Sport personalities lend their support to get kids active
An array of sports stars were at St Bride’s Primary School in Belfast on Tuesday to help launch Sport Northern Ireland’s Activ8 Campaign which aims to increase the levels of participation in sport and physical activity amongst young people.
This was the challenge issued to all primary five to seven school children all over Northern Ireland by a host of sports personalities including Ireland rugby player Paddy Wallace, Olympic & World Silver Medallist, Wendy Houvenaghel, Paralympic Gold Medallist, Michael McKillop and All Ireland Senior Football Champion, Tyrone player Sean Cavanagh.
Pictured are: Pupils from
St Bride's Primary School with Olympic & World Silver Medallist, Wendy Houvenaghel
Activ8 highlights eight ways for children to get active and stay healthy by participating in up to 60 minutes of physical activity every day. It is part of an initiative led by Sport Northern Ireland and supported by the Education and Library Boards and the Health Promotion Agency.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Olive Brown, Board Member of Sport Northern Ireland said: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are just over three years away and with excitement growing we want to make sure everyone becomes more active especially young people. There is so much to be gained from taking part in sport and physical activity; it is healthy and fun.”
Pictured are: Gary Hamilton, Glentoran Football Club, Eamonn McCartan, Sport Northern Ireland Chief Executive and Sean Cavanagh, Tyrone Gaelic Footballer with a pupil from
St Bride's Primary School
Activ8 has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark, congratulating Sport Northern Ireland on achieving this Sports Minister, Gregory Campbell said: “I am pleased to announce that Sport Northern Ireland has been awarded the Inspire Mark for Activ8. This is the third Inspire Mark for Northern Ireland and will contribute to the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.”
Over 120 schools have already registered to take part in the Activ8 Challenge. If your school would like to participate log onto www.sportni.net/activ8 and enter by 10 April.
Every school that registers will receive a free Activ8 Challenge pack including: Activ8 diaries for every participating pupil; colour certificates for each child that completes their diary; A2 laminated classroom poster for each participating class; and ideas for creating a classroom display.
Participating pupils will be asked to complete an Activ8 Diary (included in the Activ8 pack) for one week. This will encourage children to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity every day and record their success. Pupils that have successfully completed the Activ8 Diary Challenge will be given a colour certificate to acknowledge their achievement and promote sustained involvement in physical activity.
In addition, teachers and pupils will be invited to create a classroom display based on the 8 steps of the Activ8 campaign that help promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Teachers can then enter the class room display to win a visit to their school by a Northern Ireland sporting hero and a free class trip or £250 worth of sports equipment.
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