Guernsey Press

Multi-sport initiative for little ‘superstars’

CHILDREN with additional and complex needs can soon enjoy new multi-sport classes.

Published
Last updated
Barney Addis, who is looking forward to attending the LC Superstars classes. Image by Little Champs. (29120434)

Supported by the Health Improvement Commission’s Be Active programme, local business Little Champs is launching LC Superstars classes at the end of this month.

Little Champs specialises in delivering a range of sports to toddlers and preschoolers, to develop fundamental movement and basic sports skills.

‘I am delighted that the HIC has agreed to support Little Champs in launching these new multi-sport classes for children aged two to 10,’ said Laurel Le Tocq, who runs Little Champs.

‘I am so passionate about sport for all, and for the rights of all children to have equal access to activities regardless of their ability or disability. These new classes will fill an identified gap in the provision of sports classes for this demographic and will use a multi-sport approach to develop fundamental movement skills and basic sport skills.’

Qualified coaches Chris Le Ray and Lucas Barker will lead the classes, both bringing knowledge of working with children with special needs.

Laurel Le Tocq, who runs local business Little Champs which specialises in delivering a range of sports classes for toddlers and preschoolers. Image by Little Champs. (29120436)

‘A key part of the classes, as with all our classes, is parent/carer involvement,’ Mrs Le Tocq said.

‘Sport is great for bonding between a child and their parent/carer, as well as strengthening relationships between peers. By giving parents/carers the ideas, skills and confidence to work with their child through sport, we are most likely to encourage a more active lifestyle for them outside of class.’

With HIC’s financial support, classes are now available at lower cost.

Previously they could not be reduced due to necessary specialist coaching skills, hire of Beau Sejour’s fully accessible venue, and new equipment costs.

HIC’s Be Active lead Alun Williams said: ‘Helping more people to be more active more often is the goal of our Be Active workstream and it is so important that all children have opportunities to have fun and learn new active skills. The initial response to our partnership with Little Champs demonstrates how important this is to our community. We can’t wait to see how the LC Superstars get on.’