SHREWSBURY SPORT FORGES AHEAD AMID SCHOOL CLOSURE

Despite term one starting in an online capacity, Shrewsbury Sport has ensured students are getting a full immersion of physical activity in various disciplines. From swimming and strength and conditioning to a virtual race around Thailand's borders, the impetus for keeping fit and healthy is right at the forefront of the department's mind.

Alongside providing classes for students as part of the curriculum, the PE department has created an online learning platform filled with resources for the whole school to access. It pulls together challenges, re-lives sporting moments for students to enjoy, hosts fitness videos and has staff performing instructional videos that promote an active mind and a healthy body while students cannot attend classes.

Head of Swimming Ms Vicki Gill and her team have not been idle, either - despite not being able to access the pool since the start of the year. Since the 12th of January, the team has been conducting various workshops, seminars, stroke analysis, dryland training and Q+A sessions after school. The aim of not losing any progress made in Term one Shrewsbury swimming has diverted their attention to improving other aspects of their athletes' repertoire. 

Another fantastic development was an idea borne from one of our gap students Lewis Evans, who has now encouraged 100 members of our community to bike, swim and run 'the circumference of Thailand' using the app 'Strava'. With already hundreds of kilometres completed of an 8000 km journey completed, Lewis encourages staff, students and parents to jump on board - every little bit helps.

Meanwhile, Strength and Conditioning have reached out to all student-athletes who have a programme with Mr Smith. After a range of responses were received, the department has activated a range of new programmes that will cater to students' needs regardless of whether they have the useful equipment or not. Also, Mr Smith has provided a lot of content for the website and will promote a video on Shrewsbury's social media channels very soon.

Director of Sport, Mr Paul Rotheram, has been very impressed with the way his staff have responded to school closure and adapted lessons to meet the needs of students.

"In all areas of sport at Shrewsbury, we see activity. We have experience now in this area, and it was pleasing to see everyone pull together once we found out Term 2 would not be starting as normal. We encourage all students and members of the community to get involved with what we are offering. It is important in these times to stay healthy and keep fit".

With Shrewsbury Sport still a hive of activity regardless of whether the classes are live or online, the expectation is that students will be focusing on staying active right up until the school reopens.