Bristol celebrate Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week

By Joseph Whitehead, Sportsbeat

WORLD record attempts, former Olympians and a cast of 100s were all in order as Bristol celebrated Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week in style last week.

GETTING INVOLVED: Former Great Britain sprinter Jamie Baulch calls in on Bristol as part of Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week

More than 250 schoolchildren from across the city descended on Bristol University's Coombe Dingle Sports Complex to join the nationwide celebrations by taking part in a Festival of School Sport, which included an ultimately unsuccessful 1500m world record attempt.

Jamie Baulch, who helped Great Britain to 4x400m silver at the Athens Olympics, was also in attendance playing his part with a Q&A session for the Bristol youngsters from 14 differing schools.

The theme of the day was personal bests and Olympic values and the mastermind behind the day, Lesley Kenny - who is the Partnership Development Manager for North Bristol and is based at St Bede's Catholic College - was delighted with ho it went.

"It has been a few months of hard work to get here so we are delighted with the outcome," said Kenny, who has lived in the area for 20 years.

"Jamie was great and talked about his Athens experience as well as how important it is to play sport even if you aren't going to be a future champion.

"We have more kids and schools involved than last year and I am really pleased with the event."

While Baulch was quick to play down the importance of winning in sport, Ashley Down Junior School pupil Rakye Ashford was one of the future stars on show.

The ten-year old had recently been announced as his school's Sports Personality of the Year and he was over the moon to cap his year off in style on Tuesday.

"I am a keen sportsman and have recently won an award for my attitude in P.E." he said.

"To now take part in a day like this has been great and I got to play Frisbee as well as do some street dance which I love."

Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week uses the power of London 2012 to inspire children to try Olympic and Paralympic sports.  Your local school could carry the Olympic Flame in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay or win tickets to London 2012 at: www.lloydstsb.com/nationalschoolsportweek

© Sportsbeat 2011