After school

Innovative & intensive MultiSport course for children, in a school, during the afternoon… like the afternoon and evening “sport” activities (e.g. football, basketball etc.)

Success or innovation factors

The success factor of this kind of activities is that the same trainers will deliver the activity in the sport facilities, so that children can recognise the staff and feel more familiar with the place and the trainers.
The activity will be carried out immediately after school lessons so that children can stay there after school. In this way parents will be facilitated as they will not have to organize themselves for an after-school activity and it will also be very helpful for parents who work.
Furthermore, it is also possible to keep a closer relation with parents, to talk with them, explain them what we are doing and which are our objectives and also to receive any suggestions and feedback from them and their children.

Methodological approach

The methodology of these activities implies the development of the fundamental movement skills, since they are the basic building block for the overall development of physical literacy. Previous research has shown that without the development of these fundamental skills, many children and young people choose to quit sports and turn to more inactive and/or unhealthy choices during their leisure time (e.g. Burton & Martens, 1986; Skard & Vaglum, 1989). The combination of the fundamental elements of Motivation and Confidence (Affective), Physical Competence (Physical) Knowledge and Understanding (Cognitive) and Engagement in Physical Activities for Life (Behavioural) in the sports education ensures the complex education of the educators in all relevant fields of these elements.

Potential risks

It is necessary to adapt the proposal to the spaces and structures that exist in the school.

Replicability / Opportunity for future use

Multisport activity is an excellent opportunity for schools to expand the offer to their users. This opportunity addresses every child who does not like competitive activity as it is an opportunity to have fun and approach life in a healthier way.
It can be replicated in every school!

Activities

The program foresees the dedication of the first semester to individual activities (e.g.: individual motor courses) and unconventional group games (e.g.: multi-goal soccer, dodgeball, castellone, guard and thieves, king and queen, etc.). The objective is to promote movement as a form of play by giving children the opportunity to experiment with the development of general and specific coordination skills. The use of small tools will be preferred, such as balls of different types, circles, cones, mats, ropes.
The second part of the year will instead be dedicated to the experimentation of 4 sports: two team sports and 2 individual sports to be decided based on the facilities available in the school.

Human resources (qualification/skills)

This multisport model can be conducted by teachers with a degree (or undergraduate) in motor science. The skills required are:

  • knowledge related to motor development in children,
  • ability to adapt work to the target group,
  • creativity and
  • predisposition to the continuous search for game variants.

Logistic

Schools

Materials and equipment

Sport equipment for the activities: different balls, cones, ropes, balloons, sticks, circles, bandages.
Materials: T-shirts for Sport Instructors and for the participants.

Recruiting of participants

Participants can be recruited through collaboration with the school and the school parents’ associations.

Administrative / Bureaucracy

The data of the participants can be collected through an online form created by the sports association that takes the initiative.

We need to collect:

  • the medical certificates from all the participants;
  • the declarations of the parents due to Covid-emergency (until necessary).

Communication with participants

Communication with the families can be done through different channels:

  • Online: using the school website;
  • In person: organizing specific opening days to try out the activity;
  • By social media: Facebook and Instagram school’s channels;
  • WhatsApp groups of parents.

Communication with stakeholders and media

The stakeholders involved can be:

  • The school hosting the activity:
  • The University of PE;
  • The school family associations.

Evaluation

The evaluation can be conducted in different ways:

  • Daily feedback with children at the end of the activities.
  • Daily (informal) discussion with parents at the end of the day;
  • Satisfaction questionnaire for children at the end of the course;
  • Online questionnaire for parents after the first part of the program and at the end of the course.

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