BEACH FIT CHALLENGE 2007

The first ever Beach Fit Challenge took place on Weymouth Beach 11th July 2007.
The Beach Fit Challenge is a unique athletics talent identification scheme targeting Year 4 primary school children.

The Beach Fit coaches will visited every primary school in the Borough and gave a free 1 hour basic but expert coaching session in hurdles, javelin, long jump and sprints. The sessions culminate in a measured/timed competition in each discipline. The champion boy and girl in each of the disciplines were invited to represent their school at the Beach Fit Challenge.

On 11th July all the school champions were bussed to Weymouth beach to compete in the inter-schools Beach Fit Challenge in a specially constructed arena. Here the boy and girl Borough champions in javelin, hurdles, sprint and long jump weree found through a series of heats and finals. The final event of the day was an obstacle/assault relay competition. Medals were awarded to the top 3 boys and girls in each event and the school accumulating the most points (St. Andrew’s) won The Beach Fit Trophy.

This unique initiative was the first 100% year group talent finding athletics scheme of its kind in the UK.
Through the scheme it is hoped that sporting talent can be identified and directed to elite coaching squads and local athletics clubs.

This groundbreaking initiative attracted widespread media interest.
BBC TV filmed the event for a nationwide network broadcast on CBBC on Sat 14th July using local children as presenters.
Athletics Weekly and The Echo have already ran articles on the event.

Star:track (via UK Athletics) and The Big Boost both gave significant assistance in the provision of equipment, specially trained coaches and logistics. 
The  RAF, Adidas, Taut sports drink and Sports Beans contribute to the competitors ‘goodie’ bags.

It is hoped to run The Beach Fit Challenge again in 2008, not only in Weymouth but several other South West seaside resorts.