Jack Rutter, a Team GB Paralympic footballer, is using his inspirational story to motivate and get pupils moving at Usk Primary School as part of the ‘Sports for Schools’ programme. The programme seeks to get professional athletes into schools to share their enthusiasm for sports, promote a healthy lifestyle and inspire pupils to overcome challenges, all whilst raising funds to support the school’s sports facilities.

Jack was due to become a professional footballer until an unprovoked assault led him to suffer a serious brain injury. After years of hard work and rehabilitation, Jack has since captained the England Cerebral Palsy team, and with his leadership, came 5^th in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. As part of the Sports for Schools programme, Jack is one of over 40 professional athletes involved that introduces the pupils to a fun fitness circuit, encouraging both pupils and staff to be more active. On Monday 5^th of July, Jack’s fitness circuit incorporated all children in Usk Primary School, following up with an inspirational assembly explaining his life story and welcoming questions asked by the pupils.

Councillor Paul Pavia, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member for Education, said: “I’m delighted that Jack has been able to attend Usk Primary this morning to share his inspirational life story with the children. I think it shows that if you have a positive mental attitude you can achieve whatever you want to achieve, which is exactly what these pupils need after a challenging 16 months dealing with the pandemic. Jack has certainly had the children working hard this morning.”

The Sports for Schools programme has raised over £4 million to fund new sports equipment for primary schools across the UK, as well as partly funding GB Athletes train for Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

For more information on the Sports for Schools programme, please visit: School Fundraising Ideas | School Sports Equipment (sportsforschools.org)