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Why do They Call These Lessons “Games”?

Posted Friday, 18 December 2015

Most schools fill one or more boxes on their timetable with a commodity called “Games”. It is a universal nomenclature, and omnipresent. Widely loved, and rarely challenged. Most schools have an anti-games lobby on their staff; few of these are sufficiently radical to be abolitionists. Acceptance of value is widespread...

The RFU's "Don't be a Headcase" Course

Posted Friday, 11 December 2015

As part of its ongoing commitment to player welfare, the RFU strongly recommends that teachers involved with coaching sport at any level should complete the RFU& #39 ;s "Don& #39 ;t be a Headcase" online concussion course This should then be repeated at regular intervals to ensure up to date...

The Importance of Competitiveness

Posted Monday, 7 December 2015

Too much winning, or losing, is not good for children. In more rational moments, most teachers and coaches agree with this. The theory is sometimes better than the practice, however, when good sense is suspended in moments of high emotion on the touchline. Perhaps more significant then, is competitiveness. A...

John O'Sullivan - Changing The Game Project

Posted Thursday, 3 December 2015

“How many of you played sports as a child?” I begin many of my talks. Every hand in the room goes up. “How is sport today different for your kids?” Then the answers start flowing: “Early specialization. Expensive. No more seasons. Pressure. Massive commitments. They start younger.” And the list...

The Six Outcome PE and Games Programme

Posted Thursday, 3 December 2015

Lots of educational planning focuses on “outcomes”. Desirable changes that result from programmes of planned experiences. Given the time and effort that goes into such planning, from the National Curriculum to individual school syllabuses, it is perhaps disappointing that the range of aspiration is so limited. Typically, the dominant ambition...

I’m curious about… why fish don’t know they are in water

Posted Friday, 6 November 2015

The first part of this statement reminds me of Nigel Redman. If Nigel asked me a question starting with “I’m curious/interested/wondering…” I was fairly confident I was that fish in water. This second is a quote I used when convincing British Rowing that I could influence their coaches (the fish)...