England Athletics is delighted to announce that inspire+ has become the first provider to sign up for our funetics movement to help inspire primary school children to take part in fun athletics to get more active. It’s a double celebration, as we celebrate the success of funetics ambassador Katarina Johnson-Thompson who won a gold medal in the Heptathlon at the World Championships in Doha this week.
First provider for funetics confirmed
Independent sports charity inspire+ is the first provider of the funetics movement and England Athletics is looking forward to working with the organisation to help them deliver child-centred funetics sessions across the country.
Vincent Brittain, inspire+ CEO and Founder says: “We consulted extensively with PE leads and Head Teachers who were impressed with what funetics could bring to their school. We are excited about rolling out funetics and I’ve no doubt that funetics will help ensure young people get the best possible PE and athletic experiences at their school.”
He continues: “funetics will complement and enhance the existing work we do in schools by giving inspire+ staff and teaching staff a fantastic resource and schemes of work to really embed the fundamentals of athletics. funetics will certainly be a key feature of our work that will enhance the membership services we offer to both existing members and to new schools.
“Commercially, funetics appealed to us as a way of diversifying our income streams and feel that funetics gives us the opportunity to strengthen our coach programme in schools, enhance our gifted and talented offer as well the possibility of charging schools in the future if we chose to do so. The fact that funetics has two household names as part of the package in Katarina Johnson-Thompson as ambassador and Usain Bolt’s support through funetics’ insole partner Enertor certainly helped! This will support us with raising the profile of funetics in schools with staff and most importantly, the children.” concludes Mr. Brittain.
England Athletics clubs and funetics
England Athletics has been conducting a series of funetics roadshows across nine regions to offer the opportunity for its 1,400 member clubs to host funetics sessions. Chris Jones, CEO of England Athletics, comments: “The response and feedback to these events has been excellent with our clubs being really excited about our new programme. Our vision is for every primary school aged child in the country to be able to access funetics sessions to learn the fundamental movement skills of running, throwing and jumping via a comprehensive, inclusive and trackable course which reflects the requirements of the National Curriculum Key Stage 1 and 2.”
Success for Katarina Johnson-Thompson, funetics ambassador
funetics ambassador and World Athletics Heptathlon Champion, Katarina Johnson-Thompson says: “funetics is a fantastic opportunity for more young children to access running, jumping and throwing at an early age and in a way that is fun, safe, nurturing and accessible all year round. For parents to be able to track their child’s progress digitally is amazing. I am proud to be an ambassador of funetics and supporting children to get more active.”
Chris Jones concludes: “We would like to add our congratulations to Katarina on her win at Doha. Her performances are both inspiring and testament to her determination to succeed. As part of our funetics movement, Katarina will help motivate and encourage 4 – 11 year olds across the country to be active all year round.”
