GRASS ROOTS
INCLUSIVE ROUNDERS An increasing number of people with disabilities are playing rounders, and the NGB ensures that the sport can be adapted to make it accessible to all. Af- ter a successful pilot in 2011, the first of its kind in the country, the first wheel- chair version of the game took place. This was rolled out to selected schools across the country and now provides a valuable opportunity to those young people who may have to overcome huge barriers to access quality sports activity.
THE COMPETITIVE GAME Rounders England has a developing play- er pathway which can be entered at any stage, but commonly, adult players aged 16 and over begin by accessing a start- up rounders opportunity, for example a festival or a short rounders activity pro- gramme. From here they can progress to playing in a team or a club, often in a league structure. Opportunities also ex- ist to progress to the performance level regionally and nationally, the pinnacle being selection for the England squads. There are four England women’s
squads (U14, U16, U19 and Seniors) that
all play regular competitive fixtures against Wales, Scotland, the Channel Is- lands and the Isle of Man and participate in overseas tours to various places includ- ing Greece and Dubai.
FACILITY STRATEGY Unlike other NGBs, it is not the intention of Rounders England to have purpose- built facilities. Howard explains: “Our grassroots activities encourage an infor- mal style of play. The beauty of rounders is that you can set up a game virtu- ally anywhere there is an open space, be it the park, beach or village green. For more formal play opportunities, we engage with schools, local author- ity pitches, private sports clubs, hockey pitches, rugby pitches – anywhere that is big enough for a pitch. “We also work with Sport England’s
facilities teams to include participation in rounders in any new sports facilities, both indoor and outdoor.”
REACHING NEW AUDIENCES Over the last year, Rounders England has worked with several organisa- tions to gain a significant amount of
We have some very exciting opportunities
ahead of us and I hope we will see more women benefiting from physically active lifestyles
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Most of Rounders England’s grassroots
activities encourage an informal style of play - which suits the nature of the sport
insight in relation to its consumers and the market. It has also analysed inter- nal membership data, surveyed club members, member schools, school stu- dents, coaches, umpires and university students. Through its work with the WSFF, it has developed a strategic plan running from 2013 until 2017 to ignite the passion for rounders by targeting increased and sustained nationwide participation in the sport. The organisation has been success-
ful in securing investment from Sport England for the period 2013-17 to sup- port three key outcomes; increase in once a week participation among the 14-25 and the 26+ age group as well as increase in people with disabilities play- ing rounders. Howard concludes: “We have some
very exciting opportunities ahead of us and I hope by increasing the participa- tion of women in rounders, we will see more women benefiting from physically active lifestyles. We’re working hard to create more opportunities for women to play and I hope that if they try our sport and enjoy it, they will be inspired and confident to try other sports and physical activities.” ●
Issue 1 2013 © cybertrek 2013
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