Schools across Scotland will Step Up as part of Glasgow 2014’s annual Sport Your Trainers campaign and forge links with young people across the Commonwealth with support from Scottish pole vaulter Jax Thoir.

In this ground-breaking initiative, Education Scotland is working in partnership with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to raise awareness among Scotland’s pupils of the 71 nations and territories in the Commonwealth, aimed at inspiring them to create links with schools in other countries and to learn more about each other.

As part of the Sport Your Trainers campaign, Scottish schools will be encouraged to be as active as possible on 12th March Commonwealth Day, by walking, jogging, rowing, cycling, spinning, hopping or even skipping throughout the day.

Ahead of 12th March, Education Scotland used their virtual education network ‘Glow’, to provide information on the Step Up challenge and possible Sport Your Trainers activities. The highlight of the session was a special live online ‘Glow Meet’, with Scottish Pole Vaulter and Glasgow 2014 hopeful Jax Thoirs. Jax took part in an hour long session with youngsters across the country, answering questions about his sport and his ambition to compete for Team Scotland in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Recounting his experience Jax said: “Going to the school was a really interesting experience for me. I enjoyed the chance to raise awareness about my event and to allow people to get to know me. Getting your face out there with Glasgow 2014 coming up is really important and means that I can have as much support as possible when the Games arrive.”