A CASH boost has been given to more than half of Medway’s 111 schools so sports lessons can be improved.

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded the Howard School Partnership £170,910 to provide after-school clubs and physical education lessons in a wide range of activities.

The financial support is for three years and will give more than 4,000 young people aged between five and 16, the chance to try sports such as badminton, archery, dance, boxercise, martial arts, yoga and fencing.

The partnership, which is based at the Howard School in Derwent Way, Rainham, is made up of 59 schools and strives to improve the quality of physical education and sports facilities in school.

The schools signed up to the partnership will use qualified coaches and teachers to deliver high quality sport to improve pupil’s fitness levels, self confidence and self esteem.

Children's services chief Cllr Les Wicks, said: “This financial support will give our young people the opportunity to try different sports in our drive to engage them in healthy living.”