KEY INFORMATION

Recommended age group: 7–14
Time required: one 45–60 min session
Equipment: Winter Team Sports Challenge, cones, three bean bags, hula hoop, ball, target marker, gym mat.


ACTIVITY IDEA

These team challenges are a great way to explore Winter sports, without the need for complicated equipment, or snow! To discover more about the teamwork at the Winter Games, check out our active assembly and film featuring athletes and support staff from Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

LIST OF SPORTING EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES IN SOCHI 2014

Olympic Games: biathlon, bobsleigh (bobsleigh and skeleton), curling, ice hockey, luge, skating (figure skating, short track speed skating and speed skating), skiing (alpine, cross country, Nordic combined, ski jumping, freestyle and snowboard)

Paralympic Games: biathlon, alpine skiing, wheelchair curling, ice sledge hockey, cross country skiing

All the events test many different skills and attributes such as speed, stamina, strength, balance, co-ordination, accuracy and control – not to mention courage as all the events take place on snow or ice!

  • Pupils compete in teams of six and take on seven different modified winter sporting events (pupils may want to compete dressed in hats, scarves and gloves).
  • Teams will gain an understanding of winter sports, experience the Olympic and Paralympic Values and win points for their team as they take part in each winter sporting event.
  • Points could also be awarded for the best team celebratory cheer, fair play or those who have shown exceptional teamwork.
  • The team with the most points at the end of the challenge wins.

CREATE, CELEBRATE AND CHEER FOR TEAM UNITY

Pupils create a team name, related to Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018 or another Winter Games, such as the mascots, different equipment used in the Winter Games or a country competing there. Here are some examples:

Team White Tiger, Team Soohorang, Team Bandabi , Team Leopard, Team Hare, Team Polar Bear, Team Snowflake, Team Ray of Light, Team Ski, Team Snowboard, Team Luge

CELEBRATE THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC VALUES

Each event will require teams to demonstrate the Olympic and Paralympic Values. You could award points for those that display them exceptionally well: Olympic Values: respect, excellence and friendship; Paralympic Values: courage, determination, equality and inspiration.

CREATE SOME WINTER CHEER

Ask pupils to create a cheer for their team and to use this as their team celebration as they take part in each event.

FINISH THE DAY IN STYLE

Hold a whole school celebration where you can praise the pupils for their efforts, award Values certificates for individuals or teams that have shown exceptional commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values, or even have a short closing ceremony. Why not ask young leaders, the school council or a group brought together specially for the day to plan and stage a five-minute ceremony?