Early Years and School Services

A wonderfully creative and inclusive sport, dance can be adapted to any space or group of participants. Of the many genres, street dance is particularly popular among young people, and requires energy, balance and flexibility, but not necessarily rhythm!

This team ball sport has become as popular in playgrounds as it has in sports halls. It works on a simple elimination system, and encourages running, ducking and accurate ball throwing techniques, as well as discipline and respect, to avoid over-enthusiastic participation.

Fencing is centuries old but never goes out of fashion. It’s a strategic combat sport that requires special safety equipment and observance of clear rules. The three versions employ a foil, sabre or epée, and points are scored according to set manoeuvres.

The world’s most popular sport is football (soccer in some countries). It can be adapted to various abilities and ages, including differently-abled players, as an outdoor or indoor physical activity between teams of 5, 7 or 11.

Though similar to five-aside football, futsal uses a smaller, harder ball and requires energy and agility to score in a restricted playing space. It has its own competitions and leagues, though it’s also viewed as a starting point to learn football skills.

This sport for players with visual impairments involves teams of three throwing or rolling a ball containing bells to get it into a goal area. Opponents try to block the ball, but this sport does not involve ball kicking or contact between players.

Covering a wide range of balance, flexibility, strength and movement skills, gymnastics has been highly popular for team competitions and individual endeavours for many generations. Equipment of various kinds is used, including mats, beams, vaults and trapezoids.

Handball involves strategy and quick thinking, with two teams of seven players competing to score goals. The ball passes by throwing hand to hand, and there are rules governing how far feet can travel and how long you can hold the ball.

The rules of hockey are similar to football, though the ball travels using a hockey stick, not feet. Suitable for indoor and outdoor pitches, teams are usually 11-aside. Good teamwork and mental agility are as important as physical fitness.

This sport is similar to bowls and also popular with all ages and abilities. It requires no ice, just level ground or sports hall flooring. New age kurling stones and targets, ramps and pushers are used to score points.

There are lacrosse adaptations according to age and playing area, but generally, it’s a strategic, team sport requiring safety equipment and a special stick and ball. Dexterity, good teamwork and energy are needed to catch, carry, throw and defend.

To introduce beginners to a wide range of new sports, multi-skill festivals provide a variety of tester sessions to demonstrate basic skills and playing rules in a fun, interactive way. They can gauge interest in activities, and break down reticence.

This popular school, community and competitive sport involves two teams of seven, each with their own role and movement range. The ball is passed and scored in the net, using good teamwork and anticipation, as well as throwing skills and balance.

A challenging but fun outdoor sport, orienteering requires physical activity, but also good problem-solving skills and teamwork. Participants in small groups are issued with instructions, maps, compasses and a route to follow, to navigate at their own pace.

Played as either singles or doubles, polybat is an excellent sport for players with disabilities. It requires a table tennis table with no net but sides created. The ball is then played at table level, using polybats.

Team sizes vary and there are indoor adaptations, but rounders is generally played outdoors on a square pitch with four bases. It’s been played in schools and communities for hundreds of years and requires hitting, fielding, throwing and running skills.

This is a version of baseball used to introduce young children to the sport, as it uses a larger (softer) ball and a smaller running area than a traditional baseball diamond. Throwing is underarm too. It’s also popular as an indoor sport.

Table tennis is an indoor racket sport that requires little space, just a special netted table, bats and balls. Played as singles or doubles, its popularity is partially due to its reliance on hand-to-eye coordination and strategy, and limited physical movement.

The popular sport of rugby isn’t suitable for all ages or spaces. These two variations still require exercise and teamwork, but limit physical contact. Touch rugby and a variation involving removing tags from an opponent mean no tackling

A fast-paced indoor handball game involving a small trampoline-like frame, tchoukball was developed for minimal contact exercise and challenge. Teams score at either end of the pitch but must bounce on the frame and then onto a set area.

Played as singles or doubles, on grass or specially surfaced tennis courts, this globally popular racket ball sport attracts many participants and large audiences. It uses distinct scoring systems and requires good hand-to-eye coordination, stamina and agility.

Adapting golf to involve young children – and limited playing areas – led to a sport that requires lightweight clubs and a rubber ball. Tri-golf players hit the ball at colourful targets, inside or outdoors, on walls and on the ground.

In volleyball, teams of six players hand-hit a special ball across a high net, requiring jumping, teamwork and strategic placement to outwit opponents. This can be done indoors or outside and can be adapted for disabled players.