From next week thousands of sports clubs will join 30,000 schools and Tesco shoppers in a new voucher collection scheme to receive free sports equipment and professional coaching sessions. The biggest initiative of its kind, Tesco Sport for Schools & Clubs will inspire the UK’s children to get fitter and healthier through emulating their sporting heroes and learning to enjoy and get involved in sport.
The multi-million pound scheme goes live across all Tesco stores on 12 September 2005, is the result of extensive research with parents, teachers and club organisers. They said they would welcome a move that would provide much needed equipment - and essential coaching resources which would truly enthuse children to get involved in sport.
With that in mind, Tesco Sport for Schools & Clubs has teamed up with three of the UK’s leading world-class athletes - Paula Radcliffe, Frank Lampard and Jason Robinson. Together with some of the coaches in the scheme, they appear on a specially filmed DVD, packed with sporting hints and tips. It will be sent free to over 35,000 schools and clubs to use in PE lessons and club coaching sessions. They’ll even have the chance to win a coaching session from Paula, Frank or Jason! The trio will also appear in a TV ad supporting the campaign.
Fresh from her gold medal marathon win in Helsinki, Paula comments: "This is a great way to get children playing more sport. It shows that you don’t have to be a budding world champion; it’s really about just having a go and enjoying it, so that in time sport becomes an everyday part of life."
And with Frank becoming a new father – and Jason a dad for the fifth time last month, there is added relevance to their support. Jason said: "I have always loved sport and have been fortunate to have been encouraged along the way; with even just a little help and support, all youngsters can enjoy sport." And Frank added: "It was brilliant to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when we filmed the DVD. If just some of the children seeing it in their schools and clubs get as fired up, I’ll feel we’ve all done a great job."
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Tesco’s marketing director, Tim Mason concludes: "I’ve spent many years in retail, working to understand consumers and I believe that parents have never been clearer that they need to do something about their children's health. We already do a lot to address healthy lifestyles in store with our range of healthy living products and easy-to-understand nutritional labelling. But exercise is also an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and Tesco Sports for Schools and Clubs will help many children and their families to be inspired, get involved and become fitter and healthier."
In addition to coaching sessions in football, athletics, rugby and tennis, schools and clubs can order equipment as varied as nursery trampolines, javelins, gym mats, rugby balls, beanbags, tennis equipment and even space hoppers in exchange for vouchers which are collected from sales at Tesco stores. Customers will receive one voucher for every £10 spent.
A special Tesco Sport for Schools & Clubs website, www.tesco.com/sportcarries a wealth of sporting information including the coaching videos on a variety of sports, easy exercise tips, such as warm up and warm down guidelines - and nutritional advice. As the campaign gets underway, the website will also showcase a School or Club of the Week.
The collection scheme will run for a total of eight weeks from 12 September until 6 November 2005. Equipment will be delivered during the spring 2006 term.
Notes to editors
Computers for Schools is the country’s longest-standing voucher collection scheme and has been running for 14 years and given away £92 million pounds’ worth of equipment so far
Other Tesco initiatives designed to encourage children’s sport include: Under 13 Football Cup, The Great Schools Run and sponsorship of the Great Junior Run Series
Paula is Britain’s most successful long-distance runner and is currently the world record holder for the women’s marathon with a time of 2:15:25. She has just taken gold for her performance in the Women’s Marathon at the World Championship Athletics in Helsinki
Frank Lampard is the attacking midfield star for Chelsea FC and England. At 27, no-one of his age has played more Premiership football and no-one plays more at Chelsea. He holds the consecutive appearance record for an outfield player
World Cup winner Jason Robinson, known affectionately as Billy Whizz, is currently in training with the Sale Sharks, ahead of the new season. He is the first player ever to represent England at rugby league and rugby union
