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Sporting stars urge local students to try dance and alternative activities

INLINE Skating World Champion Jenna Downing visited the Wirral to meet pupils from Bebington High Sports College and celebrate the success of the Sporting Promise programme, an initiative encouraging more young people to take part in PE and school sport.

Under the same programme, Paralympic cyclist Rik Waddon was in Liverpool meeting 30 students from Rudston Primary School as a reward to the school's cross country and athletics teams.

Jenna, the world's number one female inline skater and ten times British Champion, is an ambassador for the Sporting Promise and the Youth Sport Trust and joined 60 students to take part in a dance workshop, Parkour, Street Cheer and Dodgeball.

She said:- "We all recognise the benefits of physical activity but in order for young people to engage and create good habits for life, we need to create variety and make sport fun. The Sporting Promise programme provides young people with opportunities to try out some really exciting sports. It was great to see these kids enjoying themselves through these different sports, demonstrating that there is an activity out there for everyone."

Sporting Promise is an award winning grass roots sports initiative that has already impacted over 2.5 million young people in its first four years. It is a partnership between Matalan, Souluxe and the Youth Sport Trust that ensures children across the country have vital access to sports activity in school.

Brian Jordan, Headteacher at Bebington High Sports College, said:- "This morning has been fun and inspiring and we're delighted to be a part of the Sporting Promise. It has been an honour to welcome a world champion in Jenna Downing and have her share tips and advice with the students who have all enjoyed getting involved in these different activities."

Rik Waddon, who represented Paralympics GB to win silver at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games, said of his visit to Rudston Primary School:- "It was a real privilege to get to spend time with these students today. Sport has been such an important part of my life and I was lucky to have support from my friends and family growing up, and so it is great to be able to come here and help inspire these young people to keep pursuing their own hopes and dreams."

Youth Sport Trust Director of External Relations Phil Chamberlain said:- "Now in its 5th year, the Matalan Sporting Promise programme provides thousands of young people around the country with the opportunity to try exciting new sports. The support of brands like Matalan to fund these programmes is vital to ensure we deliver high quality opportunities for more young people to engage in PE and school sport."