How the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge is keeping school communities active and connected in 2021

As schools and families are adjusting to find new ways to stay connected and healthy, Team GB and ParalympicsGB are offering support through the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge.

Get Set is here to support and help improve the wellbeing of all school communities through the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge which is supporting 5 to 11-year-olds across the UK in getting active together.

Travel to Tokyo allows young people and their families to get active alongside their classmates virtually and celebrate their progress online as one school team.

Already over 420,000 children and 511,000 family members have begun their virtual journey and logged 180,000 sessions of physical activity. To get started, teachers can register with Get Set and, once they log their first activity, claim a free Tokyo Take-off Pack filled with stickers, bunting, posters, banners and more.

Every physical activity, no matter what it is, can be logged online as part of the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge on the Get Set website. Available on the website are a range of inclusive resources to get young people moving and each is designed to use simple household items so that anyone can get involved, regardless of their ability.

Staying active offers significant benefits to young people and has the potential to reduce stress and anxiety by providing routine and structure and increasing feelings of wellbeing.

Research from Sport England on the impact of changing routines in 2020 shows that while people faced many disruptions, outdoor activity actually increased and lockdown saw thousands of young people and adults participating more than ‘usual’.

Taking part as a family has been key to keeping adults and children active and Travel to Tokyo offers new and exciting active ideas to keep families moving.

Now that we’re in the year of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, logged activity will be converted into distance to make the 47,349 kilometres ‘round-the-world’ journey from London to Tokyo.

Young people can discover different countries and cultures from the safety of their own homes and unlock prizes to win for their school and families including signed adidas kit, Nintendo Switch Ring Fit Adventure Games and fitness trackers.

Neil Townshend, Chairman of the British Olympic Foundation, said:

The mental and physical health benefits of exercise are more important than ever, so we must find new ways of keeping active whilst staying safe at home. We’re proud the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge can continue to support schools and families in keeping active during these unprecedented times. We know the importance of community cohesion and we hope this challenge will create a sense of togetherness that will help support young people’s physical and mental health on their virtual journey to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Mike Sharrock, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association:

While we are dealing with new challenges, we’re pleased to invite all families across the UK to take part in our Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge and discover fun and creative ways to get moving, through our inclusive activities, while staying apart. We know that families need new ways of keeping active and, most importantly, having fun. We’re so thrilled to see how many families have logged activity already and look forward to seeing those involved in the Travel to Tokyo challenge join our athletes on a virtual journey to Tokyo this year.”

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of Sport England:

Through support from the National Lottery, we’re proud to fund the Travel to Tokyo virtual challenge to encourage children and their families across the UK to get active during this period of unprecedented disruption. Sport England’s research in 2020 highlights how getting active in new and creative ways can support our physical and mental wellbeing, and the Travel to Tokyo challenge is another creative way for children and families to form great exercise habits that have never been more important.”

Discover free, family activities at getset.co.uk/travel-tokyo

Stay updated with the latest news on Twitter @GetSetCommunity and @GetSetClub on Instagram and follow the journey using #TTTYourway.

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