Sports Development Officer to work with Early Years children

Wednesday 01 July 2020

The Guernsey Sports Commission has appointed a new Sports Development Officer to help support Early Years children and Primary School gymnastics.

Lottie Evans will join the Commission in September on a part-time basis to work with children in the early years of education.

"We are delighted to welcome Lottie to the team,’ said Operations Director Graham Chester.

"The Commission has really concentrated on developing a team of Development Officers who are able to support children and young people throughout their education, aiming to keep them fit and active and fostering a love of sport which we hope will contribute to their health and wellbeing in the long term."

Alun Williams, Education and Be Active lead for the Health Improvement Commission, said it is important to establish healthy habits at a young age.

"This is an excellent appointment by the Sports Commission and will really enhance the application of fundamental movement skills in early years," he said. "For our youngest children, being active must be established as a core part of normal everyday life."

Pictured: Ms Evans said gymnastics is "a sport for all sports that improves strength, movement, coordination and flexibility."

Ms Evans will work closely with the States of Guernsey Early Years team.

"Physical development is one of the prime areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum," said Ruth Sharp, the Lead Education Officer for Early Years."

"This means it is one of the key areas of development in the first five years of a child’s life. A strong foundation in physical development lays the grounding for all future learning.

"Being active is vital not only for children’s health and physical development, but also for their well-being, social and language development, reading and writing skills and their sense of themselves in relation to the world around them."

Ms Evans will also be working in partnership with Scott Little from the Guernsey Gymnastics Association, helping children access gymnastics in school and through after-school clubs.

"I am really excited to be working with the island’s primary school children," she said. "I started gymnastics when I was first at school because a specialist coach came in looking for talent. I believe that every child should have the opportunity to try gymnastics at school.

"Gymnastics is a sport for all sports; it improves strength, movement, coordination and flexibility and a lot of those attributes are useful for all sports."

Ms Evans will be working in schools from September. 

Pictured top: Sports Development Officer Lottie Evans.