AN INNOVATIVE activity class from Stockton Council that is specifically designed for children is in the running for a national sports industry award.
Funky Feet, created for children between the ages of two and four, is held in schools and venues across the Borough offering a varied programme of fun exercise activities.
Advocates of the programme believe that children taking part in Funky Feet benefit from positive developments in their physicality, hand-eye co-ordination and even their mental wellbeing. The heightened social development of the children involved has also been commented on by parents, teachers, carers and course leaders.
The ongoing success of the scheme is now being recognised through its shortlisting for the Sports Technology Design Challenge Award, sponsored by Sport England.
Councillor Ken Dixon, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “These awards acknowledge innovative and inspiring initiatives to sports and so I am very pleased to see Stockton Council’s Funky Feet scheme rightfully nominated.
“We are passionate about our children and young people developing positive habits and Funky Feet does just that.”
Leanne Oxley, Leisure and Sports Development Coordinator at Stockton Council, is the designer behind the Funky Feet programme. She said: “The results are there for all to see. Nearly 9,000 children have attended a Funky Feet session in recent years and we’ve been delighted with the progress the children who attend have shown.
“We even offer healthy fruit to all children at the sessions and lots of parents have reported that their children will now eat fruit when they wouldn’t before – so that’s another bonus!”
The winner will be announced at the Sports Technology Awards ceremony in London on 27 March 2015. To learn more about the awards, visit www.sportstechnologyawards.com
Funky Feet sessions last 45 minutes and are held in six week cycles.
To find out more about Funky Feet, or to book a place, contact Leanne Oxley on 01642 524599 orleanne.oxley@stockton.gov.uk