Through the National School Sport Strategy the Government are revitalising competitive school sport in England.
The 2005-06 School Sport Survey showed the following data for competitive sport for the three School Sport Partnerships (SSPs) which fall within Romford constituency:
Coopers Company & Coborn SSP
All schools held a competitive sports day;
72 per cent. of pupils were involved in intra-school competition; and
35 per cent. of pupils from years 4-11 were involved in inter-school competition.
Davenant Foundation SSP
All schools held a competitive sports day;
77 per cent. of pupils were involved in intra-school competition; and
43 per cent. of pupils from years 4-11 were involved in inter-school competition.
Emerson Park SSP
All schools held a competitive sports day;
72 per cent. of pupils were involved in intra-school competition; and
31 per cent. of pupils from years 4-11 were involved in inter-school competition.
Nationally the 2005-06 survey showed that:
97 per cent. of schools held a competitive sports day;
71 per cent. of pupils were involved in intra-school competition; and
37 per cent. of pupils from years 4-11 were involved in inter-school competition, a rise of 12 per cent. on 2003-04.
To continue to improve the quality and quantity of competitive school sport we are implementing a network of Competition Managers across School Sport Partnerships. Currently schools within the Davenant Foundation SSP are benefiting from access to a team of Competition Managers appointed from September 2006.
Sport England advise that in 2006 1,040 young people were engaged in preliminary London Youth Games events in the London borough of Havering. An additional 386 young people went to the finals, 315 of which attended the main games and 71 attended the mini-games at Crystal Palace.
In addition, we have established the UK School Games (UKSG). This is an annual event that will become the pinnacle of competitive school sport. The 2006 UKSG took place in Glasgow with 1,200 young competitors. The 2007 UKSG will take place in Coventry.