Lloyds Tsb Unveils School Sports Push
Lloyds TSB has launched the 2010 National School Sport Week, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, and will provide over four million British schoolchildren with the opportunity to try an Olympic or Paralympic sport that they have never experienced before.
At the launch, the financial services firm unveiled new research that indicates that excitement about the London 2012 Olympics amongst schoolchildren is growing rapidly.
Despite the Games still being two years away, research conducted on behalf of Lloyds TSB showed that eight out of ten schoolchildren are excited about the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with six out of ten inspired to take part in more sport.
The research also highlights that 87% of schoolchildren are keen to try a new Olympic or Paralympic sport.
National School Sport Week will run from 28th June – 2nd July 2010 and is part of the London 2012 Get Set education programme.
Despite the enthusiasm, 40% of Olympic sports have never been tried by 93 percent of children surveyed. But with nine out of ten children keen to try new sports, Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week is set to meet this demand.
Overall, the research demonstrates that young people across Britain are engaged with London 2012. British parents support their children’s enthusiasm with 84% agreeing that they would like their children to try a new Olympic or Paralympic sport at school with six out of ten parents citing the Games as inspiring their children to do more sport.
72% also believe this would help their children become more engaged with the Games, with nine out of ten believing that doing more sport will keep their children fit and healthy and learn vital life skills like team work (77%). However, there are still some areas for improvement if the Games are to leave a positive lasting legacy.
There is a need to raise awareness amongst British children about some of the Olympic and Paralympic sports that will feature at London 2012. The research highlights that established sports including taekwondo (43%), fencing (22%) and triathlon (41%) are less well known amongst young people and adults alike. In addition, only one in ten young people have tried their hand at rowing or judo.
Enthusiasm remains high with British schoolchildren wanting to find out more about sports that are new to them, including Paralympic sports boccia (30%) and goalball (23%) both of which were listed in the top ten.
The Lloyds TSB research also demonstrates that hosting the 2012 Games in Britain is helping to engage both schoolchildren and their parents with the Olympic and Paralympic values.
Those surveyed believe that increased participation in sport brings benefits including a role in developing friendships (94% amongst children); bringing communities together (86% amongst adults); increasing confidence levels (90% amongst children) and aiding in the development of team working skills and fair play (92% amongst children).
Olympic Gold Medallist, Jason Gardener, Paralympic Bronze Medallist Ade Adepitan and Olympic Silver Medallist Iwan Thomas were joined by 50 schoolchildren in London’s Regent’s Park to launch Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week 2010 and take part in boccia, handball, taekwondo, fencing and volleyball taster sessions.
All primary and secondary schools can register to get involved in Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week 2010 by logging on at www.schoolsportsweek.org.
Registered schools will receive a free teacher planning and activity pack, full of ideas to help plan their week and ensure the whole school can get involved.
Lloyds TSB was the first top-tier partner to sign up as a sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
