Virtual Athletics League

1. Virtual Athletics League Key information for Stage 2 Pilot Schools

2. Content of Presentation • Introduction to National Pilot • History so far - Somerset Pilot • Aims & Objectives • Project • Outcomes & Consequences • Advantages of putting the shine:award scheme on Line • Virtual Athletic League • Concept & Competition format • Benefits and school requirements • National Project • Role of National Pilot Schools • Code of Conduct

3. Virtual Athletics – National Pilot Further to an initial pilot project run in Somerset during the early part of this year, the next stage of the development of this concept is to test it on a National basis. The aim of the National Pilot is apply the knowledge and experience acquired from the first stage and see if the proposed model and resources meet the needs of a national audience. This presentation aims to provide the participating schools with the information required to participate effectively in the next stage.

4. The history of the project so far - Somerset pilot • In November 2005 a Somerset based development officer approached UK Athletics to seek funding support for a County based Virtual Athletics League (VAL). • After some initial development work, UKA took on the responsibility for the design, structure and management of all the technical aspects of the pilot. • Further to evaluation and review of the pilot, UKA acquired funding to develop the pilot into a National Project • The Somerset VAL was launched on the 18th April 06 and closed on 12th July 06 • The National Pilot will take place between Nov 06 and Feb 07

5. Initial Aims & Objectives • The aim of Somerset VAL was to provide a competition format for a group of relatively isolated primary and inner city schools, who, due to the difficulties associated with transportation and location, had not been able to access athletics competitions on a regular basis. •  The objectives of the VAL were to: • provide two league tables: displaying individual performances and school / team performances. • provide the same audio/visual support found on the shine:awards CD ROM

6. Somerset Project – Key data • Involved 72 schools, 1600 Pupils • Focused on the Tone School Partnership • 7 Primary Clusters • 7 School Sport Coordinators • Based upon 10 Events from the shine:awards • Multi-skills in format: including 1 run, 1 jump, 1 throw • Participation in 5 events resulted in a shine:award • Participation in 7 events contributed towards the team score

7. Somerset Pilot - Outcomes • Over 50% of the schools entered performance data • The project raised the profile of athletics • Pupils showed a huge interest in the results • Demonstrated success in putting on an alternative format of competition • Increased awareness of shine:awards • Very significant impact on cross curricular delivery • Affected pupils’ approach to Health Related Fitness • Acted as a catalyst for teachers to share best practice • Schools became very committed to do it better next year • Other members of Partnership network developed a strong interest in the idea

8. Development Consequences • Participation in the project served as an action learning opportunity for the development of the shine:awards • The project highlighted the need to replicate the shine:awards CD ROM as a web based resource, and that a very high percentage of schools now had the ICT infrastructure to access the resource in this format • Putting the shine:awards on-line provides a platform for a wider, national VAL, with many flexible options

9. Shine on line – Web advantages • Content changes and updates are far easier to implement, and will therefore be more current • Data input and management is easier and more open • The ordering and purchase of awards is easier • Awards can be customised • Pupils will be able to see their results at home. • Data to support talent identification becomes an an integral part of the process • Easier identification of successful individuals and teams

10. Virtual Athletics • Is a web based concept • Fundamentally aims to improve participation • Works in real time, which means it is based on ‘live’ results • Involves schools/pupils entering performance data on specific nominated events • Displays team results based upon average scores of all individuals that take part • Provides data on individual performances

11. Virtual Competition The Competition format and structures can vary: • Competitions can be run over different lengths of time, such as weeks or whole terms • Competition can be based on a wide variety of events, e.g. multi-events, or throws specific • Competitions can be focused on specific groups, such as disabled athletes or gifted and talented • Competition can be considered from a National, regional, county, partnership or school perspective

12. BenefitsProvided • Open to all school based athletes regardless of age or ability • Gives athletes immediate access to tables of results, which will provide motivation • Supports athlete development by providing feedback on what is required in order to gain next level • As a result of taking part, participants have the option of obtaining a shine:award • Supports the assessment processes in schools, and supports talent identification for gifted athletes, regardless of their chosen sport

