Leeds Rhinos Foundation Partner Schools Officer Richard Cattley is focussing on sporting fundamentals this school term, with a series of events targeting the fundamentals of movement and skill, at the familiar surroundings of Armley feeder school Swallow Hill Community College.
The first of the proposed Fundamental skills events saw seven of the Armley cluster primary schools, who are all part of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Partner Schools programme, taking part in the event from Armley Primary School, Christ Church, Castleton, Holy Family, Five Lanes, Whingate and St Bart’s.
All schools have attended the college on a number of occasions this academic year for tournaments in a range of sports, all organised by their partner schools officer and designed to provide a chance for the children to put into practice some of the skills they have worked on in school PE lessons during the year.
The tournament format saw small sided teams competing against one another in events that focus on the fundamentals of movement and fundamental sports skills such as: running, jumping, throwing, catching and changing direction at speed, all split into a morning and afternoon session that comprised over 300 total children taking part over the course of the day.
The term started with year one students attending the first tournament after the Easter break and will continue with the years two, three and four from each of the schools, servicing well over 1000 children by the end of the spring term.
Richard Cattley commented on his pilot event for the year 1 group, which was bolstered once again by his team of sports leaders from Swallow Hill Community College:
“This was the first time I had run such an event so I knew that there was potential for a few hiccups in the running of the event. Thankfully though the leaders we have here at Swallow Hill are excellent and they were on hand to help each session run smoothly.
“I was given plenty of support from Swallow Hill too, who allowed the 24 strong group of leaders to come off timetable to assist in the running of the events, such is their commitment to student enrichment.”
Providing a learning experience for both sports leaders and students through the running of the cluster schools tournaments has been high on the agenda for Richard, who aims to provide a sporting platform for the Armley schools, many of whom will attend Swallow Hill after primary school:
“After the first event the feedback we’ve had from the primary schools about the leaders that was really positive and it’s great that all the local primary school kids get to come here and experience first-hand the great facilities here at Swallow Hill.
“These fundamentals of movement and fundamental sports skills are essential for the long term development of each child’s physical literacy which will ultimately give them the foundations to become a well-rounded sports person.”
For more information on the Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s partner school scheme contact:
jonny.wainhouse@leedsrugbyfoundation.org