For a third year, a collaboration between ukactive kids and Nike will highlight the role that school staff play across England, inspiring children to get active.
This year has been difficult for many young people, especially the youngest in communities that have lost out on physical activity and social skills with schools closed.
The Active School Hero Award is a nationwide campaign to recognise primary school staff who’ve inspired physical activity amongst children. Backed by British hurdler Jessie Knight and Team GB Paralympic Champion Richard Whitehead, nominations will see finalists from across all nine English regions, with the overall winner to be announced in July.
The award has now expanded its focus from London and Birmingham to cover all nine regions of England: North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England, and Greater London.
In line with the difficulties seen across the country due to restrictions and poverty, this will be an opportunity to see the lengths, teaching staff have gone to keep children active.
Studies have shown that children who active, do better in school and in later life. Exercise and fitness is hugely impactful for mental and physical wellbeing, something that GB Olympics hopeful Jessie Knight knows instinctively.
Knight juggles her 400m hurdling career, with being a primary school teacher in Surrey, she added:
“You don’t have to be an athlete to inspire kids to be active – there are unsung heroes in every school who inspire pupils to experience the fun and enjoyment of physical activity every day. I have the pleasure of seeing first-hand the positive mindset that school staff bring to young people through physical activity, and I want every community to celebrate this by nominating an Active School Hero today.”
Additionally, CEO of ukactive, Huw Edwards & Dan Burrows, Nike’s Senior Director of Social & Community Impact, both congratulated the “unsung heroes” that the program recognised and the importance of celebrating the benefit they bring to play and sport.
The award is open to any individual that works within primary schools that works to support children’s activity levels, health and wellbeing.
Nominations opened on the 21st of April.
See here for more information on Active School Hero nominations.
