PLAY SPORT
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The result

Ladder
[uncredited]

Play Sport has had a number of positive impacts in its first year:

• It is expected to exceed its overall participation target of 215, 000 young people and is already exceeding its targets on female, disabled and BME participants
• Anecdotal evidence suggests that the project is already reaching many young people who have been largely inactive and with no previous interest in sport and providing a safe, enjoyable and memorable introduction to a range of different sports
• Play Sport has helped to embed the principles of LTAD (long term athlete development) FUNdamentals in a number of selected sports
• The project is influencing and spreading good practice in sports coaching locally
• It is further enhancing the continuity between coaching in extra curricular school and community settings
• The project is encouraging the cross fertilisation of ideas across different sports and encouraging support and cooperation between coaches and clubs in different sports
• Feedback by leaders suggests a marked improvement in coordination skills amongst participants and importantly confidence
• Coaches in the sports development network are able to signpost young people to mainstream clubs
• An unexpected outcome has been the inclusion of FUN sessions by play development workers as a direct result of Play Sport sessions
• A CD Rom is to be created to leave with play workers and teachers. It will be available in September 2006.

"An excellent support programme, which has added to the PE curriculum. Plenty of enjoyment and it has been a pleasure to see how much the children have improved."

The reasons for its success

Play Sport's success has depended upon many factors, particularly:

• Partnership with strong existing networks: Sports Development Officers and local networks including sports partnerships, clubs and schools
• Coaches are of a high standard and are willing to put in the hard work individually, as well as working well as a team
• Coaches come together at specific times to share ideas and good practice in order to build on what they are doing as individuals
• Coaches are well received by clubs because of the high standard of delivery
• Coaches work side by side with club coaches, teachers and play leaders and therefore are able to leave a legacy of innovation and good practice
• It was found that when working with the 4-11 age range, promoting the sessions that the coaches were providing as 'fun' rather than 'sport' has had surprisingly positive results with the youngsters.
• "All the children enjoyed the sessions especially one who has never smiled in PE until today - thanks!"

Further information