Scotland’s sports stars are set to inspire youngsters to healthier and more active futures.
Tapping into the 2014 Commonwealth Games spirit, the Champions in Schools (CiS) programme was launched in Perth.
Athletes will make three visits to the same school class in the academic year, discussing the benefits of good nutrition, goal setting and exercise.
The launch comes as results of an Edinburgh University study, which confirmed that schoolchildren are highly receptive to receiving life lessons from leading Scottish athletes.
Based on responses from 411 pupils from 14 schools across Scotland in five local authorities, the research findings highlighted over 90% were inspired by athletes and thought a healthy diet and lifestyle was important.
Minister for Sport and Commonwealth Games Shona Robison launched the CiS programme at North Inch Community Campus.
She said: “Schools can help sow the seeds for a life-long participation in sport, which is why it’s very encouraging to see that so many children recognise the need and importance of regular physical activity and a healthy diet.
“Over the past year we have seen some of the world’s greatest athletes perform at their best.
“The Champions in Schools programme is doing a fantastic job showing how athletes’ hard work in sport and physical activity can pay dividends and in the run up to the Commonwealth Games next year the latest roll out of this programme could not be more timely.
“Sport is a long-term investment in our health and our sporting stars are important role models to help inspire the next generation of youngsters to get involved in sport.”
The research was conducted by Dr Christine Nash at the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, Edinburgh University.
She said: “These results show the positive influence of role models in sport, and how the Commonwealth Games provides a real opportunity to inspire the young people in Scotland to live healthier, more active lives.”