Students told to ditch digital distractions and focus on sporting success during event at Sheffield’s EIS

Dozens of primary school children from across South Yorkshire have been encouraged to spend less time on digital distractions such as social media and more time using sport to achieve their life goals.
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Children from nearly 20 schools in the region came together at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport (EIS) to attend the inaugural Qualitas Aspiration and Mental Wellbeing Day.

Throughout the event, the children were given the opportunity to get involved in a number of sports including long jump, shot put, and relay races.

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Dr Rebecca Trikić providing advice to pupils at the inaugural Qualitas Aspiration and Mental Wellbeing DayDr Rebecca Trikić providing advice to pupils at the inaugural Qualitas Aspiration and Mental Wellbeing Day
Dr Rebecca Trikić providing advice to pupils at the inaugural Qualitas Aspiration and Mental Wellbeing Day
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Former Sheffield Wednesday player and managing Director, Gavin Bailey, who is head of the Qualitas team that delivers sports coaching in schools across South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire, hosted the event with the help of Dr Rebecca Trikić, a chartered psychologist who has over a decade of experience working with children and who is focused on enhancing emotional well being to improve future life opportunities.

Gavin said: “We are totally passionate about using sport to help young people succeed in life. But children never achieve their best unless they have the right focus and a healthy mind – and that’s what today was all about.

“We were honoured to have such special guests as Dwain Chambers and Dr Rebecca Trikić – people that have the life experience and skills to deliver these messages in a truly inspirational way.

“The feedback from the event has been truly fantastic.”

Children enjoy the inaugural Qualitas Aspiration and Mental Wellbeing Day.Children enjoy the inaugural Qualitas Aspiration and Mental Wellbeing Day.
Children enjoy the inaugural Qualitas Aspiration and Mental Wellbeing Day.

British track sprinter, Dwain Chambers, was on hand to help inspire the children.

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He now runs ‘Chambers for Sport’ with the emphasis on encouraging more children to take part in health and fitness and is hoping to compete in next year’s Olympics.

Both PE coordinator, Courtney Pettifor, and headteacher, Daniel Baxby, who lead the physical education department at Witchford Village College in Cambridgeshire, were also enlisted to run workshops and training with the children.

Qualitas Sport works closely with Sheffield Hallam University and currently employs over 50 full time and part-time coaches providing students with both practical experience and future employment opportunities.

There are now plans to repeat the event for other schools later this year.