Scottish Student Sport’s Post

🎽 Sports Day Planning🏅 Organising a school sports day is an exciting, yet difficult task faced by many PE Coordinators and Headteachers at this time of year! It’s a day filled with lots of fun sports activities for children at all ages, and provides invaluable memories for all involved. However, planning an unforgettable sports day is sometimes more difficult than meets the eye. 🤔 Here at Sprint Active we thought we’d summarise the keys points to remember when planning your schools sports day: 👥 People Which teachers will be involved? Will playleaders have a role? How many volunteers do you need? 🌱 Space Where will the events be held? Where will parents and spectators be positioned? 📋 Logistics How will the day be organised? What equipment is needed? What prizes will be awarded? ⛑ Safety Conduct thorough risk assessments Have a plan for first aid Consider potential warm weather conditions Whilst these reminders may sound simple, sometimes it is difficult to put these steps into action and execute the delivery of a successful event. If this is something you are looking for help with then look no further, as here at Sprint Active we are offering free sports day strategy meetings to any schools in need of support. To register your interest please visit the link below, and a member of our team will be in touch to arrange this your strategy meeting 🤝 https://lnkd.in/eFRP_Q7N #SchoolSportsDay #EventPlanning #SportsDay2024

Where did Team GB's Paris medallists go to school? 🏅 One in three British podium finishers at this summer's Paris Olympics went to an independent secondary school, according to new analysis from the Sutton Trust. While the number has dropped from previous years, it still shows the lasting impact of private education on sports. Overall, 33% of Team GB medallists attended fee-paying schools, a decrease from the 40% recorded at the last summer games. This figure compares to only 7% of the general population attending private schools. In contrast, 52% of medal winners were educated at comprehensive schools, showing progress but also highlighting room for improvement. The data also points out a significant divide in certain sports. Privately educated athletes dominate sports like rowing and equestrian. However, other areas like football tell a different story, with just 15% of the men's Euros football team and none of the women's football world cup squad from private schools. So, what does this mean for the future of British athletics? Professor Lee Elliot Major suggests that to truly level the playing field, the government needs to invest more in sports and arts within state schools. This funding could help break down barriers and provide opportunities for young people from all backgrounds. At Step Into Teaching, we believe every child deserves equal access to opportunities in education and beyond. By partnering with schools, we aim to support this mission and help every learner achieve their full potential. What are your thoughts on this? Do we need more investment in state school sports programmes? Share your views in the comments! www.stepintoteaching.co.uk #Education #Sports #TeamGB

With the Euros kicking off tonight (come on Scotland!!!), we’ve been discussing how important our school facilities and leisure centres were to us growing up. When asked about their experience, Caitlin Morris, Southampton Women and Wales footballer said “Having access to local recreation grounds and sports fields was vital for my career. Not only did it ensure I had adequate space to attend scheduled training sessions with my clubs, but it also gave me an opportunity to do additional work as an individual to further develop”. Landscape architects go beyond designing spaces; we create environments that nurture communities and well-being. Well-designed sports facilities in schools and leisure centres offer more than just a space for lunchtime games. They are champions for grassroots sports, providing a nurturing ground for young athletes to develop their skills and passion. These facilities also act as hubs for community events, bringing people together. We ensure accessibility with features like ramps and multi-use courts, prioritise safety with proper drainage and lighting, and design age-appropriate playgrounds that promote physical development and social interaction. The impact goes beyond the school day, encouraging students and visitors to spend more time outdoors, leading to improved physical health and a connection with nature. High-quality facilities like running tracks, pitches, and courts provide a nurturing environment for young athletes to hone their skills. This can be the springboard for future sporting success, feeding into local clubs and national teams. A great example is Olympic medallist Colin Jackson, who credits his local leisure centre for fostering his love for athletics. At OOBE we wonder how many future Euros heroes will be from some of our project work! Supporting image of Hexham Middle School & Queen Elizabeth High School (with Galliford Try): This project showcases our expertise in designing inspiring learning environments that extend beyond the classroom and nurture a love for physical activity. The facilities have allowed grassroots football to continue through a very wet summer and winter where other clubs only have access to grass pitches resulting in many games & practice sessions being cancelled. We are passionate about creating these spaces that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and celebrate the joy of sport. Let's continue the conversation! Share your thoughts on the importance of school sports facilities in the comments below. #euros #sport #leisurecentre #education #football #athletics #landscape #design #community

