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Doing Sport Differently

"Not all children play in the school football team but every child can receive a positive experience from their involvement with sport in school." That's the view of Education Minister for Scotland, Jack McConnell, re-affirming the importance of sport in education. "Participation in sport is about people having fun. It can harness the energy and enthusiasm of young people," he continued.

All Head Teachers and their sports specialists will have individual ideas about how their own particular needs can be met, but one thing's for sure - those needs are very different from those of 40 years ago. Today, sport can, as Tony Balir recently put it, "be done differently".

And there is no reason why preferences for traditional sports and new activites cannot be accommodated in their plans, even where space may be at a premium.

Multi-use ball courts, practice goal modules, versatile multi-sport systems, basketball goals and fitness trails, as well as combinations of these elements can all play their part in the battle to get children fit and keep them that way.

Wildcats Premier Sport Activity System has already enabled many a school to replace the traditional sports field with a multi-use ballcourt. Whether you choose a design from the standard range or prefer a bespoke installation, Wildcats Premier, designed to BS PAS 30, accommodates football, basketball, hockey, cricket and netball.

Wildcats Premier Multi-sport Goal Module

It's a durable, vandal resistant product offering low maintenance and durability. Perhaps the most prized attribute, however, of this modular system is its flexibility. Depending on space and budget, schools may select anything, from stand-alone combination goals or goal modules, complete with side panels, to a full-size court with white-lining for several activities.

Another evolutionary system recently developed in tandem with Lancashire primary schools and the local council is the new Allrounda system available from Mclays.

Wicksteed Allrounda Multi-Sport System at St John Bosco School in Liverpool

Space-maximising Allrounda is an ingenious solution where space is at a premium. It can transform an area of Tarmac or unused ground into a sports arena for football, tennis, basketball, netball, hockey and cricket – not to mention 'high fives" and tag rugby! Allrounda is not only budget-friendly; it allows several different ball games to be played at the same time.

Sports areas created by Wildcats Premier or Allrounda are ideal for formal tuition and clubs, as well as for impromptu games and kick-abouts which all contribute to youngsters' fitness.

Fantasy Funrun Adventure Trail

This benefit is also true of Fantasy Funrun, Mclays' popular fitness trail which is robust as well as attractive to children, encouraging them to exercise and develop their balance and co-ordination skills whilst simply having fun! With each individual component Kitemarked to BS EN 1176, Fantasy Funrun comes in a wide variety of standard configurations. Here again, flexibility is the key and Mclays' advisers will explore the possibilities for bespoke designs to suit schools' sites and preferences.

The selection of Mclays sport and play equipment suitable for schools in promoting health and 'fighting the flab' is wide. It includes basketball, five-aside and combination goals for permanent fixing as well as portable basketball goals covering the 5 to 16 age range which are wheeled into position for outdoor or indoor team games or basketball practice and stored safely away when they're not in use. All in all Mclays is a valuable partner in helping Scottish schools to do sport the same but better, or to do it differently.

Editors, for further press information & images for reproduction, contact Liz Jansson
Email: liz@concept.uk.com