As Birmingham prepares to host the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, 65 local schools, and 10,000 children will take part in high energy sports workshops. On Wednesday (06 July), 180 children got active at a Timberley Academy in Shard End, Birmingham.
Birmingham 2022 ‘Bring the Power’ school sport workshops, funded by Birmingham City Council, and delivered by activity education and training provider Aspire Active Education Group, have been rolled out across the region to get young people moving ahead of this summer’s Games, which will be the biggest sporting event evert to be staged in the West Midlands. They are just one element of their ambitious ‘Bring the Power’ programme which aims to reach one million children and young people.
Former Team England athlete Sarah McDonald, who reached the 1500m final at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and has competed at World Championships and European Championships, visited Timberley Academy to see the youngsters in action and hold a Q&A session with the pupils, who left feeling inspired.
‘Bring the Power’ school sport workshop days, are billed as a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring pupils close to the world’s most inclusive and progressive multi-sport event, taking place on their doorstep.
The workshops allow Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils to experience the fully integrated para-sports programme of the Games by taking part in sporting events inspired by Birmingham 2022. Training partners will typically work with five or six classes of up to 30 pupils each during the activity day. Timberley Academy were among the first to hold the workshops.
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will see around 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories compete in 19 sports and eight para-sports across 15 competition venues from 28 July until 8 August 2022.
James Grinsted, Schools Relationship Manager at Birmingham 2022, said: “Workshops like these, bringing children together, are amazing opportunities to show case the energy of young people, and their commitment and enthusiasm for all sports and keeping active.
“Birmingham 2022 is an incredible celebration of sport and culture that has the ability to provide a legacy by inspiring children and young people beyond the West Midlands and across the country. We want children and young people across the country to feel part of the celebrations and think about what Bring the Power means to them and their school community.”
Sarah McDonald, former Team England 1,500m athlete said: “I was delighted to see young people at Timberley Academy get involved in physical activity ahead of the Commonwealth Games through ‘Bring the Power’. It’s great to see pupils get moving as the clock counts down to the Games, which promises to be memorable sporting moment.”
Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “These workshops are yet another way in which the benefits of being Proud Host City for Birmingham 2022 are being enjoyed by people of all ages in all parts of our city. The Games are supercharging a golden decade of opportunity for Birmingham that will shape the lives of children and young people in schools right across the city.”
The event is just one example of the Games, ‘Bring the Power’ programme which aims to widen knowledge, improve access to sports, art and culture while helping to boost confidence and resilience of children and young people. The programme is working closely with schools, groups and partners allow young people to understand the background as well as the power of the Games.
To find out more and get involved visit Birmingham2022.com/power