VANCOUVER winter Olympian Eve Muirhead took over the mantle from four-time Olympic Gold Medallist Sir Chris Hoy on day two of Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week - which is being run in partnership with sportscotland - the national agency for sport.
Photograph SNS / Sportsbeat. Olympian Eve Muirhead skippers Clackmannan Primary Tug of War team
Curler Muirhead was the headline guest at Clackmannan Primary School and got to see first hand the school's very own mini Highland Games.
The primary six pupils spent a month outlining the plans for the day – which ranged from sword dancing to tossing the caber - and ten-year-old Young Leader Rebecca Watson declared the day a success.
“We have been coming in after school on Tuesdays to plan and although I was really nervous at first it all went well,” said Rebecca.
Olympian, Muirhead, 19 and not long out of the education system commented on the importance of school sport. She said: “PE and sport in school is when it starts and if you get involved at a young age it will be easier to stay involved and participating in sport. It’s important to get people playing when they are young.”
Clackmannan Head teacher Janette Wieczorek labelled the day a success, saying: “It’s just nice to see the kids enjoying themselves.”And Marjorie Macfarlane, Sports Development Manager for Clackmannanshire Council was delighted with the day’s wide ranging affect. “We are not looking for talented kids, of which we have many, it is more important that lots of children are involved.”
And some of the chief brains behind the operation, Active Schools Coordinator for Lornshill Alison Mackie and Clackmannan PE teacher Karen Grossart insisted some inclement weather hadn’t detracted from a successful day. “The weather wasn’t great but the children still had a great day,” said Grossart. “It was good for the pupils to learn about health as well as sport because they are lessons that they can take out into their life,” said Mackie.
Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week takes place from 7-11 June 2010. To find out more visit www.schoolsportweekscotland.org