RUGBY World Cup winner Jason Robinson and Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead were two of the special guests who spoke at the Shropshire Primary PE Conference 2021 earlier this week.

The event was held on Thursday, October 7, organised and delivered by Oswestry-based The Marches Academy Trust.

More than 100 teachers, headteachers and physical educational professionals visited the Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium, home of Shrewsbury Town Football Club, for the event, which welcomed five inspiring keynote speakers, as well as workshop hosts and over 30 physical education exhibitors to share the first physical education conference in Shropshire since 2014.

Robinson, a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner with England, shared a powerful presentation on his background as a child and how he always remembers where he first started, while Paralympic 200m gold medallist Richard Whitehead spoke about the highlights of his career.

The founder of the Daily Mile, Elaine Wyllie, talked about the programme that she set up while she was a headteacher in Scotland and how the programme is now being run all over the globe. Delegates were reminded that the Daily Mile is free and is available to all schools and young people.

Sue Wilkinson, the chief executive of the Association of Physical Education, spoke about trying to rebuild our physical education offer within schools and taking it back to basics following the pandemic.

Jon Smedley, the founder of Teach Active, explained the importance of physically active learning in curriculum lessons and how this can make a difference, not only in school but also in the lives of young people.

George Hounsell, director of primary sport and community at The Marches Academy Trust, said: “I would like to thank the delegates for attending the Shropshire Primary PE Conference.

“It has been a hard time for staff and schools during the pandemic and they are still facing daily battles. I hope attendees enjoyed the day and have come away inspired and equipped with further knowledge and ideas to drive physical education forwards in their schools. It was fantastic to see sporting professionals such as Jason and Richard agreeing to visit Shropshire and support this educational event.”

The Shropshire Primary PE Conference 2022 will take place on October 6, 2022, at Shrewsbury Town Football Club. Early bird tickets can be reserved by emailing learning@mmat.org.uk.