Sean Plunkett and Melvin Robinson discuss how colleges are upgrading their athletic facilities to meet the rising expectations of student-athletes and to recruit new players. Read the full article below. #sportsarchitecture #sportsdesign

👏 Well played Aberdeen Football Club! To celebrate the new academic year getting underway they are offering new and returning students the opportunity to take in the match against Motherwell Football Club for just £7 with the added bonus of a free pint of Tennents... Between RGU and Aberdeen University there are over 30,000 students in the area and with a highly diverse community from over 130 countries it's a huge opportunity to attract a new audience to Pittodrie. With Freshers week fast approaching it's worth starting to think about things that you can do to engage new students, there are several things you could do 👇 📉 Offer a discount on ticket prices for matches around freshers week and throughout the academic year. 🧣 Set up a stall at the Freshers Fayre with competitions and free merchandise. 💬 Liaise with the local college/university about a player/manager going to talk to students about the club. 🍺 Partner with local restaurants/bars to offer discounts on food and drink to student ticketholders. These are just some ideas that you could do at your club to engage the student audience, let me know in the comments if you have seen any other good examples! #Sportsbiz | #Sportsmarketing | #Fanengagement

Ever come across terms like “performance” or “focus” sports when it comes to UK University Sport? In our latest blog, we explore what these terms mean and highlight the various benefits of joining a UK University performance sport programme. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eefitba5

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 • Australian Embassy in the Netherlands | Flinders University—Strengthening Sports and Cultural Ties between Australia and the Netherlands through Bilateral Diplomatic Engagement The enduring affection for sports, which serves as a source of national pride and identity, is shared by Australia and the Netherlands as two sports-loving nations. A recent meeting was convened by the Australian Ambassador, where key figures from the Adelaide United Football Club and PSV, two renowned sports entities in the realm of football, were brought together to discuss the exciting sports and education collaboration. During the meeting, discussions were held involving the Chair of the Adelaide United Football Club—Ned Morris, and the Manager of PSV, Joost de Wit, regarding the collaboration's potential and the partnership with Flinders University and Fontys University of Applied Sciences. The collaboration aims to integrate sports and education, promoting athletic excellence and academic achievement. The growth of this partnership is eagerly anticipated, with the expectation that it will not only strengthen sports ties between Australia and the Netherlands but also deepen cultural bonds. The collaborative efforts between Australian and Dutch sports entities exemplify the power of sports diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation on a global scale. The initiative by the Australian Embassy to foster collaboration between sports and education in partnership with the Netherlands demonstrates the significance of sports as a vehicle for international cooperation and cultural exchange. Through this joint effort, the celebration of sportsmanship and the establishment of a foundation for a brighter future built on shared values and mutual respect are emphasized. #Australia #Nederland

The municipality of Maastricht (Gemeente Maastricht) is investing millions in upgrading the city’s indoor sports facilities, with old sports halls set to be either renovated or replaced. However, the plans do not include expanding capacity, which is a disappointment for student sports clubs already struggling with waiting lists: https://lnkd.in/ePArFwcX

An interesting look from Schools Week on Team GB, and where the Paris Olympics medallists went/ go to school. https://lnkd.in/eX-D8hQt Privately-educated athletes remain 'significantly over-represented', with social mobility professor Lee Elliot Major suggesting the current curriculum and it's focus having a big part to play in this: "Sports and arts have been squeezed out of the curriculum, which has increasingly been focused on academic results to the expense of everything else." What do you think? #TeamGB #SchoolsWeek #Education #SportsinEducation #Teaching #EducationRecruitment