The popular BBC Children’s programme Blue Peter has revived its Sports Badge and could generate inspiration for a similar scheme in Ireland.
The Blue Peter badge was first introduced in 1963 and has been part of the national consciousness in Britain ever since. It is awarded to children between 6 and 15 who have either appeared on the show or sent in a contribution.
Lat year, in the wake of the 2012 Olympic Games and the BBC ‘Get Inspired’ campaign, the programme produced a Sport Badge which could be gained by introducing a friend to a new sport and sending in photographs of the two friends playing together.
It was a roaring success and led to a repeat this year with a summer window open for taking up the challenge of getting a child engaged in a new sport.
We are continually looking at new ways to engage children in sport and what better way than to do so through friends.
It may be that this is something which can be brought about next summer through schools via the Active Flag programme or through the RTE Children’s programme Elev8 and rolled out to parents through mainstream sports programming.
The Blue Peter badge has never been sponsored but some commercial support for a similar programme in Ireland would be possible, and if it got more children active in sport then surely it would be a good idea.
We will explore possibilities and ideas for engaging Children in Sport as part of the Business of Youth Sport conference on September 29th. Join Sky Sports, Athletics Ireland, Active Flag and many more by booking your place today.
