British elite triathlete, Olivia Mathias, has been announced as an ambassador for Active Skills for Life, a British Triathlon children and young people programme that uses swim, bike, run to develop essential skills that can be used in all aspects of life.
Active Skills for Life is designed to support schools, clubs and community organisations deliver swim, bike, run and transition skills, the core disciplines of triathlon, helping to nurture physical literacy amongst children and young people aged 7-14.
Through placing fun, enjoyment and values at the core of the programme, Active Skills for Life will set children of all abilities on their way to active and healthy lifestyles, with teachers, leaders and coaches supported to deliver the age-appropriate sessions through on-going CPD.
Mathias is based at British Triathlon’s Performance Centre at Loughborough University, with the 25-year-old growing up taking part in triathlon as a member of her local club, 4Life Tri Club.
Having represented Great Britain at the top level of racing around the world and winning mixed relay silver with Wales at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Mathias is looking to share her love for swim, bike, run and an active lifestyle with the next generation as she continues to compete amongst the best in the world.
Speaking on her announcement as an Active Skills for Life Ambassador, Mathias said: “I’m so grateful to have been involved in physical activity since being a little girl, since then sport has been a massive part of my life.
“I aspire to give the opportunity of being physically active to as many children as possible, which is why I’m excited to become an ambassador for Active Skills for Life and hope to inspire as many children as possible.”
Active Skills for Life breaks down the disciplines of triathlon (swimming, cycling and running) to help children to learn core life skills through play and engaging in physical activity. Tailored to meet the needs of children aged 7-14, the sessions are designed to be accessible to all children and in all settings.
The session packs include how to deliver for children with disabilities built in, with swimming and cycling activities adaptable to be delivered outside of the pool and without bikes, whilst still developing physical literacy skills.
Announcing their Active Lives data for the end of 2023, Sport England shared that less than half of the country’s children are meeting the recommended daily physical activity amount as set out by the Chief Medical Officer.
Amy Hall, Head of Children and Young People at British Triathlon, said: “We’re incredibly excited to have Olivia onboard as part of the Active Skills for Life Team.
“She’s a great advocate for participating in swim, bike, run and triathlon, and has a real passion for helping children and young people to explore a sport that has given her so much, something that the Active Skills for Life programme enables in schools and community settings.
“Active Skills for Life provides resources and support for teachers and deliverers to nurture the physical literacy of the children in their care, helping to establish healthy and active lifestyles from an early age.”
As part of her ambassadorship, 10 schools will receive the Active Skills for Life resources for free and Mathias will visit a number of schools to share what swim, bike, run and triathlon means to her.
Find out more about Active Skills for Life by visiting the website or emailing activeskillsforlife@britishtriathlon.org.
