Barnet and Southgate College pioneers sport for all in China

Picture: Richard Pepperell, Stratford Upon Avon College, Sam Bramfitt, New College Swindon, Mr Li,  Hebei Women’s Vocational College, Shijiazhuang, Johnny Fitsiou, Curriculum Manager for Sport  Barnet and Southgate College and Peter Joddrell, New College Swindon. 

Barnet and Southgate College is leading a consortium of four member colleges to support the development of football coaching skills for teachers in primary and secondary level education in China. The ‘Sport for All’ project will also aim to improve the quality and consistency of international coaching education.

China has big plans for the growth of its sports sector and in 2015 the Chinese Ministry of Education mandated that football was to be taught in schools to strengthen competitiveness under a national football reform plan.

As part of this, last month representatives from the English colleges visited their Chinese partners to discuss the project and shake hands on the deal. As well as Barnet and Southgate College, colleges in the consortium include Doncaster College University Centre, New College Swindon and Stratford upon Avon College, with Chinese partners in Hebei, Dalian and Changsha.

Kathryn Jacob Parkes, Sport for All Project Manager from Barnet and Southgate College said:

“Barnet and Southgate College is delighted to launch our third partnership in China and to be the lead college in this new venture. The Sport for All project is particularly exciting as it links directly to China’s plans to develop football across the country. During our recent visit  we met staff and students who will be the first group taking part in the coach education programme in October 2016.”

The ‘Sport for All’ project is also supported by an impressive list of UK partners including: Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Boreham Wood Football Club, LTA Hazelwood Tennis Club, Lea Valley Network Wired for Sport (Athletics), SVTS Basketball, London Scholars (Rugby), Stratford Town Football Club, Stratford Rugby Club, Stratford Athletics Club, Doncaster Knights Rugby Club, League Managers Association, Professional Football Association and AoC Sport.

The UK-China Innovation Challenge Fund is supported by the British Council and the Association of Colleges in the UK.

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