ALMOST 300 sporty youngsters enjoyed a fun-filled day of activities while they learnt new lessons through sport.

The Learning Through Sport Day, hosted by the University of Worcester in partnership with the County’s leading sports clubs and local energy company npower, saw the children get involved in a host of games.

The day, was at the St John’s Campus before an afternoon visit to Worcestershire County Cricket Club, where they got the chance to play on the famous New Road pitch and watch county professionals take on Yorkshire.

Activities were led by University lecturers, players and coaches from Worcestershire County Cricket Club, Worcester Warriors Rugby Club and Worcester Wolves Basketball Team, along with members of a number of other local sports clubs. Mick Donovan, head of the institute of sport and exercise science at the University of Worcester, said: “The day was a huge success with children from several schools from around the county working together and enjoying a host of sporting activities. We were delighted that so many sports partners, clubs and our community partner npower, got together with us to deliver this experience of Learning Through Sport for young people.”

The event also saw the launch of a new learning aid for teachers to help children with their maths and English, using sport. The Learning Through Sport DVD has been developed by academics, teacher training students and athletes at the University of Worcester in collaboration with teachers at 10 local schools and SATs markers. It is already being used by several schools across the UK.

David Leatherdale, commercial director at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, said: “To see the New Road outfield covered in nearly 300 excited children playing cricket was wonderful and hopefully added to each child’s enjoyment of the university’s Learning Through Sports Day.

“It is not often the two umpires receive mass applause and high fives when walking onto the field.”