Bristol Festival of School Sport and Culture
The Bristol Festival of School Sport and
Culture involves over 1,300 pupils, 18 schools and 150 volunteers
who come together to make one fantastic event.
The Festival consists of many sports/activities that are
Olympic/Paralympic events. However, many of these, such as table
tennis, rowing, judo, and cycling are activities that Bristol
school pupils have had limited exposure to. This means that young
people are getting new opportunities and it also creates a legacy
for National Governing Bodies of Sport by allowing increased
participation and the activation of new clubs, volunteers and
coaches. Like the Games, activities are available for both able and
non-able bodied young people.
The Festival is unique in the young audience it aims to attract.
These are pupils who do not typically get the chance to represent
their school in sport. This may be due to their disillusionment
with curriculum sport; perhaps they struggle with classroom
engagement or may show a reluctance to be active.
A legacy will be created when young people have the opportunity to
try something new, be part of a ‘festival type’ atmosphere and
enjoy a different competitive environment. This will have a
positive effect on pupils who will have a new enthusiasm for sport,
culture and physical activity and will experience increased
self-belief and esteem. It will also increase public support for
and engagement with activities linked to the London 2012 Games.