13. Virtual Athletics - Potential Sponsors • Individual Schools • Partnership Development Managers • Competition Managers • County Sport Partnership Officers • Local Education Sport Development Officers • Athletic Clubs • Multi activity clubs • Sportshall Clubs

14. Virtual Athletics – Aims of National Project To provide an exciting, live, and alternative form of competition for all athletes of all abilities, that maximises the opportunity for participation To demonstrate that athletics competition can take place throughout the year, not just in the summer. To allow user groups to administer the achievement of the Norwich Union shine:awards through a web based system. To test all aspects of the system and gain critical feedback prior to a national launch in Mar 2007

15. Virtual Athletics – Participating Schools For this stage and in the future, any school deciding to participate in Virtual Athletics will need to: • Agree to abide by the code of conduct • Register groups and individuals • Input performance data • Chose to enter a variety of competition formats • Liaise with a nominated competition league manager over participation issues • Ensure teachers and pupils participate within the spirit of virtual competition • Participate in competitions that they decide are the most appropriate to their pupils

16. Virtual Athletic – National Pilot Schools Schools who wish to support the next stage of the development project need to consider the following criteria: • Be willing and able to participate in the next stage of the VAL pilot • Have good availability to PC’s with on-line access • Able to provide out of hours or lunch access for pupils to a gymnasium / Sportshall which contains appropriate indoor athletics equipment • Will require a nominated individual, e.g. teacher or assistant, who will be responsible for the project within the school.This role will principally involve ensuring: • school and pupils are registered on line, • pupils have supervised access to the Sportshall & equipment, • pupils are able to learn about the different events, • pupils participate with the spirit laid out in the code of conduct • performance data is collected, • data is entered on-line, • communication with UKA over the project’s progress.

17. Competition format Nov – Feb • Competition by school year age • 7-8 years old • 8-9 years old • 9-10 years old • 10-11 years old • 11-12 years old • 12-13 years old • Whole classes to compete! Everyone’s contribution is important.

18. Competition format Nov – Febfor children aged 7-11 ·based upon multi skills : 7 events – 2 run, 2 jump, 2 throw, 1 other. The choice of events being from: 50m sprint, 5 minute run, shuttle run (6 by 10m), Long Jump, Triple Jump, Vertical Jump, Soft-Javelin, chest push - size 4 ball, 1Kg shot put, speed bounce and criss cross.

19. Competition format Nov – Febfor children aged 11-13 ·     Based upon the Pentathlon, 5 events – 1 speed, 1 endurance, 1 jump, 1 throw, 1 other. The choice of events being from: 80m sprint, shuttle run (6 by 10m), 150m sprint, 5 minute run, 800m, 1500m, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Vertical Jump, Shot put, Javelin/Turbo Javelin, Overhead Heave (1Kg,)

20. Competition format Nov – Febfor children aged 11-13 Full details of how to run these events, the rules of competition, equipment required, scoring etc. will be provided.

21. Code of conduct Very important to the success of the league! Athletes: Participation and performance are just as valuable as results This is a team competition: the performance of every class member is significant and should be included Learn the rules of each event and participate fairly within them Respect the decision and measurements of scorers and officials

22. Code of conduct Teachers: Make sure that the activities selected are appropriate to the ability and experience of those taking part Promote the positive aspects of sport through participation, fair play and by applauding the performances of all Allow pupils to learn as they participate and accept any mistakes made Never condone violation of the rules or unfair play Encourage athletes to respect each other and their overall team performance Make every effort to measure each performance accurately and to record exactly the same result on the results list The performance of every class member must be valued and entered, regardless of the score it achieves

23. Virtual Athletics Feedback on any development issues to: Graham Norris Schools Manager UK Athletics Ltd Athletics House Central BoulevardBlythe Valley ParkSolihullWest Midlands B90 8AJ T: +44 (0) 870 9986800 M +44  07920 532541 F: +44 (0) 870 9986752 W: www.ukathletics.net