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Matalan Sporting Promise launched in association with Youth Sport Trust

Britain’s greatest ever Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave has spoken of the critical importance of investing in school sport as he launches Matalan Sporting Promise.

Sir Steve Redgrave, Hannah and Ruth Goulding — Ruth Goulding, Sir Steve Redgrave and Hannah Goulding

Matalan has partnered with the Youth Sport Trust and launched a new initiative to get more young people taking part in sports.

Pat Hawkins, President of UKCA said:

The UK Cheerleading Association are excited to be working in partnership with the YST on the Matalan Sporting Promise project, delivering Street Cheer to hundreds of high schools throughout the UK within the next 12 months.

Pat Hawkins, President of UKCA at YST Launch — Pat Hawkins (2nd from Left) With Sir Steve Redgrave and other heads of UK NGBs

The Matalan Sporting Promise aims to get kids active by providing support to schools on two levels. At primary level, it provides resource and training that will help teachers to deliver high quality PE and sport. It also aims to re-engage those secondary school pupils who are not attracted to traditional sports by offering a range of new and exciting sporting choices.

Street Cheer at the Mataln Sporting Promise Launch — The Matalan Sporting Promise Launch

Over 3,000 schools and 15,000 teachers will benefit from Matalan Sporting Promise in the first year, with a view to covering a huge number of schools over the next three years.
With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games less than two years away, five-time Olympic Champion Sir Steve Redgrave believes that, despite the economic challenges the country currently faces, there has never been a more important time to be increasing sporting opportunities for young people.

Street Cheer with Tom from Youth Sport Trust — Hannah and Ruth with Tom - a Young Athlete Ambassador

Street Cheer is one of the sports being offered as part of the Matalan Sporting Promise. Hannah Goulding, present at the launch said:

The launch was an exciting and inspiring day for all involved.

The energy from the Street Cheer Crew was evident for all to see and feel. It was an absolute pleasure to work with the group of young people who were so eager to get involved and try new skills. We all had an absolute ball and there was some great potential within the group.

Tom, our young athlete Ambassador was welcomed into the group and he had some killer moves tucked away that impressed us all.

It was a wonderful experience and it is fantastic to be involved in such an exciting new project.