More than 400 government schools are on track to receive Premier’s Sporting Challenge awards with the challenge activity period drawing to a close later this month.

School sports unit manager David Power said the number of schools participating in the challenge had “exceeded initial expectations” with more than 80 per cent of schools in line to receive silver and gold Premier’s Sporting Challenge awards.

“Keeping in mind that these schools are averaging a minimum of 45 to 80 minutes [exercise] per day each week – this is a fantastic effort,” Mr Power said.

More than 72,000 primary school students and 10,000 high school students are involved in the State Government initiative, which aims to encourage daily physical activity in an effort to combat childhood obesity.

Mr Power said he hoped “that all schools will participate in the Premier’s Sporting Challenge during the next three years”.

All schools participating in the challenge will receive a seeding grant, averaging $2,000, over the next three years to help put in place physical activity and healthy lifestyle initiatives associated with the Premier’s Sporting Challenge.

In 2008, 60 secondary schools and 200 primary schools received a grant. A large number of schools across the 10 educational regions have also been visited by elite level athletes as part of the sporting challenge’s ambassador program.

More than 35 school visits have been conducted by challenge ambassadors such as Craig Wing and Robbie Farah (rugby league), Jayme Paris (Paralympic cyclist) and Susan Pratley (netball).

Mr Power said the involvement of the ambassadors had increased students’ motivation.

“The ambassadors have focused on messages around students having fun and enjoying a healthy involvement in physical activity,” he said.

Last month Ms Pratley visited four schools in the state’s central west and participated in a range of sporting activities.

“I hope that by spending time with these kids and participating in sporting activities with them I can encourage them to lead healthier lives,” Ms Pratley said.

Canowindra Public School assistant principal Susan Sevil said Ms Pratley’s visit had further inspired the school’s students who were on track for a gold Premier’s Sporting Challenge award.

“She encouraged the students to have a go at all sports,” Mrs Sevil said.

“The kids rarely get the opportunity to meet athletes like Susan who are at such an elite level of their sport.” Mrs Sevil said students were now more aware of their daily physical activity levels since participating in the sporting challenge.

“More students are playing in the backyard after school rather than going home and sitting in front of the television,” she said.