More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Paralympic gold medallist Charlotte Evans MBE has helped design a new set of challenge cards for the national School Games programme.
The cards were launched at the end of last week to mark one year until the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing.
The VI Skiing challenge cards, initially created as part of the Kent School Games programme, were designed and developed by Jon Rye, programme director at Bubble & Scruff, and Evans, who won gold as guide alongside Kelly Gallagher in 2014.
Evans, 29, said: “Skiing is an incredible sport, however a sport not many people get the opportunity to be part of. When I was asked to work with Jon on this project, I was extremely excited and couldn’t wait to help progress this.
“The London 2012 Paralympic Games changed everything for us, TV coverage of Paralympic sport was shown and had extended viewing hours. This allowed us to have more exposure ready for the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games when extended coverage was provided and people had a choice to watch the Games. This project will allow schools to help children understand visual impairment and the basics of skiing but, most importantly, will help children work on their communication skills. I really hope teachers will enjoy this new resource and I look forward to seeing it be rolled out.”
The cards will provide Primary School PE leaders and teachers with a fully inclusive sport format that supports both personal best challenges and inter-school competitions, as children and young people work on their teamwork and communication skills.
The School Games is a Sport England and National Lottery funded programme, delivered across the county by Kent Sport and a team of School Games organisers, and aims to provide competitive school sport opportunities to all young people.
Rye added: “It will bring a new and exciting sport into the school environment. The resource, in a nationally recognised format, will provide teachers with the opportunity to engage children and young people in fully inclusive challenges, at a time when support is needed to improve physical and mental wellbeing and social skills.”
