A prestigious invite for Kick-start

The University of Brighton’s all-male dance company, Kick-start, were invited to showcase their work at the Association for Physical Education’s annual national conference held at St Georges’ Park National Football Centre.

The dance company is made up of students on the Physical Education BA(Hons) with QTS course based at the university’s Eastbourne campus.

Kick-start performed to an audience of influential colleagues who work across the PE, sport and physical activity sector and included inspectors, education consultants, academics, representative from NGBs, government depts, sport professionals and practicing teachers.

Jack Ferguson, Kick-start member and second year student commented: “It was intense, but we really enjoyed the event; it was good to perform our dances that we’d worked so hard on throughout the year.

“If a similar event came up again we’d definitely be interested in going; it was really good professional experience.  The event provided us with a reminder of what it is to be a PE teacher and we got the chance to see what it would be like to attend a professional conference.

“We got to hear the key note speaker and take part in one of the discussion sessions.  A bonus was that we got to look around all the training facilities that the England team were using just weeks before our visit.”

The showcase was well received: 

“Just brilliant, lovely ideas, great choreography and such a high standard of performance.” Sue Trotman, Dance Desk, Independent Dance Consultant

“What a bright future these lads will have, they are incredible role models.” Michael Crichton, Chair of the Association for Physical Education

“I need my students to see this!” said another conference delegate.

At the event Dr Gary Stidder, Principal Lecturer in PE at the School of Sport and Service Management, was recognised for “making a difference to the teaching of physical education at national and international level”. Read more.