NASUWT, the teachers’ union, has been announced as the latest national supplier of the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017.
The unique and exciting arrangement means thousands of pupils from across the UK will benefit from both in school activities and by experiencing the action firsthand at the Championships which take place at the London Stadium from 14 to 23 July.
The NASUWT will be supporting the official education programme of the Summer of World Athletics – Starting Blocks – which is designed to inspire, motivate and engage young people. Starting Blocks provides free, curriculum-linked resources for teachers of pupils aged five to 14 and is available to all schools across the UK.
As part of the wider education programme, over 100,000 schoolchildren from across the UK will attend the World Para Athletics Championships.
Niels de Vos, Championship Director for the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017, said: “We are delighted to have NASUWT on board to provide this exciting package of activities for children and young people to become involved in the build up to the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017. We want as many pupils as possible to be able to come and experience the world class action taking place in their city. These initiatives all help ensure a lasting legacy from the Championships.”
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “The NASUWT is proud to be supporting the Starting Blocks programme which will help further advance the goals of increasing access to sport for children.
“The Union has a long tradition of supporting and increasing access to sport for disabled and able-bodied children and young people and elevating the profile of Para athletics is hugely important.
“This programme will help inspire children and young people to get involved in athletics as participants and spectators and by providing creative and practical teaching resources. Starting Blocks is giving teachers invaluable support to help them motivate and encourage pupils to achieve and succeed in this area.”
NASUWT represents members in all sectors of education and teachers in all roles including heads and deputies. The NASUWT is the largest union representing teachers and headteachers throughout the UK. The union was previously a supporter of the successful UKA education programmes in the 2000s.
This year will bring together more than 3000 world-class athletes from more than 200 countries, who will compete in 30 sessions across 20 jam-packed and action-fueled days as both the World Para Athletics Championships (14-23 July) and IAAF World Championships London 2017 (04-13 August) are hosted in London for the first time ever.
