Now the youngsters from Years 5 and 6 at Longridge's Barnacre Road Primary School are able to lead playground games with small groups at playtimes.
They undertook week long intensive training in the Young Leaders Award programme with Paul Earnshaw, the school sports coordinator for the area's primary schools, who is based at St Cecilia's RC High School.
He worked with the Barnacre trainees for approximately 10 hours of teaching time to cover the content of this award, with as much time as possible to observe the leaders.
As well as leading playtime groups, the youngsters can now also help the school's aim to ensure their young colleagues enjoy sports and exercise outside PE lessons..
Their PE subject leader at Barnacre, Mr Smith, said: "The children have shown huge commitment and enthusiasm throughout the entire process and are looking forward to leading activities after the February break. They have all worked incredibly hard."
And one of the newly qualified young sports leaders, Chris Howarth, commented: "I can't wait to start after the holidays, it has been great fun!"
With the other leaders, he helped to model the school's new football kit, purchased through the generosity of Mr and Mrs Newby at Ribble Valley Tyre and Auto Services in Longridge.
The pupils who took part were, for Year 5, Jessica Berry, Jade Fordham, Jessie Seed, Daniel Forrest, Ellie Winder, Katie Peters, Oliver Lewis, Abla Ebbiary, Jade Read, Slaney Murphy, Hannah Thorpe, Abbey Walker, Jack Worden, Sean Murphy and Matthew Howarth - and for Year 6, Chris Howarth, Josh Haarpin, Josh Heathcock, Ruth Fazackerley and Lillie Holden.
* The Young Leader Award is a programme of leadership training for young people between the ages of nine and 13 that promotes them working with younger children, teaching leadership skills through a range of games and activities.
The award focuses on specific skills such as giving instructions, the organisation of people and equipment and the use of space.
Rather than breaking leadership down into its constituent parts, the award teaches these topics through a practical, activity-based, holistic approach.
In this way, the young leaders 'learn by doing' and, by the end of the course, will not only have the confidence and ability to lead others but will also have knowledge and experience of an extensive range of games and activities.
* Barnacre Primary has also sent over ten members of school welfare and support staff to take part in the 'Huff and Puff Activity Programme' which aims to introduce structured games into playtimes.
As part of this training the school has received £500 worth of playground equipment.