Lions Sports Academy have joined forces with England Rugby Sevens Players to offer free online training to keep the nation’s children fit through the upcoming lockdown.
During the first nationwide lockdown it was announced by UK Sport that physical literacy in school children decreased by 50%. With the closure of sport venues and groups, the second lockdown is set to have a lasting impact on the fitness and mental health of children across the UK.
Sports coaching organisation Lions Sports Academy – who work with schools and sports clubs to help children and young adults realise their potential through sport and physical exercise – will work with England Rugby Sevens to offer free online sports training during the current lockdown and replace the void left by the closure of sports clubs and venues.
The England Rugby Sevens squad, who after losing all their funding from the RFU are working hard to fund their own programme and reach the Olympics. Players including Tom Bowen, Meg Jones and Abi Burton, who coach with the Lions, will lead the free training sessions which focus on mobility, strength and conditioning.
Hosted through the Lions’ new online platform onlinearenas.com, parents will be able to sign their children up for interactive training sessions on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s from 5-6pm. Founder of Lions, Andy Jones said:
“Most people have seen the worrying statistics around obesity and children’s physical literacy after the previous lockdown, we want to do what we can to buck the trend.
“The benefits of sport go way beyond fitness, it teaches resilience, confidence and teamwork.
“We are very lucky to have the opportunity to join forces with the players at England Rugby Sevens to help children all over the nation stay motivated and active through this lockdown”.
To get access to the free online sessions please go to www.onlinearenas.com/events or contact Lions Sports Academy at info@lionssports.academy or call 02034245070.