Special sports days planned

Saturday 14 March 2015

Local sportsmen and women representing the Island in this summer’s NatWest Island Games are being encouraged to go back to school.

The organisers of the Games want athletes into classrooms and assemblies to help get schoolchildren inspired by and involved in Jersey 2015 and ignite a long lasting passion for sport.

Jersey’s Sports Development Manager David Kennedy said there are plans to use the Games within the curriculum not just in PE but in Maths, English and Geography too.

All the Island's primary schools have now been twinned with one of the other Islands competing in the Games and the idea is that they will develop links and learn more about where the other teams come from.

Mr Kennedy said: “We want Jersey 2015 to be the best games ever. If you look at previous Games, they all left a legacy, Glasgow 2014 was about the volunteers, it was known as a friendly games. London 2012 was known for its infrastructure. Jersey could have its own legacy in terms of volunteers and the fact it involves all members of the community.”

“Involving schoolchildren, both academically and in PE at school and outside school, we’ll know that these children will have the best opportunity to be inspired by sport.”

The Games kick off on Saturday 27 June and there will be plenty of sporting action for youngsters to get involved in.

Mr Kennedy said: "We are hoping that school children will be used at the games in a number of roles such as ballboys/girls, water and kit carriers, and supporters of their twinned island, and Jersey of course!"