeStayActive campaign which has been supporting schools, parents and young people with daily free resources to get young people moving and enjoying the PE curriculum while at home.
Everyone who registers will be provided with free videos and activity cards to help plan a series of challenges across National School Sport Week at Home. The active challenges will all have an emphasis on togetherness, inclusivity and wellbeing and there will be things you can do within the home.
