Junior Xsport: Schools take up sport baton.

AT THE same time as the Olympic torch travels the globe on its way to Athens, the Pensby School Sport Partnership was launched with an Olympic type ceremony.

A similar baton set off on a significant journey around a number of Secondary Schools on the Wirral to celebrate the beginning of a new School Sport Co-ordinator Programme.

It is hoped the relay will symbolise the commitment of all the schools to the partnership as it visited a series of athletics events including a Sport Relief Mile.

Partnership Development Manager, Dan Keefe, explained, ``The Olympic ideal is all about unity, participation and striving to achieve. We wanted these qualities reflected in our partnership and hence the idea behind the launch. ''

Pensby High School for Boys has been chosen as the centre of a new initiative involving six secondary schools and 30 primary schools from Deeside and Wallasey, with the aim of raising standards in PE and School Sport.

Headteacher Phil Sheridan said: ``Investing in PE and school sport can promote health, lead to pupil concentration, attainment, behaviour and self-esteem. We are delighted to be part of the programme. ''

Each of the partner secondary schools will have funding to release a PE specialist to act as a school sport co-ordinator, a role involving developing a more coordinated approach towards strategic planning for PE and school sport.

This relates, in particular, to curricular provision, out of hours learning, school liaison, club links and coaching and leadership, with the goal of promoting healthy, active lifestyles by giving every child, regardless of age, gender and ability, the best possible PE and school sport opportunities.

To find out more about the Pensby School Sport Partnership or to inquire about sponsorship, contact Dan Keefe on 01516482111.

CAPTION(S):

CODE: N/A; WINNING TEAM: Back row, left to right: Dave Simmonds, Dan Keefe (Partnership Development Manager), Jane Molyneux , Gareth Roberts, Phil Sheridan, Chris Green. Front: Joseph Parsonage, Ryan Flegg, Katie Hayes, Yasmin Douglas.