The Youth Sport Trust has launched its Class of 2035 today (Thursday 4 February), which looks ahead to what young people’s relationship with PE and school sport might look like in 20 years.
The Class of 2035 microsite uses detailed insight to present four possible scenarios depicting the potential relationships between technological empowerment/disempowerment, the relevance and quality of PE and school sport, and levels of physical activity in them.
It also offers insight into the impact of this on the physical and emotional wellbeing of the next generation and the effect this has on their educational achievement.
Working with leading agency the Future Foundation, which has used insight to support this work, the site is designed to spark wide-ranging debate as to what the future opportunities and challenges may be to getting young people more active.
Among the four visions of how the Class of 2035 may look, the best case scenario sees young people empowered to participate fully in PE, sport and physical activity, in and out of school.
The worst case scenario shows a sidelined generation consumed by digital media with very little time spent on outdoor activity, leaving them lethargic and broadly unhappy.
The microsite was unveiled at the Youth Sport Trust national conference at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire on Thursday 5 January.
The conference marks the 20th anniversary of the Youth Sport Trust and the charity used the occasion to launch a campaign to raise £20m by 2035.
Youth Sport Trust chief executive, Alison Oliver, said: “We are delighted to unveil the Class of 2035 concept, providing a unique look ahead to how PE and school sport may need to evolve in the coming 20 years.
“The challenge has now been set and the Youth Sport Trust is committed to using these scenarios to inform our own strategy and how we collaborate with others to ensure the best possible future.
“We believe physical education, sport and physical activity are central to achieving that outcome and giving our young people the best possible opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“That is why this look ahead to the Class of 2035 is so very important.”
To access the Class of 2035 microsite visit: www.classof2035.com
