Sport
“For each individual, sport is a possible source for inner improvement.”
Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement – and a teacher
London’s successful bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games is improving the availability of sports facilities for Hackney.
More people getting involved in sporting activity will lead to a healthier, happier Hackney as well as supporting Hackney’s rising stars to achieve the best they can in their chosen sports.
Everyone can get involved in sporting activity as part of the Games. If you want to find out more about what’s going on, contact the 2012 Unit at the council.
What's happening in Hackney
- Identifying talented young people
- New taster sessions in Olympic and Paralympic sports
- The Hackney Youth Sports Fund
- London Youth Games and Mini Games and Hackney’s Annual Sports Awards
- Mini Athletics in schools
- Increased awareness and opportunity to participate in disabled sports with an inclusive approach
Hackney’s Personal Bests
Hackney Personal Bests is a schools programme that aims to raise awareness of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and get young people living a more active and healthy lifestyle. The schools are selected with guidance from the School Sports partnership, Healthy Schools and with data provided by the City and Hackney Primary Care Trust.
First, children are introduced to a series of Olympic and Paralympic disciplines like javelin, sprint relays, long jump and boccia. They are provided with equipment that the schools are able to keep afterwards. All the children record their best scores after each event.
At the end of the first session the children are told that their baseline has been set, and they will be competing against their own personal best scores. Children have time to practise during PE lessons as well as in their own time to prepare for their very own ‘Personal Bests Final’. The children also have an inspirational lesson with Hackney Paralympian Dervis Konuralp and complete a curriculum linked 2012 related health workbook. The 12 children that show the greatest levels of improvement represent their school at the Personal Best Finals; 260 children participated at 2009's finals with the eventual winners being Seabright School. Of the participants 68% had not represented their school at sport before.
In the first year, 579 pupils from 13 schools took part in the Personal Bests scheme. In 2009, 1,007 pupils from 26 schools have taken part. The programme has delivered over 200 hours of physical activity for around 4,000 children. In 2010, all year 5 pupils in most of Hackney's schools will get the opportunity to take part in Personal Bests.
Check out what happened at the 2009 Personal Bests final.
Hackney Youth Sports Fund
The Youth Sports Fund supports young people to help them realise their potential.
The fund helps with the cost of training and taking part in competitions and club development. If you are a talented individual and live or study in Hackney or a progressive club in the borough striving to be the best, you could be eligible to apply for a Hackney Youths Sports grant. Get in touch with the Hackney Council 2012 team for more details.
New Age Games
In 2008 the New Age Games got older people in Hackney involved in Olympic and Paralympic sports, promoting the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.
The sessions took place at day and community sessions as well as weekly sessions at Kings Hall Leisure Centre.
There were 171 people taking part in the New Age Games, 12 of whom had severe learning disabilities.
The Games used a personal best system meaning everyone could compete on an equal basis. People tried to beat their own scores over 32 sessions, getting ready to represent their day centre at the New Age Games Finals. Eighty older people attended the finals at Kings Hall.
The programme is due to start again at the end of summer 2009. It will be visiting day centres throughout the borough including the Marie Lloyd Centre, Median Road and the Sam & Annie. Get in touch if you want to find out more, or if you think your day centre could benefit from the New Age Games.
Activities:
- Athletics
- Gym
- Walking challenge
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Archery
Get in touch with the 2012 Sport unit:
Thomas Smith – Sports Officer (Disability)
David Toombs – Sports Officer (Health)
Hackney Council’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Unit
3rd Floor
2 Hillman Street
Hackney E8 1FB
Tel: 020 8356 3896 / 0208356 3897
Email: thomas.smith@hackney.gov.uk / david.toombs@hackney.gov.uk
Page updated: 2 Aug 2010