Richmond students score top marks in sport

12.33.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th Jul 2008

• RICHMOND'S primary and secondary school students are achieving top marks in sports and physical education - with more youngsters across the borough involved in sports and physical activity than ever before.

New government figures show a massive 93 per cent of the borough's youngsters take part in at least two hours of high-quality sport every week, an increase of more than 30 per cent over the last three years and 10 per cent higher than last year alone. Participation in competitive sporting events has also increased by more than 20 per cent over the past year, with more than two thirds of the borough's school children now taking part in inter-schools competition.

Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Liz Jaeger, said: "I welcome the news and am delighted that young people across the borough continue to thrive and are given the opportunity to develop their sporting talents and stay healthy. Experience shows youngsters taking part in sporting activities are not only fitter and healthier but also enjoy a number of very real benefits. These include greater self esteem, higher academic achievement and avoiding trouble with the law. While we don't have the same problems with issues such as childhood obesity as there are nationally, it is still a concern that we take very seriously. With this in mind the council is currently looking at plans to ensure children get at least five hours of physical activity a week."