Pupils at St James C of E Junior school in Barrow in Furness have completed a 12-week sporting achievement programme, delivered by JR Sports in partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.

Founded by Jason Robinson CBE, English former dual-code international rugby league player, the JR sports programme is fully inclusive and seeks to encourage all children to engage in multi-sports activities, nurturing personal and collective development.

JR works with schools promoting not just rugby, but a range of sports to suit choice and ability of the children. Building confidence and helping children realise the many benefits sports provides both physically and mentally, not only helps tackle today’s challenges, but also into the future. Qualities which will stay with participating individuals for the rest of their lives.

The programme also assists teachers in providing upskilling support, so they have the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver a high-quality physical education curriculum and to create innovative physical activity opportunities.

Jason Robinson CBE said: “I am always delighted to be able to give back to local schools and communities by delivering our multi-sports programmes. This particular programme for St James C of E Junior School was only made possible with the help and support from Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, who sponsored this initiative. The funding provides a coach-led programme that builds on the children's motivation, confidence and helping them benefit from the power of sport. We had a lot of fun along the way, and it was fantastic to see the impact it had on the children involved.”

St James C of E Junior school in Barrow-in-Furness was identified by the Cumbria County Council Active team as the school which would initially trial the programme.

Liam Reid, Assistant Head Teacher, said: “Being an urban school in a central area of Barrow-in-Furness does provide its challenges for growing and developing the aspirations of our children. Our children love sport. We are proud to have past county champions and regional finalists in various competitions, but have sometimes struggled to help children maintain a lasting love for sport, that can provide key skills to support them in being successful in the pathway they choose.

“To have a former International and World Cup winner in Jason Robinson visit in the hope of inspiring our current generation was amazing. The children were hooked instantly. The children since have been researching, in their own time, his past achievements and his legacy.”

The programme was supported and introduced to the area by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure a civil and engineering contractor.

Caroline Hindmarch, Enhancing Communities Manager at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure said: “Through the work we currently deliver in Barrow- in-Furness we identified that the area would benefit from this programme, and we wanted to help inspire the next generation.

“We attended the school in September to experience one of the sessions for ourselves and one of the pupils there was a massive rugby fan. You could see their face light up with inspiration as they got to meet an idol. For us, that is why enhancing communities is so important to us. Sometimes it will impact a whole town, sometimes it might only impact one person, but if it inspires them for the future, we know we have supported the right programme.”

All the pupils have now completed the 12-week programme, which included 60 sessions delivered through the school day. To recognise the end of the programme, the pupils have had a celebration of the achievement event, along with receiving sporting goody bags and sports equipment for the school.