Sky Sports is on track to break this years target of 175 Irish secondary schools taking part in its Living with Sport initiative where sporting stars backed by professional coaches and mentors take part in special sessions to encourage young people to sty with their education.
Teachers run the Sky Sports Living for Sport initiative on a stand-alone basis or as part of existing curriculum activities by selecting up to 20 students who they feel need support. After submitting a simple project plan in outline, Sky then sends them an information pack and t-shirts. Teachers set project goals with their groups including asking them to lead their own sports event, before finally celebrating the group’s achievements.
Participating schools receive up to two visits from an Athlete Mentor who will share their inspirational story of how they have had to overcome challenges to achieve success and how participation in sport has helped them throughout their lives. The visits are designed to inspire the students and demonstrate that lessons learnt through sport – such as mental toughness and planning for success – can help them achieve their own goals in life.
Among the mentors to be taking part this year and committing in many cases to visiting ten schools are Irish International Rugby player Jenny Murphy, Paralympian Double Olympic Gold Medallist Mark Rohan, Canoe Champion Eoin Rheinisch, Boxer Michael Conlon, Natalya Coyle and Bernard Brogan.
Brogan was at St Kevins in Crumlin yesterday to give a football masterclass with students, their reward for having been part of the programme.
This is a well designed programme, tried and tested though more than a decade of experience in the UK.
Sport is a critical part of education and can help to reach children in ways that can be transformational in how their lives develop. Sky brings recognition, star appeal and a structure that works and is a valuable partner for schools that step forward.
