Student volunteers inspire local pupils to get active at Festival of School Sport

More than 750 pupils from 11 local state secondary schools will take part in the annual Bristol Festival of School Sport this week.

The event, at the University’s Coombe Dingle Sports Complex on Tuesday 7 June, is made possible by the enthusiastic support from around 125 student volunteers who hope to inspire the next generation of young people to try sports and activities such as Frisbee, basketball, volleyball, American football, hockey, lacrosse, boxing and teambuilding.

Former volunteer and current student intern James Moulder said:

“Taking part in leading activities at the festival last year was one of the highlights of being on the University’s Sport Leadership programme. I’m really excited by the prospect of being involved again.”

The Coaching, Leadership and Volunteering programme offered to students by Sport, Exercise and Health develops communication, organisation, problem solving and team work skills and enhances employability for the students involved.

The festival takes place during national Volunteer Week, which aims to highlight the amount of time and energy donated by people around the UK to various causes.

Robbie Fox, Sport Development Officer at the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, said:

“This year’s event is a personal best for us, as we have never had this many local school pupils involved in sport during one day at the University, as well as an unprecedented number of student and staff volunteers getting stuck in.”

The long term health and physical activity patterns of young people were recently highlighted as key issues in Government policy around sport and health. The Bristol Festival of School Sport aims to engage pupils in something new, and promote the idea that there is a different sport for everyone. It will include pupils with disabilities and special educational needs in the activities.

The Festival of School Sport is hosted by the University of Bristol and supported by John Rutley, honorary degree holder and local entrepreneur.