News Story Date : 09 September, 2010

Champion effort helps keep youngsters in sport

Top English athletes are playing a key role in introducing less active young people to sport – and keeping them playing.

Sport England’s Sporting Champions and Sport Unlimited programmes have been working together to inspire youngsters to take up and play the sports they’re interested in.

More than 20 champions from the world of sport have been attending sports taster sessions for young people, provided through Sport Unlimited, to engage with the youngsters taking part.

The first year of the Sporting Champions programme, managed by Creating Excellence and the DKH Legacy Trust, has seen:

59 Sport Unlimited projects visited across 17 county sports partnerships (CSPs)
158 visits by 21 Sporting Champions
Over 2000 young people met Champions
Supported Sport Unlimited projects retained 81.3% of young people for the duration of the course – higher than the national average
95% of CSPs said that Sporting Champions increased engagement with young people
Sporting Champions awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark, recognising the impact it’s having on young people.
In Lancashire, former Olympic fencer James Williams linked up with Lancashire Sport to help introduce 14- to 16- year-olds in Morecambe to his sport.

“If you give young people the opportunity, they will thrive,” said James. “The programmes have given these youngsters a chance and I’m proud to be involved to encourage, inspire and support them.”

“Visits from Sporting Champions linked to our Sport Unlimited programme have inspired young people to try a sport and then carry on playing it,” said Sport England’s Director of Children and Young People, Mike Diaper. “Engagement with the champions has helped provide young people with a different and positive perspective of sport.”

Sporting Champions has now introduced four new athletes:

Sue Smith – England footballer
Ross Davenport – Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning swimmer
Siobhan Chamberlain – England football goalkeeper
Jayant Mistry – Former world top 10 wheelchair tennis player.
“Sport England’s Sporting Champions programme has really made a difference in motivating young people to stay engaged in sport,” said Dame Kelly Holmes. “I know from a personal stance that my athlete peers have welcomed the opportunity to build local relationships through the Sport Unlimited projects and to see that their involvement can inspire young people.”

For more information on Sporting Champions please visit the Sporting Champions website