Wendy encourages kids to get active
Olympic Silver Medallist and World Cycling Champion Wendy Houvenaghel took time out of her busy training schedule to visit two lucky schools in Belfast on Monday (8 June). Wendy was visiting Holy Rosary Primary School and Glenwood Primary School to congratulate the schools on the winning class room displays they had submitted as part of the Sport Northern Ireland Activ8 programme.
Wendy with pupils at Holy Rosary Nursery School
Activ8 is a new initiative from Sport Northern Ireland promoting 8 steps for children to get active and stay healthy and has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark. The programme was launched on 7 April and participating schools were invited to create a classroom display on the 8 steps of the Activ8 campaign that help promote an active and healthy lifestyle.
Pupils at Glenwood Primary School meet Wendy
Pupils at both schools got the chance to hear from their special visitor about her experiences as an Olympic athlete and about what she does to stay fit and healthy. After a quick chat from Wendy it was then question time for the athlete as pupils had an opportunity to ask questions.
Speaking about her visit to Holy Rosary and Glenwood, Wendy Houvenaghel, Olympic Silver Medallist and World Champion said:
“Sport Northern Ireland's Activ8 campaign is an excellent initiative that will encourage children to learn about the benefits of taking part in physical exercise and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. I was involved during its launch recently in April and I'm delighted to see the campaign in action during my visits to both schools this morning. It has been very encouraging for me to see that what I've achieved in my sport can inspire others and how it can have an impact on helping children become aware of and experience the benefits that the Activ8 campaign has to offer.”
Delighted Glenwood Primary Principal, Terry Leathem spoke of the pupil’s excitement at meeting Wendy, “When I first heard about Activ8 it seemed like a really beneficial scheme, helping children to learn about having a healthy lifestyle in a fun and enjoyable way. It didn’t disappoint, the children loved taking part and they all worked really hard on their classroom display as well as finding new ways to get active. It was a pleasure to have Wendy Houvenaghel visit our school and I’m sure the children will remember her visit for a long time to come.”
Sean Merrick, Holy Rosary Principal commented, “We were thrilled to have Wendy Houvenaghel visiting the school, the children really enjoyed demonstrating their sporting skills and asking Wendy questions. As a school, we really enjoyed taking part in Activ8, it is an excellent initiative from which the children have discovered the important benefits of being active and most importantly, how to have fun while doing it.”
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