Sport has a '˜Big Impact' on youngsters

Year 6s played tennis as part of Big Worldf Impact's sports scheme in the sports hall at Havant Academy

Big World Impact, a charity that supports and empowers young people, is working with Havant Academy, Leigh Park, by providing a range of free sports coaching.

Year 6 pupils from nearby primary schools were given tennis coaching.

Lennon Strange, 11, from Front Lawn Primary Academy said: ‘I really enjoy coming to BWI’s tennis every week.

‘At first I didn’t want to come because I was nervous. I look forward to it now and I have made new friends from other schools.

‘I enjoy doing the rallies and playing as a team with other people.’

The aim is to raise the aspirations of pupils across all year groups so they feel able to achieve their full potential by improving their confidence and social development skills.

Thanks to a National Lottery Awards for All  grant, BWI is running weekly sports clubs for Havant Academy and its feeder schools’ pupils.

Girls Network, an award-winning charity that matches girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds with inspirational female mentors, is also supporting the project.

Helen Cassady, headteacher of Havant Academy, in Wakefords Way, said: ‘This is an excellent opportunity for our students to work with Big World Impact and develop those highly effective skills so they are confident and successful.’

BWI will support the PSHE curriculum and is holding a celebration assembly with certificates and awards to highlight young people’s progress.