There are many factors that can affect how much you participation in sport. Your time at school, for example, can be a big influence. Education will also help with qualifications. You don’t necessarily need to only aim to be a player: it might be that you’re more effective as a coach.

There are also other outside influences to consider. You’re social group, for example, and what you decide to do in your free time.

At school part of your National Curriculum is to learn Physical Education (PE). For this you’re expected to participate in two hours structured physical activity. Schools should have a Physical Activity Policy that is developed by the whole school which can include parents and other external bodies. It should incorporate the national aims as laid out by the PE School Sport Club Links Strategy (PESSCL) and the Physical Activity Criteria of the National Healthy Schools Programme. The main objectives of the policy primarily consist of:

• ensuring all pupils take part in at least two of curricular physical education
• ensuring the school provides both curricular and extra-curricular sporting opportunities
• looking at the needs of all pupils
• promoting positive attitudes towards taking part in physical activities
• promoting the importance of physical activity for the whole of an individual’s well-being
• promoting other ways to participate including walking and cycling to school

It’s also important for schools to take into consideration:

• the needs of vulnerable individuals and groups
• the issues surrounding bullying and putting appropriate policies into place
• providing confidential pastoral support systems
• including behaviour and rewards policies

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