Brown to offer more school sport

Updated 20.28 Fri Jul 13 2007

Keywords: Darren Campbell, Dame Kelly Holmes, Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, britain, politics, sport

The Prime Minister wants every child to have the opportunity to take part in five hours of sport at school every week.

Gordon Brown's plans encourage greater emphasis on competitive sport within and between schools.

"We need to put school sport back where it belongs playing a central role in the school day" - Gordon Brown

There will also be a National School Sport Week, championed by Dame Kelly Holmes, where all schools will be encouraged to run sports days and inter-school tournaments.

A network of 225 competitive sport leaders will be set up to work with primary and secondary schools to increase the amount of competitive sport they offer.

The Prime Minister, who visited West London Academy, in Northolt, northwest London, and participated in a game of tennis, said: "We need to put school sport back where it belongs, playing a central role in the school day.

"I was lucky enough to have primary and secondary schools that had sport at the centre of their ethos. I want every child to have that opportunity to take part."

Olympic relay gold medalist Darren Campbell has backed the move.

He said: "I'm pleased the Government has shown its commitment to young people through sport.

"Competitive sport has taught me so many lessons about myself and delivered me many fantastic opportunities."