The PE, School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL) initiative was launched by the government in October 2002 to bring together secondary and primary teachers, volunteers and sports coaches to triple the number of five to 16-year-olds taking part in two or more hours of school sports or PE a week to 75 per cent of schoolchildren by 2006 and 100 per cent by 2007.
There will be an increase in sports colleges and school sport co-ordinators, who will in turn work with primary teachers to provide a wide range of sports to children. The strategy aims to increase involvement in sport and to improve the standard of coaching so all children are willing to participate.
Amateur sports clubs are targeted to provide additional opportunities for able and talented children and to cut the 70 per cent drop-out rate from sport among school leavers. Twenty-two different sports are now part of the PESSCL club links programme, including athletics, football, judo, netball, orienteering, canoeing and table tennis. The PESSCL strategy is supported by the DfES and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and by pound;459 million of Government money to be invested in school sport by 2006.
More information: www.dfes.gov.ukpes
