Announcing ‘Active Skills for Life’

Research released in Loughborough, UK, shows the power of PE In schools and marks the launch of British Triathlon’s Active Skills for Life campaign during School Sports Week. British Triathlon, the national governing body for triathlon, is proud to have officially launched the highly anticipated new and improved Active Skills for Life initiative on Thursday, 22 Jun 2023, during School Sports Week (19-23 June).

This groundbreaking initiative aims to address the challenges in school sports provision, empowering children with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to lead healthy and active lives on and off the playing field.

The initiative was officially launched today with the support of two young, future stars of British Triathlon: Connor Bentley and Olivia Mathias (pictured). The two gold medallists treated children from St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Quorn, Loughborough to a masterclass in the skills required to participate in and enjoy the three sports which make up triathlon.

Recent statistics revealed by British Triathlon reveal the need for heightened action within schools and education organisations. 80% of parents* believe that physical activity is a fundamental component of their child’s mental wellbeing, and 74% believe that physical education provision in primary schools should teach children the skills required to remain physically active throughout their adult lives.

Andy Salmon, CEO of British Triathlon said:

“We know that children can establish, build, grow and develop healthy habits from a young age. Our latest programme has been designed and developed over the past two years and looks to address inequalities within PE and School Sport provision at Key Stage two and hopes to give children all the confidence they need to enjoy sport and continue their sporting journeys if they so wish outside of a school or educational setting.”

Further statistics show that 30% of parents* lack confidence in their child’s ability to safely ride a bicycle on the road, while 23%* express concerns about their children’s swimming proficiency before leaving primary school.

Helen Marney, Development Director of British Triathlon added:

“These findings add to what we already know about competency and confidence in core physical literacy sports such as swim, bike and run. The government’s guidance says that all children should be able to swim 25 m unaided and use a range of strokes effectively by the time they leave primary school. We know that only 72% of children** aged 11 achieve this. In less affluent families this lowers to just 35%.

As life skills, the ability to swim, cycle and run are important for young people to master early, enabling them to stay safe as well as continue leading an active and healthy life into their teenage years and beyond. We want the Active Skills for Life initiative to give primary school children the confidence, capability and opportunity to build these essential life skills and realise their benefits, especially those children and young people who experience greater barriers and challenges in doing so .” 

British Triathlon’s new and improved Active Skills for Life initiative offers a comprehensive range of resources and activities that are both fun and inclusive. Its goal is to encourage children to embrace an active lifestyle, develop physical literacy in the core life skills of swim, bike and run and develop a lifelong love for sport and physical activity whilst supporting the curriculum for Key Stage Two.

Connor Bentley

Connor Bentley, GB Triathlete said: “I started my sporting journey while I was at primary school, competing in cross country and swimming galas. At my secondary school, Adams’ Grammar (now Haberdashers’ Adams), I was given opportunities to try a variety of sports. Encouraged and supported by the teachers, my confidence developed. I really took to cross-country running and, from school competitions, I qualified to race for England. School played their part in developing me into the person and athlete I am today, where I now represent Team GB.”

Olivia Mathias

Olivia Mathias Gold Medallist said: “The Active Skills for Life initiative equips teachers and coaches with the resources they need to help as many children as possible to experience and develop a lifelong love of swimming, cycling and running. For me family support has been so important throughout my career, this is also something Active Skills for Life helps teach in schools. I am proud to be supporting British Triathlon’s Active Skills for Life initiative and I am confident this could be the start of a wave of new athletes into the sport.“ 

There are many ways schools and organisations, including holiday camps and third-party sports coaching organisations, can be part of Active Skills for Life. 

The initiative offers a range of resources and activities that are fun and inclusive, encouraging children to embrace an active lifestyle and develop a lifelong love for sports. Schools and organisations, such as holiday camps and third party sports coaching organisations can get involved in Active Skills for Life in various ways:

• Active Skills for Life Curriculum Pack: Schools can seamlessly integrate Active Skills for Life activities into their key stage two curriculum by utilising the printed resource pack and associated digital playbook which provides 6 week lesson plans in each swim, bike, run and transition skills
• Active Skills for Life Summer: British Triathlon offers an exciting summer bundle designed to support deliverers of holiday programmes in delivering and engaging children aged 7-14 with fun and inclusive activities during the holidays.
•  Active Skills for Life Award: Upskill teachers and coaches to feel competent and confident in delivering the Active Skills for Life programme in their setting, ensuring every child has a positive experience in swim, bike and run.
•  Activity Hub: Available to Active Skills for Life subscribers, this platform enables participants to enjoy swim, bike and run activities from the comfort of their home, allowing them to share the fun with friends and family. 

Andy Salmon added:

“We are thrilled to launch the Active Skills for Life campaign, a transformative initiative that addresses the pressing need to empower children and promote active lifestyles. By providing accessible resources and activities, we aim to instil confidence, foster a love for sports, and equip children with the skills and just as important confidence they need to lead healthy, active lives. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

To learn more about this groundbreaking initiative, access resources, or get involved, please visit our web site.

For further information please contact Becca at brandXchange  or 07342 075843

About Active Skills for Life:

The campaign offers a range of resources and activities that are fun and inclusive, encouraging children to embrace an active lifestyle and develop a lifelong love for sports. Schools and organisations, such as holiday camps and third party sports coaching organisations can get involved in Active Skills for Life in various ways:

• Active Skills for Life Curriculum Pack: Schools can seamlessly integrate Active Skills for Life activities into their key stage two curriculum by utilising the printed resource pack and associated digital playbook which provides 6 week lesson plans in each swim, bike, run and transition skills
• Active Skills for Life Summer: British Triathlon offers an exciting summer bundle designed to support deliverers of holiday programmes in delivering and engaging children aged 7–14 with fun and inclusive activities during the holidays.
• Active Skills for Life Award: Upskill teachers and coaches to feel competent and confident in delivering the Active Skills for Life programme in their setting, ensuring every child has a positive experience in swim, bike and run.
• Activity Hub: Available to our Active Skills for Life subscribers, this platform enables participants to enjoy swim, bike and run activities from the comfort of their home, allowing them to share the fun with friends and family.

Notes:

Connor Bentley is the World U23 and British elite national Triathlon champion. Olivia Mathias is a gold medalist in the Elite Women division at the 2019 Olsztyn ETU Sprint Triathlon European Cup.

About British Triathlon

British Triathlon is a Federation, whose members are the Home Nation’s Associations of Triathlon England, Triathlon Scotland and Welsh Triathlon.

British Triathlon is responsible for matters such as the Great Britain Elite, Paratriathlon and Age-Group Teams, British and International events, Anti-Doping and International Representation. British Triathlon also manages a number of services that are shared with the three Home Nations.

* © OnePoll 2023; base n = 500 parents of 7–11 year old children in England 

** Sport England Active Lives Children and Young People, December 2022