Press Release 28 Feb 2008

Teachers from 12 schools in Nottinghamshire headed to Brazil on 2 March 2008 to take part in a hectic week of activities surrounding the Brazilian launch of International Inspiration.  Whilst in Brazil, the teachers visited the schools earmarked as their partners to develop plans for the project.  They also explored how sport can be used as the basis for achieving impact across their school and local community.  

One UK teacher commented, ‘It was invaluable to visit the Brazilian school. It has created a huge momentum to set the project off and has established friendships between individuals which we hope will be longstanding.’

The UK and Brazilian teachers also took part in an international partnership seminar which was attended by the Brazilian Secretary for Educational Sports and the Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust in the UK.  The programme ended on 8 March when 20 young leaders organised a sports festival for 150 young people from a deprived neighbourhood in Recife.

For the young leaders, the partnership has already given them the skills and confidence to go on and organise future sport festivals for young children in their schools and local communities. For the Brazilian and UK teachers it has started the process of linking their schools together through sport and, of course, of developing longstanding friendships.