Education News

Back in the Game

Education News from Alleyn's | www.alleyns.org.uk

Megan Ellery, Head of Alleyn’s Sporting Performance Pathway, tells us how our children, whatever their age or ability, can return to school sport confidently and healthily after their time away.

Maintaining levels of physical activity in children is something PE teachers and parents have wrestled with during the pandemic. As we glimpse light at the end of the tunnel, here are some tips to ensure your child is raring to go when the time comes to return to competitive sport.

Be Cool, Don’t Worry!

Most of the world’s top athletes have had a ‘rocky road’ to success. While having a break from sport might have felt like an unwelcome interruption to their progress, it is likely that it has actually been the kind of challenge that will make them an even better sportsperson in the future.

Do What You Can With What You Have

With great challenge comes great opportunity. You don’t need to have your own astroturf or netball court to make progress. How can you use this time and the space you have productively? There’s a lot of quality content online but think creatively and who knows – your child may return with a few new skills in their locker!

Stay Broad

The best sportspeople come from a foundation of varied training, so mix up your child’s activities and avoid doing the same type of exercise every day.

They could try a range of activities such as running, fartlek training, ball skills, higher intensity training, cycling, strength training, yoga... and walking is also good. It will not only make them physically robust and capable, but it will be more fun too!

Be Patient!

If your older child can’t wait to get back into competitive sport and has kept active during lockdown, they might be disappointed to discover that they are a bit ‘rusty’, because even if they kept up their training, starting matches again can be a shock to the system and ‘game fitness’ is hard to replicate. Remind them that everyone is in the same boat, and it won’t be long before they are back on form. They should be kind to themselves, listen to their body, warm up properly and stretch between sessions. There might be a few new Covidrelated rules for team sports, too and they should help their coach or teacher by sticking to them to make sure that sport can continue safely for us all!

Enjoy Every Moment

Never let your child lose sight of why we play sport – it’s such good fun! Sport is important for our physical, mental and social health, and it’s a great form of expression and escapism. As soon as your child is allowed back to play, rejoice in the fact that they’re allowed to run around with their friends again!