NORTH Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has pledged to become a School Sport Champion and shown his support for high quality PE and sport in schools.

Justin attended the parliamentary launch of the Youth Sport Trust’s Unlocking Potential Manifesto, which is calling on the next government to ensure every child has access to high quality PE and sport opportunities at school.

During his time as a councillor and lead member for leisure on Swindon Council, Justin engaged schools and local sports groups and established the town’s Sports Forum, and has helped lead the campaign to promote the positive impact sport can have on young peoples’ lives as well as supporting the Government’s new £150m School Sports Premium.

He said: “I really do believe in the power of PE and school sport.

“PE and school sport provides numerous benefits for young people as it improves physical and mental health, builds resilience, creates active habits for life and boosts academic achievement.

“Yet with only 21 per cent of boys and 16 per cent of girls currently doing the amount of physical activity they need to stay healthy, that too many children are living inactive lifestyles, damaging both their health and their ability to succeed.

"Unlocking Potential: A Manifesto for PE and School Sport argues that by prioritising PE and school sport at the next election, the next government has a critical opportunity, not only to improve our nations’ health, but to boost our education and sporting prospects.”

Visit youthsporttrust.org/manifesto