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The Umbro Community Sports Project Award
Winner: Deans Primary School
“Run To The Beat”
Headteacher: Lorna McDonald
Sponsored by Umbro
Umbro, Ltd., a subsidiary of NIKE, Inc., is the original Manchester based football brand that invented sportswear and sports tailoring. Umbro’s first major football kit was made for Manchester City in 1934, a kit they won the FA Cup in. Today, the company combines its heritage in sports tailoring with modern football culture to create groundbreaking and iconic football apparel, footwear and equipment that blend performance and style.
With the launch of “Umbro in the community”, Umbro considers this award to be an opportunity to use sport for positive social change and to encourage young people to take part in sport throughout the UK.
Umbro’s director of sustainable business & innovation, Carole Greenwood, said: “An award that encourages sport, young people and the community to come together is a perfect match for Umbro and its Community Investment program and its campaign to turn sport and physical activity into a fundamental right for every young person.”
Carole Robinson (left) from Community Initiatives Associates and Esther Rantzen CBE present Angela Wood and Lorna McDonald with The Umbro Sports Community Project Award.
Through a health initiative, this school wanted to raise their profile as well as fundraise within the community and improve health and attitudes to exercise.
Discussions were held with the local running club and the Active Schools Coordinator. Angela Wood said: “As we are a school in a deprived area we decided that this project would enable us to fundraise for the school giving us money to build a ‘Trim Track’ which could be used throughout the year.”
An idea was put forward for a ‘fun run’ over a five kilometre course for over 16-year-olds, and a two kilometre and one kilometre run which children could take part in along with their parents. Soon the school had established a committee who would meet and work together to gain sponsorship for the event. The route was then mapped out by the local running club with the assistance of the police.
Pupils were set the task of promoting the event, now named Run To The Beat, and did so by making posters and even providing a movie presentation to show other schools.
The event was a massive success and has now become an event held every other year. Pupils have since shown a willingness to carry on running and also mothers are running in a small group in preparation for the event which was first held in May 2010.
The £5000 trim track was purchased with the money raised through the event and is used regularly during PE lessons and playtime. Whilst improving community links at the school, parental involvement in school events has also been boosted.
Finalists
Penryn College – Cornwall
“Police Community Sports Club”
Headteacher: Marie Hunter
Ifield School – Gravesend, Kent
“PE Enrichment Programme”
Headteacher: Pam Jones
