With the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games fast approaching, the Essex School Games is helping schools around the county support the event by teaming up with two Team England athletes, offering online resources and challenges for everyone to get involved.
England athletes Jess Tappin and Dan Putnam are the 2022 Essex School Games ambassadors and have set challenges for young people in Essex ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which takes place in July and August of this year. Jess and Dan will be putting in some appearances around schools in the county as well as appearing at the two Essex Schools Games events in the Summer.
Designed in partnership with Essex’s School Games Organisers and young people across the county, the challenges and resources will engage new and different children and young people in the Essex School Games. There will be a clear focus on tackling inequalities whilst providing a universal offer for all children and young people to access and have positive and meaningful experiences.
Athletes, Jess and Dan, commented: “To see the Commonwealth Games back in the UK is not only an honour, but a huge, exciting opportunity. We hope to use this summer to inspire the younger generation and build a lasting legacy of opportunities for them across Essex. Our challenges and resources harness the power of team-work, sportsmanship, determination and ensure everyone simply has a bit of fun!”
The culmination of the 2021-2022 School Games coincides with the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the international celebration of sport by the nations of the Commonwealth nations that takes place every four years, and this year, on home soil in our very own city of Birmingham. To mark this special occasion Active Essex will stage a number of events and activities linking the Essex School Games with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
A summer of celebration and School Games kicked off at the end of April in the first face-to-face mass participation event since the pandemic, for Cross-Country. Over 1000 pupils travelled to Southend helping young people build confidence and learn teamwork, contributing to the development of healthy habits through discovering their love of being active.
Lee Monk, Active Essex Children and Young Person lead, said: “The School Games initiative is part of Active Essex’s core programme to engage children and inspire them to lead healthy and active lifestyles. We’re so pleased to be working with Jess and Dan to produce a fantastic programme full of educational activities, challenges and resources for schools to be inspired by the upcoming Commonwealth Games. It’s important we use this opportunity to continue to provide positive, safe and enjoyable experiences of school sport and physical activity for children in Essex.”
For more information on the Commonwealth Games and how schools/young people can get involved, head to: www.activeessex.org/children-young-people/commonwealth-games/
