Sport for the unsporty

[Roisin]

I saw a report on \link{http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4070033.stm\BBC news} about Tory pledges for extra after-school sport, and it set me thinking. What I feel is lacking in this country is sporting opportunities for non-sporty children. Even within schools the emphasis seems always to be on those children who are naturally athletic and successful sports people, rather than encouraging everyone to exercise and find something which they enjoy.

My ds1 is only 7, currently he still enjoys sport - even though he is below average in just about all sports. Already the sports clubs (tennis, football, athletics) for this age-group round here only seem appropriate for children who are very serious about their sport, and very talented too. His 'best sport' is swimming, but it is clear he won't be 'invited to join' the swimming club as he is not of that calibre. But in 2 or 3 terms he will have completed all the available swimming lesson classes, beyond which there are no opportunities for him to swim 'as a sport' rather than as a casual leisure activity.

At my friend's kids' school they choose the sports teams by drawing names out of a hat - that's an attitude I like!
I worry about my poor ds re school sport. When he's an adult it won't matter a jot that he's totally uncoordinated, but it seems such a horrible big deal at school. I remember how vile it all was and how miserable it made me and others like me. If I ruled the world there would be no bloody PE at all. Optional sport and yoga etc but nothing compulsory. The emphasis on being 'good at sport' leads to a lot of bullying IMO.

Could he start Junior Lifesaving Club, Roisin? I know there's one near us that caters for kids who enjoy swimming, want to learn but are just not into competitive swimming.

I'm out of touch with what goes on in schools sports wise these days - I didn't think they did it anymore tbh.

At 7 we all did 'gym' and movement to music - you don't have to be 'sporty' for that. We also did 'country dancing' which was great - I loved it - exercise without realising it.
Do they do anything like that in schools now?

If not, why not?

You'd have to do it with him, but what abour orienteering, lots of map reading to tie into his intelect IYSWIM

My DS (9yrs) is similar. He still swims but started diving at age 7 and loves it (but will never compete.) He does badminton which in his group is uncompetitive but best bet is CUBS. They do running around games & his pack are in a football tournament but haven't won a game yet & no-one cares, they just have fun.

Hmb - ah just realised who you are! - We definitely fancy orienteering ... he's done two introductory sessions and loved it, but it seems he's a bit on the young side for the clubs atm, and I'm not sure it's a practical possibility for us - we'll see. But that's exactly the sort of thing I mean - orienteering is quite clearly the sport for a certain group of people, but there are very few opportunities within schools for that sort of thing.

Milliways - don't even mention Beavers/cubs ...!

Joolstide - at school they do have lots of dance lessons (with a professional dance teacher) - which is great.

YG - he can do lifesaving badges as intensive holiday courses, I think, but not a club. (A club would be great.) But I don't think he's quite strong enough yet. (Technically he can - they have to "be able to swim 50m" and he did 4 lengths on Saturday - I was so proud - but the lifesaving course lessons are 1 hr long, and I don't think he's got the stamina for that yet.)

What about Tae Kwon Do or Karate?

Yes, I was going to suggest karate too - my 6 year old not very co-ordinated DS1 does it and because it is an individual, non-competitive sport it is all at your own level, so no worries about teams etc. Also it is great for co-ordination as it requires you to focus on one body movement at at a time. Good too for self-confidence and discipline; it's often recommended for ADD/ADHD children, I think.

ds1 (11) is mr unsporty, the one that everyone has to wait for after cross country. Was very annoyed last week as he had to go in top games group (everyone else away on trip) and play proper rugby. Not only did he get muddy (shock horror) but there were rabbit droppings on the ground-can you believe that
I digress-he really enjoys fencing and Judo. Both good imho for coordination. He has managed to get to a yellow belt in judo which really spurs him on, and honestly, if he can do it, anyone can (I dont mean that in a nasty way!)

Refering strictly to the title of this thread I was going to suggest chess

on a more serious note, how about cycling?

archery?

that's probably not a word in the english language. hmmm. like bows and arrows I meant. what is it called???

There are some great suggestions here.

What I am saying is if 'Big Brother Government' want to plough money into children's sport, and encouraging more children to do more exercise, they should be putting money into these sorts of sports, to encourage those children who have not so far been turned on by the more traditional sports like football, tennis and rugby.

Can I ask about karate? I know nothing about it, so please excuse my ignorance. Is it not basically just about hitting and kicking other people?

Try him on lifesaving as soon as you think he's up to it. The teacher of the courses should know where the nearest club is. He'll not only be getting some exercise but will learn some invaluable skills.

I'm biased though, I've been a volunteer beach lifeguard for years and had endless years of fun through it, made the best friends.... and met my dh. It's a brilliant hobby.

Roisin, I didn't know much about karate until a friend's son asked my DS1 to go along to his class. Although it is a martial art and therefore has developed as a fighting system, the training involved is all about learning a series of formalised movements (punches, kicks, twists, guards) rather than fighting. I don't know if they do actually fight at the higher belt levels. But from what I've seen of my son's lessons, there's no combat, at least at his level (he's only just passed his first belt). There's a strict hierarchy and respect to elders/wisers is very important eg bowing to the sensei and senior belts, thanking the sensei for training. Actually I've been quite impressed by it because I think it's taught him all sorts of things, not least self-control and focus. But ultimately I guess it is about fighting......

\link{http://www.martialartsadvantage.com/\This is where my 5 year old does Tae Kwon Do.}

An excerpt from their website about why kids should study martial arts:

"For people new to the martial arts, the benefits of martial arts training might not be obvious. Some will think, sure, it's a great workout--just look at that "Ty Bo" guy. And of course it's good for self-defense, with all that punching and kicking. But the benefits of martial arts training, especially for children and teenagers, are much more than simple physical improvements. Martial arts benefits span a spectrum of physical, mental, and social attributes, all of which are learned and improved through martial arts training.

Physical benefits include the following:
· Physical fitness
· Personal security

Mental benefits include the following:
· Learning abilities
· Goal setting
· Discipline

Social benefits include the following:
· Camaraderie
· Self-esteem
· Respect
· Calming"

Although my 5 year old isn't ADHD (at least I don't think so), she is clumsy, uncoordinated and lacking in self-control and spatial awareness.

She wouldn't do well in team sports, but she loves Tae Kwon Do, and I think it's great because it's exercise and it's also teaching her about respect.

I saw the end of her class today. Her teacher was telling them a champion is someone who always does their best, and that that's what they should always do. I love that! They have to call their teacher "Sir", and have to show respect for their classmates (not interrupting, for example).

She won "Student of the week" today [proud icon], and all the other kids lined up to shake her hand and tell her congratulations!