Team GB stars set to visit schools to inspire children

Team GB Olympians and Paralympians are set to embark on a nationwide programme of school visits.

Children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust will be supporting the stars to get into 100 classrooms this autumn and build on the inspiration and positivity children felt from watching them compete at this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
It comes as new research reveals the positive impact this summer’s events had on young people. A YouGov survey of 10 to 18-year-olds in Great Britain, commissioned by the Youth Sport Trust, reveals that 47% – approximately 3.1 million - watched at least some of the Olympic or Paralympic Games this summer.
 
With more athletes speaking out about wellbeing at this summer’s events, 37% of young people who watched the Games agreed it had made them think about their own mental health. Almost one-in-ten (9%) young viewers cited athletes speaking openly about their mental health as their favourite thing about the Games.
 
The research highlights the powerful potential that big sporting events like the Olympics and Paralympics have to build a lasting positive impact on young people. Among those who watched four in five (81%) agreed it made them feel happy; 71% agreed that it made them feel inspired to work hard at whatever they do; and 28% agree it had made them want to try a new sport, with a similar number (26%) saying that seeing new sports was their favourite thing about watching the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
The Youth Sport Trust will be working with UK Sport, British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association to seize on this opportunity and build a lasting legacy from the inspiration young people have felt this summer.
 
The charity, which pioneered the concept of using athlete mentors as role models to inspire young people, will be supporting Team GB Olympians and Paralympians to co-ordinate a programme of wellbeing-themed schools visits this term, targeting children who have suffered most during the pandemic. The stars will be supported by experienced YST Athlete Mentors to help bring their stories to life and talk to young people about recovery, rebuilding conference, aspirations, resilience and empathy.
 
The Youth Sport Trust YouGov survey found that 47% of young people agree athletes are important role models who can inspire them and their generation. One in four young people (24%) say that hearing athletes’ stories and how they have overcome challenges can help them in their lives.
 
Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “The performances of Team GB this summer in Tokyo were inspiring, uplifting, and reunited a nation after the challenges and restrictions of the last 18 months. The team thrilled us on the track, in the gymnasium and field of play, but also showed us what it means to be courageous, resilient, and aspirational. They reflected the diversity of our communities more than any other Games and gave children and young people a new set of heroes, heroines and role models.
 
“The inspiration young people felt from watching Team GB this summer offers a golden opportunity. We are inviting athletes to join us on a mission to improve young people’s wellbeing and raise the profile of sport as a powerful tool in tackling many of the issues facing young people today such as anxiety, a lack of self-confidence and social isolation.”