A sporting chance for every child (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

A sporting chance for every child

6:12pm Friday 13th July 2007 in

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Gordon Brown has set out proposals to put competitive sports back at the top of the agenda in Bradford schools.

Ahead of the London 2012 Olympics the new Prime Minister announced more than £100 million of new money for UK schools.

The move aims to give every child the chance of five hours of sporting activity a week by 2012 and is a sign that Mr Brown's Government has little sympathy with those who favour school sports being non-competitive and inclusive.

In Bradford, 74 per cent of pupils take part in two hours of "high quality" PE every week - slightly below the national target of 75 per cent. And while that means three out of every four students are getting exercise, in other parts of the country the percentages are in the 80s and 90s, Mr Sutcliffe said.

The Bradford South MP who was appointed Sports Minister this month said the new Government cash meant "there is real opportunity for Bradford" to build on existing projects.

Clayton Heights resident David Gent, regional director for Sport England, agreed the extra investment could only help Bradford. He said: "It is absolutely great - more good news for sports.

"We already have some good resources in Bradford but this will provide more. It will mean every child in Bradford can participate in friendly competitive sport not just the best' athletic children. We already lead the country in swimming and we can only build on that. Bradford has done really well at improving participation but has a way to go."

Mr Gent does not expect the new cash will help blossom "talent" in time for the 2012 Games but said potential stars of the 2016 and 2020 Olympics could emerge.

"It is such good news and is helping children at a community level rather than money being caught up in a bureaucratic process," he said.

"Much more importantly than spotting talent for the Olympics, it will improve participation. Five years ago 25 per cent of children were doing PE classes for the required time but now sports will be a reality for every child in Bradford."

And the investment will boost the "wider crisis" in the district of rising levels of obesity, he said.

Mr Sutcliffe said there are plans for greater emphasis on competition within and between schools. "We have real talent and special stars in Bradford and it could lead to Olympic candidates," he said. "But this is about everyone - getting everyone involved including disabled children. We will be incorporating special provision.

"These are very ambitious plans and it has come early in the new administration."

A new National School Sport Week, championed by Dame Kelly Holmes, will encourage all schools to run sports days and inter-school tournaments.

A network of 225 competitive sport leaders will be set up to work with primary and secondary schools to increase the amount of competitive sport they offer.

Mr Sutcliffe said that would not put more pressure on teachers, unless they wanted to become coaches.

He urged everyone involved in sport in the Bradford district to ensure support is put in place for youngsters wanting to get involved.

Bradford Council's strategic director for culture, tourism and sport, Jane Glaister, said: "Sport is really important. We have to give our children every opportunity to take part in it so they grow into healthier adults.

"Britain is hosting the Olympic Games in 2012 and we are fully engaged with the Olympics and the Cultural Olympiad - a four year cultural and educational programme which will build community involvement and support for the Games right across the UK."

And the Bradford councillor with responsibility for sport, Anne Hawkesworth, said: "This extra money is welcome and I am pleased children throughout the district will have the chance to take part in more sport. However, I would like to see the Government move to sustainable funding for local government rather than one-off initiatives so we can really plan to deliver improvements in the long term."

Bradford is already playing a crucial role in a four-year cultural and educational programme to accompany the Games after being chosen to lead the Yorkshire region's contribution to the nationwide Cultural Olympiad, starting at the Liverpool City of Culture opening ceremony next year.

Bradford performers will travel to Merseyside to give displays at the launch, with a strong emphasis on their cultural heritage.

The Cultural Olympiad programme is part of a new blueprint, called Yorkshire Gold, drawn up to ensure the region gains maximum benefits from the London Games. It aims to use the event to help deliver and speed up the region's existing strategic priorities for economy, sport, tourism and culture.

One such project, the Odsal Sports Village, is now being re-examined in terms of its viability and possible design. A working group is due to make recommendations in September.

And, in a further boost to budding athletes, a basketball centre of excellence in Bradford is also being investigated.

Mr Gent said the aim was to ensure every community in Bradford could eventually look at an improved or new facility in their area and say, "That wouldn't have happened without the Olympic Games."

Sport England, through lottery funding, has invested in better changing rooms and pitches, more coaches and more volunteers for sports clubs such as the Ben Rhydding Hockey Club, Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club and Bradford Hockey Club, followed by a multi-million-pound investment programme to boost existing clubs.

Meanwhile, a scheme has been launched to officially recognise the work done by Bradford's sporting volunteers, who can now be accredited for the voluntary work they do. The accreditation scheme will allow volunteers to develop their skills and use them in other parts of the county if they wish.

Yorkshire businesses have also been urged to get a slice of the pie in the run-up to the Olympics, with Bradford firms being encouraged to think outside the box to win contracts or gain clients from the 2012 extravaganza.

Announcing the scheme, the Gordon Brown said: "We can be the greatest sports nation in the world. We need to put school sport back where it belongs, playing a central role in the school day.

"I was lucky enough to have primary and secondary schools that had sport at the centre of their ethos. I want every child to have that opportunity to take part."