Sport Skills in Schools Kicks Off at Ebbett Park School

Sport Hawke’s Bay’s latest project to get more school children involved in sport has kicked off at Ebbett Park School with Central Football in Hastings this week.

The Sports Skills in Schools Project is coordinated by the regional sports trust in conjunction with schools and sports providers to allow for increased sporting coordination, accountability, quality and more opportunities for schools in the Hawke’s Bay region.

Funded through the Sport New Zealand’s KiwiSport initiative, the project will see regional sports organisations go into schools to deliver sport specific programmes over a 5 week period. Sports organisations will deliver a programme to Years 4-8 in primary and intermediate schools throughout the region. It is hoped that this will create a pathway for these kids to go on to enter teams. It will also result in an opportunity for teachers and partners to upskill in the delivery of sport through engaging and participating in their children’s sport.

The programme was kicked off with Central Football visiting Ebbett Park School in Hastings. The kids were taken through a range of skill based programmes with a focus on fun and games based learning. Bill Robertson, Central Football Development Coach, says “Children learn so fast when moving and having fun. Football makes this very easy, it also helps us spot early talent for our sport.”

Mark Aspden, Sport Hawke’s Bay CEO said “the Sport Skills in Schools project was a great example of the sport and education sectors working closer together. This project will not only see more kids getting active through sport but will also see the schools being able to offer higher quality experiences to their kids. This type of relationship is important as we move to have a higher focus on participation, Sport Hawke’s Bay is proud to support this great work”.

Ebbett School Principal, Mr Steve Bloor saw the benefits of the schools involvement. “Exploring sport and developing physical skills from an early age is critical for children to get the best start and we’re very happy for this opportunity to partner with regional sports organisations enabling our school to experience the benefits of quality sport delivery”

“With 59 Hawke’s Bay schools involved across 10 sporting codes we see the Sports Skills in Schools project a great opportunity to provide kids a start to having a lifelong participation in sport.” Aspden added.

The Sports Skills in Schools programme will run throughout the 2016 school calendar.

ENDS

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