24 May 2010
Olympic bronze medallist Tasha Danvers joined forces with UKA and Aviva today to launch a brand new awards scheme - the Aviva UKA Academy Awards - giving every child in the UK the chance to be rewarded for their athletic skills.
Children from the age of seven can now earn Aviva UKA Academy badges and certificates and teachers and coaches are provided with easy to use wall chart planners and trackers to reward children for being involved in athletics. The Awards can be achieved by taking part in Track and Field, Indoor and Endurance based athletics activities.
Mother of one Danvers, who trains at the UKA National Performance Centre in Lee Valley, said: “The Aviva UKA Academy makes it easier for every child in the UK to get involved in our sport and the Awards have been designed to recognise achievements within that.
“Last year Christine (Ohuruogu) launched the Aviva UKA Academy and recently Jess (Ennis) launched the teacher focused programme, Aviva Elevating Athletics. As elite athletes it’s important that we inspire the next generation of British athletes. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity with London 2012 to get children involved in athletics. With the Aviva UKA Academy and schemes such as the Awards it means we’re in a great place as a sport to inspire those children who become interested in our brilliant sport.”
The Aviva UKA Academy Awards sit alongside five other grassroots projects within the Aviva UKA Academy, which is designed to engage children in athletics, encourage a healthy lifestyle and help to secure the legacy of the sport after the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Danvers added: “I always remember getting certificates in trampolining when I was at school. I was proud to and there was a real sense of excitement to receive a tangible award to take home.
“As a parent, I think it’s really important for children to work towards a goal and feel a sense of pride in what they have achieved.”
The redevelopment of the awards is the result of a pioneering new partnership between UKA, Aviva, the four Home Nation Federations and the English Schools Athletics Association to deliver a single athletics Awards across the UK
To watch a short interview with Tasha Danvers at the launch, visit: http://www.uka.org.uk/welcome/aviva-uka-academy-awards/
For more information on the Aviva UKA Academy and to register from 1st June 2010 visit: http://www.uka.org.uk/academy/
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