LIW SHOW PREVIEW
Leading kids’ activity provider champions new Youth Engagement Zone Fit for Sport's mission is
to show how to engage children in activity
L
eading the new Youth Engagement Zone at LIW this September, Fit for Sport, in
partnership with the COMPASS, is introducing the UK’s fi rst accreditation scheme for leisure organisations and professionals working with schools and young people. Fit for Sport believes it is vital that the leisure industry gets to the heart of what engages children to help drive innovation and develop sustain- able offerings to the youth market. Operations director, Craig Jones, com- ments: “To date, many innovations coming out of the youth sports mar- ket have been developed and driven by adults. It is imperative that we start listening to our youth audience to develop physical exercise programmes and solutions that excite them.” Following the ‘Start Active, Stay Active’ report on physical activity for health released from the Department for Health this July, Jones advocates that the key to a successful and sus- tainable youth sport engagement programme lies in the strong part- nership between innovative solutions providers and the passionate coaches
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and instructors who are employed to deliver the programme. Craig continues: “Children are sur-
rounded daily by the latest consumer technologies such as games consoles and the internet, so to get them off of the sofa and taking part in physical activities, they must be both fun and led by inspiring people. To help achieve this, LIW brings together best of breed solutions and top professionals from across the leisure industry, providing the perfect catalyst for renewed inno- vation in the youth sports sector.” In this time of austerity, it is more vital than ever that leisure centres and organisations are at the forefront of youth sports innovation and best practice to help improve profi tability through secondary revenue spend. For example, many leisure centres could lease spaces which sit empty throughout the day to local schools, or even to host children’s birthday parties. Many proactive leisure organ- isations are also hosting health days for local schools or sending their experts into the community to talk about fi tness and health, for example, in school assemblies.
Read Leisure Management online
leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital
Fit for Sport’s recent study revealed that two of the most popular phys- ical activities children undertake with their families are swimming and the Nintendo Wii. Jones says: “As an industry we must embrace ‘pes- ter power’ and reach out to our youth audience to understand what excites them. This will be a key aim in the Youth Engagement Zone at LIW.” Balanceability will also demonstrate its new activity programme designed to encourage all children between the ages of 2½ and 6 years-old to develop the confi dence, ability and skills to enjoy riding a bicycle without stabilis- ers. The programmes are developed by professionally qualifi ed instruc- tors with each session constructed around games, challenges and new experiences that are proven to achieve desired objectives. Children who have never previously ridden a bicycle are able to progress step-by-step and experience a variety of developmental exercises and skills. Jones says: “The Youth Engagement Zone at LIW will be a fantastic oppor- tunity to see how to engage children in physical activity." ●
ISSUE 4 2011 © cybertrek 2011
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