WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY....
CONSISTENCY IS KEY TO LONG- TERM TAKE-UP AND ENJOYMENT OF SCHOOL SPORTS
Comment by BEN STEPHENSON, Managing Director at Covair Structures
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utumn has started to make its presence felt across the UK, and as we head towards the end of the year, the weather is only going to get colder and more unpredictable. This makes it challenging for many schools to provide a PE experience that’s fun and engaging – one that encourages pupils to find a favourite sport, progress to their full potential, and, hopefully, develop a lifelong enjoyment of exercise. In many instances, our much- talked-about British weather also makes it much harder to deliver the minimum of two hours per week of high-quality PE, as recommended by the DfE. It got me thinking: Youth Sport Trust data reveals that one in five students had their PE lessons cancelled in the last academic year. Could that be partly due to our unpredictable climate? I’d say it was a distinct possibility. And that’s a real shame. Kids need those PE lessons. They help so many children discover a sport they love, perhaps even uncovering
a hidden talent that blossoms at an after-school or out-of-school club. Yet, figures from Sport England suggest that nearly 30% of UK children (2.2 million) participate in less than 30 minutes of sport or physical activity each day. Even so, getting children and young people to start playing sports is only half the battle. The big challenge is providing environments that encourage them to persevere. To help them play more sports – whether that’s football, rugby, tennis, badminton, netball, or basketball – more often.
Regular sports and exercise build bonds, resilience and community
There are obvious health and wellness benefits for children who take part in regular sport or exercise. Yet Sport England data also show that active children are happier, more confident, resilient, and feel part of a community. In addition, research published in The Lancet suggests that children who are more physically active have higher self-esteem and form stronger friendships.
Youth Sport Trust’s latest PE and School Report found that 96% of teachers believe sport and play have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. But, with more pressure than ever on education budgets, traditional indoor sports facilities are not always the most practical or affordable option. As a result, a growing number of schools and local authorities are turning to seasonal or permanent air domes – or framed fabric structures – as an alternative means of delivering consistent and predictable year-round sports and exercise.
Some schools offset the costs of these projects by renting out their October 2025
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new facilities to sports and community groups in the evenings, at weekends, or during school holidays. There’s definitely demand out there. A study by Sported found evidence that securing stable, long- term, and affordable access to facilities is a growing challenge for youth and community groups. This suggests that the benefits of new indoor sports facilities could extend beyond pupils to the wider community – and encourage broader take-up of sports and exercise amongst young people. Schools, in short, could become activity, wellness and social hubs – and generate much-needed revenue in the process. It’s also worth noting that it’s generally easier to obtain planning permission for air domes and fabric structures – particularly seasonal ones – than for traditional permanent indoor sports facilities. Plus, installation is much faster and, therefore, far less disruptive. Indeed, one of our most recent school installations was undertaken during the summer holidays and opened in time for the new academic year.
Becoming a centre for sporting excellence
Schools with indoor facilities are more likely to offer sports clubs and compete in local competitions – both of which have enormous benefits for pupils in terms of boosting a sense of belonging and encouraging camaraderie. And once a school is involved in competitions, indoor facilities allow for consistent, year-round off-season training to support team growth and increase the chances of more wins. That, in turn – and over time – can have a significant impact on a school’s reputation, helping it stand out in the local area and gain a reputation for sports excellence.
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