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Proceeding contribution from Tim Loughton (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 13 December 2011. It occurred during Adjournment debate on School Sport.


School Sport

I had better move on or I will not answer any of the hon. Gentleman's points, but I think that there is a real poverty of ambition. Let me return to the issue of disabled sport and the charge about the elite nature of the school games. The opportunity to take part in competitive sport is not elite; it is at four levels. It is within schools, where we want every pupil to be able to take part; it is between schools; it is at county level; and it is at national level, with the showcase of the first national championships taking place next May in the Olympic stadium, before it is even used for the Olympics. Within that, I want to see opportunities for disabled pupils. I think that the former Minister for Sport, the hon. Member for Bradford South, would probably admit that we have done very badly on encouraging disability sports in schools. If someone happens to have a disability, PE time is when they go to the library or do something else like that, which is entirely unacceptable. We are far more ambitious than that. Part of the programme for the school games is about encouraging able-bodied pupils to help to set up tournaments and to engage with children who have disabilities, so that they feel every bit as involved at every stage. There needs to be recognition of the various challenges that they will have, but those are surmountable.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
537 c221WH 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
Subjects
Property transfer Physical education Playing fields Sales Schools Young people Sports Take-up
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk