15,000 Students Took Part In This Year’s European School Sports Day

On the 28^th September, around 15,000 students attending schools from all Educational Sectors joined students from over 30 European Countries in the European School Sport Day (ESSD).   The ESSD is an annual sports day during which students are engaged in activities aimed at increasing physical activity and encourage students to adopt a healthy lifestyle.  Notwithstanding the event happening on the first Friday of the scholastic year, 70 schools recognised that the ESSD is an ideal team building opportunity for school staff and students, hence joining this initiative.

A variety of sports activities were organised within school premises and local open spaces such as beaches, parks, promenades and village squares.  Other than promote health and lifelong well-being, activities are aimed to develop students’ social competencies by being inclusive, fun, foster social inclusion, boost self-esteem, encourage gender equality and develop school ethos.

Activities culminated with the Flagship Event being held at Cottonera Sports Complex where students from St Margaret College participated 120 minutes of sports   celebration.  This event was attended by European Week of Sports Ambassadors Maria James and Ryan Fenech.  Dr Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations and Mark Cutajar, CEO SportMalta, addressed those present for the event.

This ESSD is an EU Commission initiative and forms part of the European Week of Sport’s (EWoS) #BeActive Campaign.  SportMalta supported all participating schools in the successful organisation of their ESSD2018.