Welsh kids to benefit from big sporting changes

Big changes to the way children in Wales are given the skills to take part in sport is set to hit schools and clubs in 2012.

A new buzzword - multi-skills - will enter the Welsh sporting dictionary next year, with a pilot scheme already taking shape that will see early age children get kitted out for all sports.

More than ever, there is an appreciation that if our children are to have a life in sport one thing is certain - they need the skills and confidence from an early age to enable them to take part.

But while that may not be an entirely new concept, the way Wales tackles physical learning is about to undergo a change in emphasis.

"We've had a portfolio of resources in place for some time to get young people playing and interested in sport,"said Sport Wales Manager Julie Rotchell.

"Schemes like Dragon Sport (Primary School) and 5x60 (Secondary School) have given an introduction in skills and complemented work being done in curriculum PE and in the community.

"But we think we can take this a bit further and raise the bar even more. If a child has the skills early on in their life then they are more likely to play sport and keep playing sport. It is so important to develop generic physical skills first before moving into sport specific ones."

In support, the Welsh Government has recognised the importance of physical literacy and even set out its place as a development skill at the top of the class in importance alongside reading and writing. Running becoming another 'R' in education key skills.

The expectation is that, from the age of three up to 11, children will be set on a path to explore and learn through sport that will provide them with the building blocks to play sport.

From ages three to seven (foundation age) young people best experience skill development through play. Sport Wales'Play to Learnresources encourage this with resources to aid teachers, coaches and volunteers including story books, activity cards and a technical skills manual.

From ages seven to eleven (KS2) young people should experience opportunities to continue to develop general physical skills in order for them to be able to participate in a range of sports throughout their lives. And it is the new Dragon Multi-skills resource that has been designed to do this.

It means that rather than starting out by focussing on a particular sport, the focus will kick-off on the skills - such as balance, running and spatial awareness - that will then be transferred to football, tennis, netball, or whatever sport the individual wants to take part in.

Just like the traditional Dragon Sport scheme, there will be resources, guides and equipment made available to help run multi-skills sessions.

"A pilot project is currently looking at how this will work across a variety of different providers; leisure centres, clubs, schools, brownies and youth clubs to give some examples,"added Rotchell.

"Every child should have the opportunity to develop their physical skills in their local community. High quality experiences should be in place in school with the opportunity to progress in the community. This should link with leisure centres providing play to learn and multi-skills activity sessions, as well as clubs and other providers.

"We are looking at multi-sport hubs, which will be an ideal breeding ground before going on to sport specific activity."

To gauge the success of this model, Sport Wales is looking at developing a measurement for physical competency. For the first time, it is hoped that a tool can be used in a similar way to a 'reading age' to articulate the level of skills of young people. The expectation will be that all young people will have developed a level of generic physical competencies by the age of 11.

With the pilot scheme now underway, it is hoped that training and resources will be rolled-out in Spring 2012.

"Children from a young age love to run, jump, catch and throw,"says Rotchell."If we are able to provide appropriate opportunities to encourage these youngsters to develop a higher level of physical skills, we hopethey will have skills and confidence to develop a love of sport.

"Many young people do not take part in sport in secondary schools because they do not feel they have the necessary skills to do so. Also some of the first experiences in schools and clubs are inappropriate and can then put them off sport. This is a huge opportunity to make sure that all young people are encouraged to develop skills in order to enjoy sport throughout their lives."