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The Year 11 Gifted and Talented Day, held at the University of Brighton campus, Eastbourne, was organised by East Sussex County Council’s PE and Sports Sport Team in partnership with local secondary schools

The St Richard’s students joined others from William Parker Sports College, Hastings, and Seaford Head Community College, to participate in activities designed to enhance their experiences of physical education (PE) and school sport.

This the latest in a series of PE enrichment days led by the council in response to a national initiative to increase support for children who show promise in PE and school sports.

Cllr David Elkin, the county council’s lead member for learning and school effectiveness, said: “PE enrichment days are all about helping young people with exceptional talent in sport to realise their ambitions. They also introduce schools to new forms of sport, which could encourage even more young people to get involved in physical activity.”

The event gave students the opportunity to try out less traditional sports, such as Tchoukball (an indoor team game with nine players), kin ball (an indoor team game using a large, inflatable ball) and cheerleading, in a bid to encourage schools to add alternative physical activities to the curriculum.

Students also heard from trainee PE teachers at the university, who discussed possible career options and suggested ways the young people could use their talents in sport.

PE enrichment days are held year-round for students of secondary school age and are one of the ways in which the council promotes excellence in sport. They form part of the East Sussex Elite Athlete Support Programme, which supports and encourages the ambition of young elite athletes in East Sussex with a view to preparing them to be potential medallists at the 2016 or 2020 Olympic Games.