A GB Paralympic table tennis star took time out of training to celebrate the achievements of pupils from six South Yorkshire schools.
Farrel Anthony, who trains at the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (EIS Sheffield), presented awards to the children who have completed the seven-week Playing for Success (PfS) programme at the venue.
Almost 60 children from Watercliffe Meadow Community Primary School, Lound Junior School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Church of England School, Charnock Hall Primary School, Emmanuel Junior School received awards at the EIS Sheffield presentation night.
Jakki Marshall, centre co-ordinator for Playing for Success at EIS Sheffield, which is operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), said: “The programme uses sport themed activities different to those on offer at schools to motivate pupils to learn.
“Using sport and state of the art IT equipment as our vehicles for learning, the children have completed a host of activities such as video editing, music making, animation, kit design and interviews.
“It was wonderful for the children to celebrate their success with a member of the GB table tennis team. Farrel was a great inspiration to the children and they really enjoyed hearing about how he is preparing for London 2012.”
Playing for Success is a nationwide out of school hours study support and learning programme which takes place within various sporting venues including EIS Sheffield.
The initiative is aimed at raising standards in literacy, numeracy, ICT and increasing self-esteem in 10-14 year old children.
Sessions are designed to motivate young people to learn through sporting activities, supported by elite athletes who train at the venue. The sessions use state-of-the-art IT equipment and the latest games consoles to provide health, literacy and numeracy challenges.
The British Table Tennis Federation is based at EIS Sheffield.
