Sports organisations need to be “brave and unconventional” if they are to reach young people who don’t take part in traditional physical education at school.
The claim was made by Badminton England, the sport’s national governing body, after its own initiative to attract inactive teens succeeded in getting tens of thousands of young people playing the sport.
The organisation’s Smash Up! initiative has been aimed at those 13-16-year-olds who wouldn’t normally take part in sport. The branded sessions include music and playlists, no dress codes and no formal coaching.
Julia Strong, head of community programmes from Badminton England, said: “There’s a need to think and do things differently if we’re to help more teenagers to be active.
“Sports and games should be great fun but by age 12 or 13 many have been put off formal sport. We need to listen to them.
“We designed Smash Up! together with young people and that made a difference. We are nominated for a national award which we would love to win on behalf of the thousands of young people involved – to celebrate them for getting active and enjoying it.”
The trained ‘activators’ who deliver the Smash Up! sessions are not PE teachers, and the sessions are not delivered as lessons. In six months, the scheme has reached 800 schools and has been nominated for a National Lottery Award.
To find out more about the Smash Up! initiative,
click here.
