SOFTBALL WILL BE INCLUDED ON SCHOOL GAMES MENU
2011-09-23

Beginning in January softball will be among the sports included on the menu of the government’s School Games programme in England.

This means that the sport can be chosen at a local level to be part of a major government initiative for school sport, with resources available to ensure that softball competition in schools is successful.

The School Games programme is designed as "a celebration of competitive sport" that will involve all young people in Years 3 to 13, regardless of ability or background. Government and Lottery funding will give thousands of young people the opportunity to take part in competitive sport through the programme.

The School Games are regarded as the linchpin of the government's policy for school sport.

The School Games is made up of four levels of competition, each featuring funding support for a package of events that will provide more opportunities for pupils to compete in a dynamic programme of regular intra-school and inter-school competitions.

These competitions will lead to the best performing school teams featuring at county or city level Festivals of Sport, with the most talented young sports people having the chance to represent their schools in a high-profile national event – the first of which will be held in and around the Olympic Park in 2012.

A new network of School Games Organizers is currently being appointed in 450 areas in England to ensure that the School Games are well planned and delivered.

The British Softball Federation development staff will be working hard over the coming months to ensure that appropriate and engaging softball formats are developed for inclusion in the first three levels of competition. Schools will then be able to use government resources to support young people participating in the sport.