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Coventry University staff and students team up to provide fun-packed day of sport for disadvantaged local children
University news / Student news
Friday 11 March 2022
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Coventry University staff and students welcomed children from around the city for a fun-filled day of sport.
The event took place at Coventry University’s sports facility on Westwood Heath Road, offering a variety of sporting activities and games including netball, basketball, football and more.
To make sure that every child had an opportunity to attend, the university offered all children in attendance free transport to and from the venue as well as free food, in hopes of breaking down barriers of entry to sport and activity to those from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds.
Coventry University’s Dr Emma Eyre spearheaded the project, and has led several similar events in the past. Dr Eyre and colleague Dr Rhys Morris now have hopes of rolling out sports holiday camps for youngsters in and around Coventry with the aim of getting more local children active and giving them the opportunity to make friends and develop personal and social skills.
We absolutely love running these events and seeing smiles on local children’s faces is priceless. We firmly believe that no child should have barriers to things like sport and education, so this is our way of directly working with our communities to ensure young people in Coventry have opportunities to exercise and socialise in a safe and supportive environment, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Dr Emma Eyre, Assistant Professor (Academic) in Coventry University’s School of Health and Life Sciences
Calum Rowe, a Coventry University student who helped deliver coaching to youngsters as part of the event, said he was delighted to be able to make a difference in the community.
To be able to team up with staff and fellow Coventry University students to help the young people of Coventry engage in sport, make new friends and above all else enjoy themselves was an absolute pleasure. It’s so important that children have equal opportunities regardless of their backgrounds, and to be able to contribute to their wellbeing and activity like this was a real privilege.
Calum Rowe, Coventry University student
