Playing Our Part In London 2012’s International Legacy

Teachers from Callington Community College have recently returned from a visit to Government Secondary School Jibi, which is situtated on the outskirts of the capital city of Abuja in central Nigeria. 

The purpose of the visit was to support the development of PE and school sport in both schools in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games.  Michelle Roberts, Assistant Head Teacher, and Keith Hubbard, Head of Construction at the College, visited the secondary school in Abuja.

GSS Jibi School has limited facilities and equipment with large class sizes, some with over 50 pupils in a class.  However, despite a lack of facilities they made their visitors feel very welcome.  Michelle stated "We arrived at the school not really knowing what challenges we would face; however we were made to feel very welcome and we were guests of honour at the school's Sports Day.  The day opened with a cultural dance and a parade of students in their house colours.  The athletics events were run on a sand/gravel track with many students running in bare feet.  Standards were high and the prizes for the athletes were buckets, which really brought home to me the purpose and values of competition, and how much we can learn and the importance of music and dance to a sporting event."

Michelle and Keith introduced tag rugby and Ultimate Frisbee to the school and discussed ways of engaging girls in PE and school sports.  Sports leadership was also discussed, which is an area for development in the Nigerian school.

GSS Jibi has now started to introduce the new sports and is currently developing sports leadership.  A return visit for the Nigerian teachers is planned for June 2010, when further training and support will be provided.  The Nigerian teachers will also have the opportunity to work with some sports leaders.  It is also intended that the Nigerian teachers will be able to work with Callington students and develop a cultural element to sports festivals. The College is also hoping to develop an international inspiration student group which will provide students at the college with the opportunity to have a voice internationally, and the chance to work with students from a range of different cultures and countries.

This is the first time that an Olympic and Paralympic Organising Committee has launched a programme like this with the London Games as the catalyst for this ambitious engagement through sport programme.

Launched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in India last year, International Inspiration uses the power of sport to change the lives of children and young people around the world.  From Azerbaijan to Zambia, International Inspiration empowers young people, many in difficult situations in their countries, to become leaders in their schools and communities, building their confidence and self esteem, as well as encouraging them to realise their ambition and full potential.  They then become powerful advocates for change, helping others to improve their lives. 

School partnerships are an integral part of International Inspiration, providing an opportunity for teachers, children and young people to develop and share innovative approaches to PE, sport and play in the classroom and their local community as well as learn about and understand each other's cultures, experiences and international development issues.  Government Secondary School Jibi is one of 150 schools in the UK currently linked to a school overseas through International Inspiration.

Seb Coe, Chair of London 2012, said: "Our vision is to use the power of the Games to inspire change - and changing lives is the driving force behind our plans. We took a very clear promise to Singapore - to encourage the youth of the world to choose sport - and GSS Jibi's involvement is another key step towards delivering that promise.  Sport can be a great force for good, and the International Inspiration programme will play a real role in improving the lives of young people around the world through sport." 

Find out more about International Inspiration here