School sport is growing
British Rowing very warmly welcomes the results from the governments PE and Sport Survey 2008/09. Today 40% of secondary schools in England offer rowing as an activity. British Rowing introduced Project Oarsome ten years ago with aim of opening the sport to a wider range of young people in 100 state schools, today around 2000 secondary schools offer the sport, with many linked to a Clubmark club.
Rosie Mayglothling, Rowings Technical Co-ordinator was heavily involved in Project Oarsome. “ It is fantastic to see that all of the hard work by clubs, coaches and supporting organizations continues to have a major impact. Rowing is a great activity for secondary age young people, our participant pathway emphasizes that a generic multi-skills PE programme for primary aged children is the best preparation for sports specific participation at 11+, and will provide an excellent foundation for long-term health…”
Ian Broadbridge from the Department for Children, Schools and Families is delighted with progress…. “A new benchmark for youth sport has been set today with the publication of the PE and Sport Survey 2008/09. This is the sixth survey carried out by the government and the first one since the target for 5 to 16 year olds to do at least two hours of sport each week was smashed last year. The benchmark for the five hour offer has now been set as the 2008/09 survey reveals:
- 51% of pupils took part in at least 3 hours sport in a typical week.
- 69% of pupils participated in intra-school competitions during the school year.
- 44% of pupils participated in inter-school competitions during the school year.
- Schools provided an average of 18.6 different sports including football, dance, athletics, badminton and volleyball.
- Schools had links to an average of 8.2 sports clubs……..”
A copy of the survey can be downloaded here on found on the DCSF website
