Mini Olympics

The London 2012 Games might still be a year away, but staff from Blackburn Rovers Community Trust have been building Olympic fever across the region.

The Trust’s sports coaches have been delivering a series of master class road shows to special education schools from Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle, Rossendale and Hyndburn, aimed at increasing participation in a variety of Olympic sports.

Each road show offered taster sessions in badminton, table-tennis, volleyball, handball and athletics, while workshops were also delivered, covering topics including healthy living, diet and nutrition and the benefits of physical activity.

Claire Newton, Rovers’ Premier League 4 Sport co-ordinator, said: “The sessions were a great success with both the pupils and teachers. The aim was to raise awareness of the Olympic sports and to create a fun festival Olympic spirit – thus signposting the participants to local sports clubs so that they could continue with the sport.”

All participating schools were then invited to attend a Mini Olympics event, held at Ewood Park. Over 100 young people were present on the days, where they were able to put into practice the skills and drills learnt on the road shows.

Claire added: “It was fantastic to see all the young people, whose confidence, self-esteem and physical ability had grown throughout the sessions, come together at the Mini Olympics event, which enabled all the special school pupils to compete against each and create a festival atmosphere.”