Win a visit from a top athlete

Released 20/01/2012

Get pupils thinking like the sports elite to be in the running

The competition is supported by Olympic gold medal winner Jonathan Edwards

Change4Life and SmallSteps4Life have launched a new competition, supported by Olympic Gold Medal winner Jonathan Edwards, for schools across England to receive a visit from a top athlete.

The competition is aimed encouraging healthy eating and fitness whilst generating enthusiasm about the 2012 games.

Change4Life and SmallSteps4Life are asking all primary, secondary and special schools to get 2012 off to a healthy start by thinking like an elite athlete. To enter, individual classes must keep a diary for four weeks recording details of how they lived like an elite athlete. Classes should organise a healthy activity each day, whilst eating well and reporting back on how it made them feel better.

Teachers should work with their class to choose a “2012 Games” themed event they feel inspired by and think about how they would train for it. Perhaps running each morning to be a sprinter; throwing bean bags as far as they can for the javelin, or practise a routine each day to be a gymnast. Once they’ve chosen their ‘sport’, classes then need to create a ‘training plan’ and submit a four week diary showing off their hard work and its benefits.

Inspired by the SmallSteps4Life principles of ‘Eating Well’, ‘Getting Active’ and ‘Feeling Good’, the challenges need to be imaginative, original and effective. The winning diaries from a primary, secondary and special school will win a visit from a top athlete.

Inspiration and further information about the competition can be found on the Change4Life website at: http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/SmallSteps4Life-competition.aspx

The competition is open to all schools across England and will run for approximately 8 weeks. Important dates for your diary:

· 9th January – Competition Launched

· 9th March– Competition Closes

· April – Winners Announced

· April / May /June – Winning schools will receive a visit by a top athlete

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