Maccabi GB launched the Schools' Gold Challenge event this week. Maccabi GB has signed up over 1500 pupils across the country to the scheme that gives pupils the opportunity to be a part of the excitement of London 2012 whilst staying fit and healthy and fundraising for their schools and Maccabi GB.
Gold Challenge gives individuals the opportunity to take on Olympic and Paralympic sports to raise money for a charity. The schools have committed to complete 2012km by the start of the Olympic Games with each pupils’ participation counts towards the grand total. Maccabi GB Sports Coaches will oversee the sports challenge itself during PE lessons.
The pupils at Rosh Pinah were excited to be launching the Gold Challenge initiative and encouraged them to start thinking about the Olympic Games. 'I will be supporting both Israel and England in the Olympic Games.' Nigel Saidler (yr 5)
It will be Georgia Reback's (yr 4) 'first time watching the Olympics and I am really excited about it. It is awesome to do something connected with the Olympics.'
Jonathon Klein (yr 6) likes the 100m race and 'trains with my dad in the park. I am really excited to see new world records being made in the Olympics this year.'
Sharon Livingstone, Rosh Pinah PE Coordinator said 'We are delighted to be involved in the Gold Challenge with Maccabi GB to increase participation in PE and it encourage children to get fitter. It is also a great opportunity to take pupils to the Olympic Stadium.'
'I think it's fantastic that all the pupils at Rosh Pinah are enthused by the Games and looking forward to starting their Gold Challenge. It's fantastic that they are fundraising for Maccabi GB who have really brought sport to life in their school,' said Katie Legg from Gold Challenge.
Maccabi GB will be taking 50 school pupils to the first official event in the Olympic Stadium. A crowd of 20,000 people will be cheering on the runners participating in the 100m races. Maccabi GB has two lanes in these exclusive races that are being auctioned within the Jewish Community.
The Maccabi GB professional team has also committed to complete an aggregate total distance of 2012km by the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. To date the team has completed 300km this month and are well on the way to completing the 2012km goal. Other organisations and charities are also participating in this challenge as a positive opportunity to engage in the Olympics whilst staying fit and participating in a team challenge.
Jessica Overlander-Kaye, Maccabi GB Project Manager says, 'The launch of the Gold challenge starts off our Olympic themed 2012 calendar of events. This year is a very exciting year, with London hosting the Olympic Games. Maccabi GB wants to encourage the community to embrace this and use it as a spring board to promote active living making sport accessible to everyone.'
Maccabi GB are putting together a unique 2012 calendar of Community Sporting Events for the whole community to celebrate London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.
Events will include:
- Inter synagogue sports days
- Youth movement sports sessions
- Zumbathon
- Pushy Mums sessions
- Community rounders’ matches
- Sports Taster Days including; trampolining, golf and Horse Riding
- Screening Olympic Games involving the Israeli team
- Israeli dance activities
- Enable days engaging able and disabled participants
- Sports equipment drive with All Aboard
Maccabi GB will be supporting events that will help the community celebrate the games. It is a great opportunity to work across the community with other charities and organisations. We aim to gives those already engaged in sport some new opportunities whilst inviting those less active to engage in active sessions.
