Inclusive sport
ching the D team - why rt is important in schools?
with other staff around to support new or young staff, can be intimidating.”
England Netball officiating guidance highlights that “new officials learn by getting out there and having a go”. Providing opportunities for school staff to gain confidence is an important element of running tournaments and allowing staff opportunities to gain experience in a lower-pressure environment.
Jutson is happy that the provision of fixtures for all creates a lifelong love of sport. “We just want everyone out there having a healthy, active lifestyle and enjoying their sport, win or lose.
“When you speak to students who have left, they miss it so much. They don’t actually realise how much they buy into the sport until it’s gone. Whether it’s ‘I miss team sport’ or ‘my fitness isn’t what it was’ or ‘I miss getting up on Saturday mornings’ – all those things they can take with them for the rest of their lives.”
At Sevenoaks School in Kent, the PE department has emphasised the importance of competitive but inclusive sport with Project 1000.
Steve Brenchley, assistant director
of sport, explained: “Project 1000 is a drive to provide 1000 pupils at the school the opportunity to represent school teams over the course of the year.
“We are also recognising the commitment shown by pupils and will be awarding medals for 50 appearances across the various sports.
“The 2019/20 season was unfortunately curtailed early due to COVID-19, meaning we were not able to reach our target but we were delighted to have supported 897 students to represent Sevenoaks sports teams and look forward to achieving our target next year.”
Charlotte Smith, head of tennis and a teacher of PE at Sevenoaks, agrees that providing high-quality sporting experiences, including matches and tournaments, is key to engaging children in sport for life.
“As a PE teacher, I went into the profession to help children and young people learn and fulfil their sporting potential, whether that is a pupil on a performance pathway or a pupil who is completely new to a sport or doesn’t consider themselves ‘sporty’ the process is
the same, enthuse, encourage and guide them on their journey.
“Some of my most fulfilling moments as a PE teacher have been coaching lower ability teams, taking them from absolute beginners to playing their first match. The smiles on their faces as they get on the coach with their friends and the excitement to do three cheers at the end of the match brings so much joy to that group of pupils as they experience representing their school for the
first time.”
Sevenoaks School aims for 100% participation in school fixtures and Smith is convinced that this inclusive but competitive mentality is key.
She adds: “There are students who have played 2nd XI or 3rd XI hockey at school but continued to play at university and are still playing club hockey for the local 5th XI and have got friends and sports for life out of that. Whether you are going onto play club hockey in adulthood
Issue No.81 January/February/March 2021 SCHOOL SPORT
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