Words: Charlie Pyatt
West Leeds MP Rachel Reeves launched the West Leeds School Sports Partnership (SSP) skipping competition at Lower Wortley Primary School this week.
The partnership has worked with Skipping School, a local company run by father and daughter team Chris and Jodi Corcoran, for many years.
In previous years Chris and Jodi have provided outstanding coaching to very many West Leeds primary schools.
This had then led to local competitions for Yr 2 and Yr4 groups held at Pudsey Sports Centre and Leeds West Academy with the city finals held at Leeds Beckett University. Pudsey Bolton Royd Yr 2 have recently been Leeds champions.
Under lockdown restriction Skipping School has worked with the Sports Partnership to move the coaching sessions online.
Skipping is a fantastic activity for developing physical fitness, speed, agility and coordination. Minimal equipment is needed just a skipping rope and only a small space is needed to practice in. Lower Wortley have invested in enough skipping ropes so all children have a rope each to practice their skills regularly.
Rachel Reeves gave her support to all children in West Leeds primary schools being able to access regular PE, School Sports and Physical Activity as they return to school.
She joined in with a coaching session delivered by skipping schools to pupils at Lower Wortley Primary school and launch a competition for all West Leeds SSP Primary School. The prizes are class set of skipping ropes two for the best Key Stage 1 entries and 2 sets for Key Stage 2 classes. Schools simply have to send in videos of skipping activity in their school and Chris and Jodi will choose the winners.
The Sports Partnership is planning a wide variety of opportunities for pupils to be involved in sport and physical activity in the summer term such as multi skills, cricket, rounders, football, tri golf, outdoor adventurous activities, cross country running, A ‘This Girl Can’ event at Leeds Beckett University and many other events.
Covid restrictions permitting the highlight will be the Armley, Farnley, Bramley and Pudsey Olympics which are planned for June at The John Charles Centre Sport.
These will give the chance for pupils to compete on top class athletics track and hopefully be inspired to be involved in sport and physical activity for many years to come.
The SSP thanks Rachel Reeves for launching the skipping event and for supporting School Sport and Physical Activity in West Leeds Schools.