PRESS RELEASE

19 May 2014

Win a visit to your primary school from a national sporting hero in a new competition launching today.

The competition by Playforce, the UK’s leader in the design and creation of innovative, curriculum-linked play environments, aims to inspire children to more physically active by tapping into their love of heroes of all kinds.

Whether it’s an Olympic athlete they admire, a parent who encourages the family to get active at weekends or a teacher that does great PE lessons, children are invited to draw, paint, sculpt or write about someone that has inspired them to get involved in sport or to be more active in some way.  Schools are asked to scan or photograph entries, then email them with a brief description toemily.northin@playforce.co.uk.  The closing date for entries is 13th June.

Entries will be judged by the Youth Sport Trust, an independent charity devoted to changing young lives through sport.  The winner will receive a visit to their school by a Youth Sport Trust Athlete Mentor.  These mentors are current or former international athletes from a range of sports who deliver inspirational messages to young people.  Some have overcome challenges such as bullying, dyslexia, exclusion or living with a disability to achieve sporting success.  Mentors will spend time with the winning entrant’s school, could attend a sports event, take part in a PE lesson or run workshops with children or staff. 
The competition is open to schools in England and Wales with primary age pupils.  The winner will be notified via their school and announced by 20th June.

Managing Director of Playforce, Dr. Colin MacAdam, says: “Encouraging children to be physically active from a young age is vitally important for their health and well-being, both now and in the future.  Role models and heroes from the sporting world are hugely inspiring to children.  What better way to inspire children to participate in sport and active outdoor activity than to meet a real-life sports star at school.”

Enter the competition at www.playforce.co.uk/enter-our-competition-to-win-a-visit-from-a-sporting-hero/  [1]

Recent research by Playforce amongst children aged 5-11 found that a famous sportsperson would be the person they would listen to most about being more healthy, after a parent/carer or teacher.[2]

Playforce is an accredited Partner in the Youth Sport Trust Business Honours Club which recognises innovation and ability to develop and deliver products and services to help enhance PE and school sport.

– Ends-

For photography and further information, please contact:

Julie Parmenter, Elephant Creative

T: 01981 251820 / 07775 715936

E: julie@elephantcreative.co.uk

About Playforce

Playforce is the UK’s leader in the design of innovative, curriculum-linked outdoor play environments for nurseries and primary schools. That means everything from timber trails to outdoor classrooms, musical play to science investigations. We are passionate about getting every child active and making the best use of the School Sport Funding. Playforce are proud to be working in partnership with Youth Sport Trust, as the exclusive Business Honours Club partner for playground equipment and facilities.

For more information please visit www.playforce.co.uk

About the Youth Sport Trust

The Youth Sport Trust is an independent charity devoted to changing young people’s lives through sport. We are passionate about helping all young people to achieve their full potential in life and in sport by delivering high quality physical education (PE) and sport opportunities:

• We work to give every child a sporting start in life through high quality PE and sport in primary schools.
• We work to ensure all young people have a sporting chance by developing opportunities for those with special educational needs and disabilities.
• We support all young people to achieve their sporting best in school and their personal best in life.

Find out more www.youthsporttrust.org

[1] Full terms and conditions available

[2] PCP Market Research conducted conducted an online survey with 502 parents with children aged 5 – 11 years on behalf of Playforce. Interviews were conducted between 1st and 8th July 2013. 15.5% of children responding said they would listen to a famous sportsperson (or pop star) about being more healthy vs 56.6% a parent/carer and 16.1% a teacher.