'Every single person is different and it’s amazing'
Ellie Simmonds retired from Para-swimming in 2021
- Published
Five-time Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds is one of the famous faces supporting a new campaign to get more disabled children - and those with special educational needs - playing sport in primary schools.
In England, 1.5 million children in England have special educational needs or are disabled, but only one in four disabled children take part in physical activity at school. The Super Movers for Every Body campaign is designed to tackle this issue.
Super Movers: Paralympian Ellie Simmonds on the "importance" of inclusive sports
BBC Teach, the Premier League and ParalympicsGB have come together to launch the initiative, which will provide primary schools with more than 3,000 inclusive sport equipment packs - including foam javelins, audio balls and blindfolds.
Simmonds said: “No matter who you are and no matter what disability you have, you can move, you can get active, you can be included.”
Campaign ambassador and multiple Paralympic gold medallist, Hannah Cockroft said: “It’s all about ensuring no child misses out on PE and sport in schools, whether they are disabled or non-disabled, it encourages everyone that they can move, they can be active and they can be included.”
Campaign organisers said they hope the programme will help ensure no primary school age pupil is left on the sidelines during PE lessons.
David Clarke, CEO of ParalympicsGB and England’s all-time leading goalscorer in blind football, said: “Disabled people of all ages tell us that representation plays a crucial part in breaking down barriers to participation, and this is why I am so proud that these valuable resources feature a host of disabled athletes - demonstrating the unique power of sport to connect us.”
Helen Foulkes, head of BBC Education, added: “Super Movers for Every Body is a programme designed to be inclusive and accessible to all, embodying the belief that sports and physical activity are for everybody."
More information on all the resources available and how to sign up for a free equipment pack can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers/articles/zdk86rd. Films with BSL, AD & BSL with AD versions will be available on the BBC Teach website.