have built on the appeal of it being a simple, inclusive and fun activity. From this we’ve created a number of initiatives to bring new participants to sport, not just create a shift of those already play- ing sport, transferring sports or starting a new sport.” The ‘Smile it’s Rounders’ online tool-


kit, which can be downloaded from www.roundersengland.co.uk, has been designed to reach three distinct audienc- es; parents, students and the corporate workforce. Through tailored messages about playing opportunities, the toolkit comprises four key elements – Chuck It, Whack It, Leg It, Smile! – and gives play- ers information on how they can get started and the basic rules. Return To Rounders, like other success-


ful NGB engagement campaigns such as Back To Hockey, encourages more wom- en and girls to come back to Rounders. This includes women and girls who have not played since they left school, or who have never played before but with the overall objective of encouraging more people to play more often. To help broaden the appeal of the


sport, Indoor Rounders was established outside the traditional playing season of March to October. Successful part- nerships have been set up with leisure


Issue 1 2013 © cybertrek 2013


Unlike most NGBs, Rounders England doesn’t intend to have purpose-built sites


centre chains across the country and to support this, training has been delivered to staff to act as Rounders Activators so they can facilitate indoor games. The primary focus for Rounders Eng-


land Activators is to raise awareness and drive interest for organised sessions. Alison Howard says: “Our Activators em- body real drive, passion and enthusiasm


Among the key strategies is to increase


the number of 14-25-year-olds who play the sport at least once a week


when it comes to encouraging adults and families to get involved. By ex- ploiting social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, we’ve seen fan- tastic examples of the invaluable work these volunteers carry out within their local communities.”


ENCOURAGING MORE CHILDREN INTO THE SPORT Rounders England works with the char- ity Youth Sport Trust to provide physical literacy programmes for primary school children so they can grasp the basic skills such as balance, agility, movements, throwing, catching and running. At secondary school pupils can take


part in Rounders Young Leaders cours- es and Rounders England also works with groups such as Street Games and Us Girls to provide play opportunities outside the school curriculum. There are opportunities for young people to become UKCC L1 Rounders coaches from the age of 16 and to become of- ficials from the age of 14.


Read Sports Management online sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 35


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