GM School Games Organisers recognised by Government for their response to Covid-19

By GreaterSport | 13 May 2020 | TAGS: "GMSchoolGames", #KeepGMMoving, School Games, Children and young people, Covid-19

Following the cancellation of the Greater Manchester School Games and schools closing their gates to all pupils on the 20^th March, it meant that the Greater Manchester School Games Organisers (GM SGOs) were going to have to do things differently. No longer would they be running their packed calendar of competitions and activities but they were now called upon to help keep all young people active, healthy and happy in their own homes during the pandemic.

School Games Organisers nationally, as directed by Youth Sport Trust, were given a new adapted work programme. They were asked to respond to the needs of those schools still providing care to pupils and to support children, young people, and their families, in reducing sedentary behaviour and boredom whilst home schooling. Their role was to use technology in a positive way to foster good daily physical activity habits. This new challenge gave the GM SGOs an opportunity to work in a more collaborative way. The group, alongside GreaterSport, have come together to share and create resources which will help support young people across Greater Manchester to continue to stay active, healthy and happy.

This one page document summarises who and what the GM SGOs are doing during this time. The web page contains a variety of resources suitable for primary and secondary school children, both in school and at home.

The fantastic efforts by SGOs across the country have not gone unnoticed. On 15^th April MP Nigel Huddleston, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, wrote to the network of School Games Organisers, to personally thank them for the work they have done and continue to do to keep our children active.

As with all other networks and organisations during the pandemic, the GM SGOs will continue to be flexible and adapt to support the needs of young people across Greater Manchester in the best way they can. Ensuring that as and when the time is right they will be in a position to support their schools and young people back into education, physical activity, school sport and, hopefully, competition.

For more information on your local School Games offer during this time, please visit the Keep GM School Games Moving webpage here and see the Borough SGO Website section.