Selkirk hockey star Sarah travels home

Selkirk's own Scottish and Great Britain hockey star Sarah Robertson, left, shows off the ‘Training for Tokyo 2020’ Games Passport with Live Borders Active Schools Co-ordinator Karen Cornwall (picture by Rob Gray)

It’s all to do with celebrating the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics – and aims to encourage young people from P1 to P7 in the Scottish Borders to get active and enjoy a range of sports.

The Passport has been designed by the Live Borders Active Schools Team, and former Selkirk High School student Sarah took time out of her Olympic preparations to meet with children from her home town, who are eagerly awaiting the Passport’s start date on March 2.

Sarah, who plays her club hockey in London and is a member of the GB Ladies squad bound for the Japanese capital, said the Passport was a great way to get young people out taking part in sport.

Sarah Robertson helped to launch the ‘Training for Tokyo 2020’ Games Passport along with, from left, Flynn Ferrie, Cora Dow, Belle Ferrie, James Cowens, Cameron Cowens and, front, Ollie Gillard (picture by Rob Gray)

“Getting kids out playing hockey, football, golf or tennis is brilliant and with the excitement of the Olympics just around the corner, it is a great chance to trial some of the sports like badminton, karate or table tennis,” she added.

“Growing up, I played all different sports and I believe it has helped make me become a well-rounded hockey player, with transferable skills from many sports.

“Who knows – this year’s Passport may just uncover a future Borders Olympian.”

This is the fifth Passport which local charity Live Borders has overseen, following the 2012 London Olympics, 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Live Borders hopes to encourage as many primary pupils in the Scottish Borders to get active and enjoy a range of sports, all while trying to gain points towards a certificate, bronze, silver or gold medal of their very own.

The Passport Programme will conclude following the Olympic Games on August 9.

Senior Active Schools co-ordinator, Paul Scott, from Live Borders added: “We believe it is important to continue to build a lasting legacy in sport and physical activity participation in the Scottish Borders.

“Over the last eight years since London 2012, we have run four Passports and all of them have achieved huge success in encouraging more children to be more active, more often.

“We can’t wait to get started and hope our young Borders’ people enjoy the challenge while being healthier, happier and stronger.”

The Games Passports are available for children in P1-3 and P4-7 and will be distributed by Live Borders Active Schools Coordinators in the coming days.

Each P1-3 and P4-7 Passport lists a number of different sports at the Tokyo Olympics, while each sport has been allocated five points.

Pupils can accumulate points by taking part in as many Tokyo sports as possible between Monday, March 2 and Sunday, August 9.

There are additional opportunities to gain 10 participation bonus points this year. These are gained by pupils completing the same sport at least three times.

This can be done for a maximum of three sports, giving a total of 30 bonus points. To claim these points, sports must be signed off and dated by the club coach three times.

Pupils can also gain 10 additional points if they join a community club or if they participate in a ‘wildcard sport’. he wildcard is any sport that is not listed on the Passport.

To claim these additional points, the Passport must be signed off by a club coach or coach in charge of the specific wildcard session.

For more information on the ‘Training for Tokyo 2020’ Games Passport, visit www.liveborders.org.uk.