The children showed great sporting potential during the day

Local primary school children enjoy Sport Experience Day

On Wednesday 12 July, University of Exeter Sports Park hosted a sports experience day for Colyton Grammar School, based in East Devon.

Colyton Grammar invited students from local primary schools to experience tennis, cricket and high performance at the University. The day was organised so that all children could enjoy the tennis programme, cricket coaching and a talk from the University’s high performance team.

The tennis sessions involved using Exeter Tennis Centre’s superb indoor courts whilst receiving expert coaching from the University’s qualified coaches. The children enjoyed taking part in the various tennis drills and games set up for them during the day, with lots of potential on show.

Cricket sessions were held in the fantastic Sir Christopher Ondaatje Devon Cricket Centre, which contains four indoor cricket nets and various bowling machines. University of Exeter cricket coach, Jack Bradbury, set the children a number of cricket drills and challenges in which they completed with great competence and enthusiasm.

A tour of the University’s high performance unit also took place, including a visit to the Athlete Development Centre - a unique facility which provides an optimum training environment for the University's elite athletes. Strength & Conditioning coach, Lee Kirk, talked to the children about what high performance means and the dedication needed to become a top athlete.

Colyton Grammar’s Primary Schools’ Sports Co-ordinator, Anne Harris, commented:

“The Sports Park was the perfect venue for these Year 6 pupils who are already showing potential in a range of sports. The cricket and tennis coaches further developed their ball and decision making skills. The tour of the facilities and high performance gym gave them a little taste of what it takes to perform at the highest level and truly inspired them. A big thank you to everyone.”

Regarding the visit, University of Exeter Sports’ Business Systems Manager, Andrew Fry, said:

“It was fantastic to see local primary school children experiencing the superb facilities at the University. We hope we have inspired them to continue their journey in sport and wish them all the best for the future.”

For more information about how to experience the University’s sport facilities, contact the sports bookings team on 01392 724432 or email sportsbookings@exeter.ac.uk

Date: 19 July 2017