Sports clubs at primary level

[peppajay]

My dd is 9 and not very sporty. She loves her food and she is putting a bit of weight on. She currently does dancing and swimming but she hates swimming now as she is stage 8 and it is hard work lots of stamina needed and she hates diving. She does netball after school (which she hates!!) and did the lunchtime gymnastics for a few weeks (which she also hates!!). Part of the reason she doesn't like the clubs is because the sporty children who are good are always chosen for the teams and she is just there really to make up the numbers. I was the same at school I hated sport although I did enjoy netball but at primary level when I was younger it was all about fun and not about making the team for competitions. To be fair in the summer she is a bit more active always on the trampoline and we go for lots of walks. She is also a daydreamer and a very inquisitive child and we had to stop her riding her bike after constantly crashing and falling off as she was too busy looking around as to what was going on around her than concentrating on her riding. Anyway is this how all primary schools operate now re: sport?? I want her to enjoy doing some kind of sport and feeling that it is doing her good and is isn't something you do just to win at. I hated sport but was a very gangly underweight child who ate very little so the weight thing wasn't an issue. There are also badminton and athletics clubs but you have to 'audition' to get a place and only the good ones get a space. I am insisting she carries on swimming as it is the only real excercise she gets. She currently does brownies and dancing as well as swimming but think I will have to pay for her to do something out of school.

[Inkymess]

Try football? Clubs with girls teams tend to be very welcoming and it's great for those not into more girly graceful sports. There are less girls playing so it's easier to get in a team if she wants to. Most do training nights that are just fun games and drills. Most girls just love more girls joining them etc...

[Luna9]

Yoga is very good a keeping you fit and healthy. would she like that? Is there any class near by? You could also get some videos and do it with her at home for fun.

When I used to do 10 to 20 mins on weekdays I was very fit and slim. I still do it but am busier with kids so don't do it as often as I would like.

I would not force her into sports she doesn't like.

You can also try to offer healthier food choices at home. never pointing out the weight but more being healthy. Cutting down on unhealthy and unnecessary snacks.

My nice used to love sweets and snacks and put a bit of weight at that age but later on realised it herself she wasn't being very healthy and started looking after her figure more and avoid overeating.

[Luna9]

Niece not nice.

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

I was going to say yoga

Our school has teams made up in (shall we say) less co-ordinated children - the triers who don't win - but love it and need the co-ordination skills practised -

Some sports clubs offer this type as the recognise skills over achievement

If not why not!!

[Inkymess]

Martial arts are ace for confidence and coordination but less energetic - also well worth a thought

[my2bundles]

IT sounds like an awful lt of activities esp since she obviously gets nothing positive from them. Does she enjoy the dance? If so let her continue that and give up the others, you can still go swimming as a family to excercise. Let her play in the garden. Then find out what her interests are and let her follow them instead of something she obviously hates.

[mouldycheesefan]

Can't you take her swimming just for fun if she finds the lessons have lost their appeal?
Riding bike once per week?
Skipping, do a challenge at home
Wii fit is good

[exLtEveDallas]

I second the martial arts route. My DD is very sporty and active, but not very coordinated. She loves gymnastics but it takes an awful lot of effort on her part, same with netball, dance etc.

She's recently started judo and is getting on very well. She is the only 'ungraded' person at the club, but they have all been really welcoming and helpful. Her coordination is getting better as is her concentration.

[ErgonomicallyUnsound]

When DD gave up swimming, I said she needed another sport to take its place. She already does gym (outside school), netball and now football. She won't get picked for any teams but this doesn't really bother her - for her it's about having fun with her friends.

[redskytonight]

Was going to say martial arts as well - they have to be pretty fit to do them well and can progress at their own pace.

[mary21]

Judo
And if you have a river or canal near you look at kayaking.
Try and cook as much as possible from scratch so you can bulk out foods with lots of veg. Get the sugar swap app for your phone. Take a look at change4life. In our area they are doing a family fitness push.
Take a look at drinks. Limit fruit juice to 1 glass. Avoid all fizzy drinks. Limit squash
Junior park run might also be worth a look

[TeenAndTween]

At our school anyone who regularly turns up for practice would be part of the squad and would get equal(ish) time for matches. Very egalitarian. (Don't win much but the kids have fun)

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Try things that are less obviously competitive.

Martial arts, trampolining, climbing, lifeguards etc are all good exercise.

[Obs2016]

I also suggest judo or karate - my ds1 is not good at sport, but this has really helped.

[Inkymess]

Girls footy is in theory competitive but in reality the girls just have a great time running about a lot of the time. There is less competition to be on the team and a lot of clubs just give opportunities to anyone who wants to play etc The clubs tend to really encourage new players too