By Tom Degun

May 25 - Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Tasha Danvers (pictured) has joined forces with UK Athletics and Aviva to launch a brand new awards scheme titled the Aviva UK Athletics Academy Awards.



Every child in the UK from seven upwards can now earn Aviva UK Athletics Academy badges and certificates while teachers and coaches are provided with easy to use wall chart planners and trackers to reward children for being involved in athletics.

The Awards can be achieved by taking part in track and field, indoor and endurance based athletics activities.

Danvers, who won a bronze medal in the 400 metres hurdles in Beijing after returning from having a child, said: "The Aviva UKA Academy makes it easier for every child in the UK to get involved in our sport and the Awards have been designed to recognise achievements within that.

"Last year Christine [Ohuruogu] launched the Aviva UKA Academy and recently Jess [Ennis] launched the teacher focused programme, Aviva Elevating Athletics.

"As elite athletes it’s important that we inspire the next generation of British athletes.

"We have a once in a lifetime opportunity with London 2012 to get children involved in athletics.

"With the Aviva UKA Academy and schemes such as the Awards it means we’re in a great place as a sport to inspire those children who become interested in our brilliant sport."



The Aviva UK Athletics Academy Awards will now sit alongside five other grassroots projects within the Aviva UK Athletics Academy, which is designed to engage children in athletics, encourage a healthy lifestyle and help to secure the legacy of the sport after the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Danvers said: "I always remember getting certificates in trampolining when I was at school.

"I was proud to and there was a real sense of excitement to receive a tangible award to take home.

"As a parent, I think it’s really important for children to work towards a goal and feel a sense of pride in what they have achieved."

The redevelopment of the awards is the result of a pioneering new partnership between UK Athletics, Aviva, the four Home Nation Federations and the English Schools Athletics Association to deliver a single athletics Awards across the UK.

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