06.08.12
Olympics call for sporting opportunities in the UK
The British Olympic Association has called for a ‘step-change’ in sports policy in the UK, after a weekend of gold medals for Team GB.
The culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt admitted that sports provision in schools was “patchy”, and called for inspirational teachers to help motivate young people.
Lord Moynihan, chairman of the BOA, said at a news conference: “For the last seven years we have been treading water and if we can’t do something about it now we never will.
“We are calling on the Government today to use the momentum that has created so much inspiration in this country to create practical opportunities in schools, clubs, local communities for kids to get into sport and stay in sport.
“If we could have more at the primary school level introduced to a variety of activities so they get an opportunity to find out what they might be good at. Half the people don’t even find out if they have an ability. There needs to be a strategy discussion around how we could have travelling coaches that go around introducing people to sport. There is such a lot that could be done.”
Hunt agreed and told the BBC: “At the moment school sport provision is patchy in some places and we need to do what we can to make sure that the very best examples are spread throughout the whole country and this is absolutely going to be a focus over the next few months and one of the things we really want to take away from these Games.”
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