Tchoukball UK has joined forces with Matalan and the Youth Sport Trust to launch Matalan Sporting Promise - an exciting new programme introducing less well known sports to young people.
Britain’s greatest ever Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave launched Matalan Sporting Promise at Sport City, Manchester, where 200 school children took part in some of the exciting sports that the programme will deliver, including tchoukball - the fastest handball sport in the world.
Sir Steve used the opportunity to highlight the importance of funding school sport. It follows last month's announcement by the Department for Education that it plans to cut its £162 million investment in school sport from next year, which included funding for a network of School Sport Partnerships.
Working with Matalan and the Youth Sport Trust will add a major boost to our work
The Matalan Sporting Promise aims to get kids active by providing support to schools on two levels. At primary level, it provides resource and training that will help teachers to deliver high quality PE and sport. It also aims to re-engage those secondary school pupils who are not attracted to traditional sports by offering a range of new and exciting sporting choices.
Over 3,000 schools and 15,000 teachers will benefit from Matalan Sporting Promise in the first year, with a view to covering a huge number of schools over the next three years.
With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games less than two years away, five-time Olympic Champion Sir Steve Redgrave believes that, despite the economic challenges the country currently faces, there has never been a more important time to be increasing sporting opportunities for young people.
Philip Moore, Tchoukball UK's Chief Executive, said:
"This is a really exciting project for tchoukball. School children always take our sport well because it's new, fun and because of that - everyone starts on a level playing field. Working with Matalan and the Youth Sport Trust will add a major boost to our work and help us reach even more young people."
Sir Steve Redgrave said:
'Matalan Sporting Promise is all about getting more youngsters involved in PE and sport. It’s about giving them the very best opportunities to access sport and make sure that sport is delivered in a way that’s fun and enjoyable for young people of all ages and abilities.
'In these difficult economic times it would be easy to see how school sport could become less of a priority. However, sport has a unique ability to transform lives – it can build self esteem and confidence in young people, it can increase achievement and attainment at school and it plays a huge part in ensuring young people lead healthy, active lives.
'The partnership between Matalan and the Youth Sport Trust shows we can, and should, continue to support and invest in school sport.'
Paul Gilbert, Chief Executive of Matalan, said:
'In the same way that Matalan’s core belief is to provide access to quality products for everybody, with great service all delivered in a pleasurable shopping environment at a great price, we also want to provide that same freedom from compromise when it comes to everybody’s access and availability to participate in sport.
'As a family retailer, we are really proud to be involved in such an obviously worthwhile programme, which we truly believe can provide a great impact within our store communities.'
Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:
'We know that when PE and sport is good, the gains for young people and for our society at large are significant. We are delighted that Matalan share our passion for sport and by working in partnership with them we will encourage many thousands more young people to get active.
Whilst in undoubtedly challenging economic times, it is fantastic to see that a retail giant like Matalan understand the enormous benefits of sport and support the power it has to unite, inspire, motivate, and challenge our young people.'
ENDS
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Notes to Editors:
About the Youth Sport Trust
The Youth Sport Trust is a charity established in 1994 to transform the lives of young people through PE and sport. Our mission is to improve both the quantity and quality of PE in schools and to inspire and engage all young people in sporting activity – whether it is to lead, coach, compete, play or volunteer. Find out more by visiting www.youthsporttrust.org
About Matalan
Matalan was founded in 1985 and has become one of the UK’s leading retailers offering quality fashion and homewares at affordable everyday prices. With over 11 million active customers, Matalan now trades from over 5 million square feet in 206 stores with 16,000 employees, as well as being the first value retailer to sell most of its range online. Find out more by visiting www.matalan.co.uk