This is a project involving the organisation of motor tests combined with a football tournament for children with the support of each of the Ekstraklasa clubs – teams with players aged up to 12 are invited to the project. The main objective of the project is to test the level of physical fitness of young players training in football academies throughout Poland.
This is already the eighth edition of this project – the organiser of the event is the Ekstraklasa Foundation, and the project itself is financed by Ekstraklasa and the Ministry of Sport and Tourism. The tournaments take place from 5-25 September at the facilities of 18 Ekstraklasa clubs. The main aim of the project is to promote sport among children and young people, shape an active lifestyle and encourage the development of football skills.
It is extremely important to make the whole society aware of the importance of physical activity. Movement and the practice of sport are crucial to every child’s development. By conducting motor tests, we can track any changes and regularities over the years. The proof of the pudding is the joy of organising such events
and smile on the face of each of the youngest participants of the Ekstra Talent project,” says Marcin Stefański, the Operations Director of Ekstraklasa SA.
The key point of the project is the motor tests conducted by the scientific staff of the Academy of Physical Education from Warsaw, headed by Dr Janusz Dobosz. Three main tests are conducted during each event:
Each athlete’s results are recorded and collected into one common report. Most
outstanding participants receive additional prizes. Each event ends with a football tournament between the teams entered in the project.
Projects such as Ekstra Talent are a concrete incentive for each participant, showing the impact of taking up all forms of exercise on a regular basis. I am sure that there is nothing more enjoyable than the satisfaction that comes from practising sport and playing football. I hope that in a few years’ time we will be able to admire those brave players on Ekstraklasa pitches who marked their presence with beautiful goals and above-average results in motor tests during the Ekstra Talent project,” says Tomasz Zabielski, coordinator of the Ekstra Talent project.
Pre-school children are also invited to take part in the fun, as they can spend an active time on the prepared obstacle courses or during animation games. The entire setting of the event and the multitude of available forms of activity comprise
a large sports picnic, frequented not only by the competitors, but also by their parents
parents or carers. The events will be hosted by Dariusz Ślęzak (DJ Ucho), who as a DJ and announcer has hosted many popular sports events. The best possible warm-up will be provided by Kacper Lachowicz (Kacpa), a basketball coach – he has been co-leading Marcin GortatCamp since 2010.
Each of the athletes participating in the Extra Talent project can count on a number of gifts. First and foremost, all young athletes receive their prizes for participating in the tournament from their coaches and invited guests on a grand stage in a festive setting appropriate to the nature of a major event. All participants receive a commemorative diploma and medal, while the team can enjoy a magnificent trophy at the closing ceremony. In addition, the best competitors also receive dedicated statuettes.
More details will be available soon.
