I can honestly say that UK school sport is in a far better state than I'd been led to believe.
I was sceptical when I started in my role as National School Sport Champion last February, but I've visited schools all over the UK since and there is lots of positive work being done.
 | NAT'L SCHOOL SPORT CHAMPION Kelly Holmes is charged with making sure more kids enjoy sport at school by 2010 |
Different activities - like street dance and rock climbing - are being offered alongside traditional sports like hockey and football. And the emphasis is on fun.
Not everyone wants to be the best or to take part in a competitive team sport, but they do want to do some sort of activity, to engage with friends and they also understand that sport has positive implications on health and fitness.
With the London Olympics around the corner, there are enhanced priorities regarding what sport we do in this country. This runs from training up elite athletes and filters down to schools because it is vital to start at the bottom.
Two particular projects I've been involved with are:
Girls Active - which has been exploring why so many teenage girls drop out of all sport. It's odd because body image is so important to them and sport can help them control that. This initiative has taken off tremendously and was embraced on a roadshow I went on. Girls came in with attitude and said they were not interested, but left with changed minds, saying they wanted to do something. It's about giving them a voice. Living for sport - which concentrates on disengaged youngsters - especially boys - who are on the brink of disaster in their lives. For example, we have got a group of guys who are now able to come out and speak to their peers, are confident and have direction, focus and inspiration in their lives. All because they were introduced to boxing. In the past, I think sport may have been undervalued, but that is changing now.
606 DEBATE: Is enough sport played at schools?
I think that PE teachers are very committed. I started sport when I was at school. My teacher identified me as a good runner and really encouraged me. Without her, maybe I would not have been spotted.
And this still happens - teachers around the country are taking interest in kids and are giving them opportunities.
|  It is harder for authorities to sell off playing fields |
Although there are limitations for some schools with poorer facilities, nearly all state schools are now involved in a partnership scheme.
They link up with sports colleges and with local clubs. This may mean lunchtime sessions off-site or bringing an experienced coach into the school to demonstrate how to make the best of what is available.
And it is harder for authorities to sell off playing fields, as they are only given permission to do so when the money raised goes to providing better sports facilities and to benefiting the local area.
The government is investing �1.5bn via the National School Sports Strategy between 2003-2008 and the Youth Sport Trust has helped to put that money to use.
We are on target to hit our key goals; ensuring that 85% of 5-16 year-olds do two hours of PE per week by 2008; and making sure that all kids do four hours of sport - as part of curriculum and outside it - by 2010.
But another big part of all this is our volunteers scheme. Schools can only do so much to help every kid to take a benefit from sport. We need to get the parents involved and to take some responsibility. 
Dame Kelly Holmes will joining a debate on school sport on Five Live Sport on Thursday from 2000 GMT.
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