E.ON Next hosted a day of inspiring educational workshops centred around a sporting theme for 62 primary school students at St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School.
The day began with a welcome talk from Sky Sports presenter Scarlett Archer and Sports Media Trainer Amber Jones. The children then rotated between seven workshops, each designed to focus on a different career path including media, medical, graphic design, athletes, sustainability and digital coding roles.
Nottingham Forest Netball, competitors in the Netball Super League and sponsored by E.ON Next, gave the children a masterclass in what it takes to become a national level player. Their workshop included learning the fundamentals of the sport, drills to improve their skills and a mini game to put it all into practise.
Continuing the active theme, the children were able to test their reaction times on a full-size Batak machine. Often used by high performance athletes such as Formula One drivers, they competed against each other to turn off lights with the highest number being winning score.
Scarlett and Amber delivered a media workshop which covered writing, interviewing and public speaking – all important skills for those looking for a career in sports journalism. The children took it in turns to present to a partner and pretend they were either a journalist or a high-profile athlete.
Leading STEM workshop provider in the sports industry, Enovation Consulting, conducted two exciting workshops around sustainability and coding. The children got the opportunity to programme electric SPHERO balls through a football themed assault course which added another competitive element to the day.
They also learned how the 17 ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ fit into a sporting context through an interactive matching game. The children then got to write their own ‘E.ON Next Sustainability Pledges’ which helps them implement their learnings in the real world.
Sports Doctor Gerry Windett ran a hands-on workshop which highlighted common injuries within sport and how to treat them. This included treating sprains, wound-dressing and how to give life-saving CPR.
Last but not least, the children got to unleash their creativity in the design workshop. This involved designing their very own sports kit – taking into account colour themes, patterns, sponsorship and inspiration from their favourite team kit.
The day was rounded out with a goodbye from workshop leaders and a gift of E.ON Next sports goodie bags which included a sports bag, water bottle, sunhat and notebook.
Simon Tuckwell, Head Teacher at St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School, said: “St Edmund Campion Catholic Voluntary Academy was delighted to have been chosen by E.ON Next to host the Kids In Sport Day. It was an amazing experience for the Year 6 children who loved experiencing all the different activities on offer. It was also a fantastic insight for them into the world of sport and energy and the future opportunities that exist within those industries.
“Many of the children involved have recently been taking their SATs so the ‘Kids In Sport’ Day could not have come at a better time for them – it was a real treat after exams – and a wonderful memory to take with them as they head towards the next chapter at secondary school.”