St Swithun’s Junior School has recently become involved in an international junior version of the CrossFit Challenge. The junior challenge has been developed and initiated by eight like-minded schools from Australia, Canada, Switzerland and the USA. St Swithun’s Junior School is currently the only school representing the UK, through the current Year 5.
Every week one of the schools sets the others a fitness challenge and sends them a video showcasing the challenge. This consists of different exercises which the girls then have a week to complete. The last challenge included bar chin-ups and squats with ball throws.
The programme is only in its second week but the response from the girls at school has been fantastic.
The plan is to develop the links further, exchange PE ideas and work together on other global sports projects. This is all part of the new approach to sport at the junior school which is developing the sports opportunities available to the girls, rather than solely focusing on trying to win matches which has been the staple of many independent schools for a long time.
Roger Marshall, director of sport at St Swithun’s Junior School said, “We have a responsibility to expand the horizons and opportunities for our girls at St Swithun’s and to enthuse the children so they leave us with a desire to stay physically active whilst possessing the skills to enjoy any sport or physical activity they choose in future life. The cross-fit initiative is just one project that is helping us achieve this and we are very proud to be part of it.”