Surge of school sport variety

And it is set to get even better, said Guernsey Sports Commission director Steve Sharman.

‘We are seeing a major upturn in the opportunities available to all children,’ said Sharman, while recognising it was not universal.

‘Every school that is engaged is increasing the opportunities for pupils in terms of the expansion of the [sports] curriculum and also after-schools activity is being increased,’ he added.

Politically, in fighting obesity and the causes of ever-more sedentary lifestyles, the commission’s work in schools is seen by local government as vital.

Back in September, the States voted to support the Active 8 Plan for Sport and the recently published Health Improvement Commission report into children’s physical activity highlighted the low number of young children in Guernsey getting the recommended amount of exercise – and in particular girls.

‘The results clearly show that while some children are sufficiently active to get the mental, physical and social benefits being active brings, there is a need to increase the amount of activity that young people can access throughout their day,’ said Alun Williams, the Health Improvement Commission’s Be Active Lead.

But through the joint work of the two commissions the fightback has started to the extent that there is an officer based in every primary school [and] in secondary schools there is this broadening of PE curriculums.

That means it is no longer just about football, netball, hockey and athletics.

Sharman said that schools are indulging, among others, in fencing, table tennis, archery, bowls, gymnastics, yoga, dance, golf and water-based activities as a result of access to quarries.

‘The offer has never been better in secondary education and great credit to the PE teachers who have shifted and embraced what we are trying to do,’ he added.

In addition, the commission is working hard to make available Beau Sejour Centre for the Town schools and La Mare.

Sharman goes as far as saying that ‘the limit of our imagination is the limit of our imagination’.

He added: ‘The days of every pupil doing the same across every age group have gone.’

It hasn’t been easy to achieve, however, and Sharman admitted there were challenges surrounding after-school activity in some schools.