On 18th March 2019, at Distington Community School, the Tony Ward Memorial Trust provided the first 5 Star 5 Steps training for West Cumbria primary school teachers under the new West Cumbria Athletics Development Project, funded by Cumbria Councy Council’s Community Grants Scheme. The training was attended by the representatives of 12 primary schools, plus the representatives of two local athletics clubs, Seaton AC and Copeland AC, who will run a 5 Star 5 Steps event for the schools in June. The project has also enabled England Athletics to run a special coach education course in West Cumbria, in order to enable the clubs to cope with more members. Councillor Keith Hitchen, chair of Copeland Local Committee said “this is a great project and we’re really pleased that clubs based at Copeland Stadium will also benefit because of the investment in their coaches.”
Cumbria County Councillor Rebecca Hanson, a great athletics fan who has assisted the Trust with the development of the West Cumbria project, said “I’m passionate about the many benefits athletics brings to children and am delighted to support this suberb programme.”
Terry Hughes, secretary of Seaton Athletics Club said “We really welcome this initiative. As well as the schools project, it has also helped 10 of our assistant coaches to become fully qualified.”
The Trust Chair, ex-Olympic athlete and local coach, Gwenda Ward said “Children love the fun and simplicity of these activities, which are like the street games I played as a child, when streets were emptier and safer. We want children in West Cumbria to have the same experience, but adapted to today’s conditions. And, via the training, we want to help teachers to feel confident with the activities, which are simple and fun, but also technically and educationally sound.”