Norfolk celebrities get behind Golden Mile competition

Former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew who joined specialist sports coaches from Premier Sport at Hapton Primary School to give pupils at the school a sporting workout.

A host of Norfolk celebrities have given their support to the EDP's competition to boost the fitness of every primary school child in the area.

Led by Test Match Special commentator Henry Blofeld, the celebs are lining up to endorse the Golden Mile, which was launched on Saturday - exactly 1,000 days before the London 2012 Olympics.

The unique initiative gives thousands of youngsters in the EDP area the chance to walk, jog or run around a Golden Mile track and try to reach 50 miles in the academic year.

Sponsored by Premier Sport, it is completely free of charge and is designed for children of all shapes, sizes and abilities, giving them the chance to improve their fitness and head off the looming childhood obesity crisis.

“Blowers”, who was born and bred in Norfolk and played for the county cricket team, said: “I think this is a wonderful idea. In the modern educational world, I am sure the full benefits of sport are not fully appreciated by children and even sometimes by teachers themselves.

“The value of exercise is obviously important, but also the fun of the team effort is unbeatable. The mere fact that these children are taking this exercise may spur them on to take part in other sporting activities.”

Norfolk celebrity chef and healthy school cooking campaigner Galton Blackiston, who runs the Michelin-starred Morston Hall in North Norfolk, said: “I think it is a very, very good initiative. Anything that can keep children fit and healthy is a great idea.”

Golden Mile is totally free of charge to every infant, junior and primary school in the EDP area.

Each school that enters marks out a Golden Mile track in the playground or in the school hall, and youngsters will be able to count how many laps they complete during breaks or at lunchtime.

It can be done by children as they walk and chat with friends or by those youngsters who prefer to blow the cobwebs away with a jog or run.

Their progress will be logged on a specially designed website, which will give individuals, classes and neighbouring schools the chance to compete with each other in the race to tot up the miles.

Norwich City goalkeeping legend Bryan Gunn said: “Anything that improves a child's fitness and health is a worthwhile initiative, and if the whole family can join in that's even better. I would encourage everyone to join in and get fit.”

Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew was a prominent supporter of last year's EDP/Premier Sport Fit for the Future competition, which saw dozens of Norfolk primary schools win free Premier Sport coaching to encourage youngsters to enjoy getting active.

He said: “The Golden Mile represents an excellent opportunity for children of all abilities to get fit and be active.

“The project is simple, effective and accessible to all schools, children and parents. It really is an innovative and interesting project that will be embraced by both children and schools.”

Getting involved could not be simpler, with registration taking no more than one minute on the website.

Golden Mile packs will then be sent direct to schools. The cost would normally be £60 per class, but the EDP and competition sponsor Premier Sport are so determined to boost children's fitness that they are offering it free of charge to all primary schools.

To sign up to the EDP's Golden Mile, visit www.edp.golden-mile.org and use the promotional code edp1009 to receive your free packs. After registering, you can follow your school's progress on the website, which can be accessed directly or via the home page of www.edp24.co.uk.



Golden Mile - what the schools will get

The track is measured and marked out by the school, which then enters the distance into its schools page on the Golden Mile website. The teachers then log into the teachers page and type in the pupils laps. Everything is then calculated for them.

In addition, they will receive:

Recipe cards for every pupil, personalised by some of the world's top footballers - Steven Gerrard, Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Kelly Smith

Lessons plans for numeracy, ICT, science, literacy and art at foundation and key stages one and two to use if required

A certificate for every child when they reach 10 miles (bronze), 25 miles (silver) and 50 miles (gold). Also certificates for most improved child and best achiever

Progress cards for every child

An A1 class progress chart.