29.09.2006
DRAGON LURES SOUTH WALES SCHOOLS TO SPORTING BASH
A swarm of South East Wales primary school children was yesterday lured into the clutches of a Welsh Dragon as they immersed themselves in a host of sporting activities at the inaugural Dragon Sport Extravaganza at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff (26 March 2007).
Over 800 children from schools spanning the south east Wales area descended on the imposing £7.1m athletics arena - which is the training HQ of sprint stars such as Christian Malcolm and John McFall - to indulge in an all-day session of ten sporting activities ranging from tri-golf to hockey to cricket.
Hoping to entice the apprentice athletes away from simply watching our elite sportsmen and women on television and instead emulating their achievements, the Extravaganza aims to kick start a healthy sporting interest and unearth some future medal potential along the way.
The lottery funded Dragon Sport scheme – Wales’ biggest campaign to get primary school children hooked on out-of-school-hours-sport – is helping to draw more children into sport and increase activity levels.
At its launch in October 2000, the Sports Council for Wales’s brainchild was billed as the biggest ever recruitment drive in Welsh sport – and seven years on from its inception, it has continued to exceed all expectations.
Latest figures show that 92% of primary schools in Wales are now actively involved in the scheme and over the last year alone, over 100,000 participants have been recruited and over 1500 adults - other than teachers - are now helping to run after school Dragon Sport clubs.
And Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, Philip Carling is delighted with the impressive stats:
“These figures suggest that Dragon Sport has made a very significant contribution towards physical activity in primary schools. Participation in the programme has also helped schools to offer a wider range of activities, helped exceed targets and helped to shift attitudes which has ensured that Dragon Sport is experiencing a very happy seventh birthday!”
And with ten local authorities across the South East region each submitting four schools to participate, children from 40 Welsh schools helped to celebrate Dragon Sport’s 7th birthday in some style.
Sports Minister Alun Pugh AM was on hand to open the doors to the afternoon session and was soon wrapped up in the festivities:
“Our sports stars have the power to inspire and enthuse young people, and while only a select few can achieve the standards set by our elite, everyone can enjoy sport and the benefits it brings when you take part in it for 60 minutes, five times a week.
“Dragon Sport introduces children to sport at a basic fun and enjoyment level and works at broadening their sporting interest, which is one of the key aims of Climbing Higher – the Assembly Government sport and physical activity strategy I launched in 2003 – and I’m delighted to see the scheme going from strength to strength.”
For further information, please contact Lynette Evans at the Sports Council for Wales on 029 2033 8273 / lynette.evans@scw.co.uk
BACKGROUND:
• The schools in attendance at the Dragon Sport Extravaganza:-
|
Morning Session |
|
Merthyr Tydfil
|
Rhondda Cynon Taf
|
Blaenau Gwent
|
Bridgend
|
Monmouth
|
|
Goetre J.S. |
Alaw P.S. |
Ysgol Gymraeg Brynmawr |
Nantymoel P.S. |
Raglan P.S. |
|
Abercanaid Community School |
Abernant P.S. |
Glyncoed P.S |
Maes Y Haul P.S. |
Gilwern P.S. |
|
Heolgerrig P.S. |
Maesybryn P.S. |
Briery Hill Community Primary |
Garth P.S. |
Llanfoist P.S. |
|
Pantyscallog P.S. |
Pontyclun P.S. |
Ystruth Primary |
Porthcawl P.s. |
Ysgol Gymraeg Y Fenni |
|
Afternoon Session |
|
Cardiff
|
Caerphilly
|
The Vale of Glamorgan
|
Newport
|
Torfaen
|
|
Springwood P.S. |
Pantside P.S. |
Ysgol Sant Baruc |
Maesglas P.S |
Ysgol Gyraeg Cwmbran |
|
Radyr P.S. |
Cwrt Rawlin Primary |
Barry Island P.S. |
Pentrepoeth P.S. |
Penygarn J.S. |
|
Glyncoed J.S. |
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Caerffili |
Jenner Park P.S. |
Caerleon Endowed J.S |
Fairwater J.S |
|
Cwrt Yr Ala J.S. |
Ystrad Mynach P.S |
St Joseph’s RC P.S. |
Brynglas P.S |
Garnteg P.S |
(P.S. – Primary School / J.S. – Junior School)
• The scheme is promoted and delivered through a network of full-time Dragon Sport Co-ordinators, based in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales. It is supported by a comprehensive range of resource cards and equipment to help deliver Dragon Sport sessions, with further resource materials for the recruitment and training of volunteer parents, teachers and coaches. The scheme also helps to create links with sports clubs and other community activities by offering children and volunteers opportunities to progress in a wide range of sports.
• The health of children and young people across the nation is a key priority for the Sports Council for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government as part of the Climbing Higher strategy. The overriding challenge is to see all primary school children and 90% of secondary school children participating in at least 60 minutes of physical activity five times a week – a target to be achieved over the next 20 years.
• Golf has become the latest sport to be added to the now eight strong roster of activities on the Dragon Sport scheme - which already includes football, cricket, netball, rugby, tennis, hockey and athletics.
