New initiative aims to make school sport fun again

A wide range of fun sporting activities, including beach volleyball, skateboarding and ultimate frisbee, will be available to thousands of primary and secondary students across southeast public schools.

Aria O'Shea, 11, from Cronulla Public School, playing Ultimate Frisbee, with kids from Brighton Le Sands Public School at Maroubra Beach. Picture: Quentin Jones

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Gone are the days when “school sport” was limited to the age old options of just footy or soccer.

A wide range of fun sporting activities, including beach volleyball, skateboarding and ultimate frisbee, will now be available to thousands of primary and secondary students across Sydney public schools.

Caitlin Wooster, 14, from Jannali High School playing volleyball against South Sydney High School. Picture: Quentin Jones

The “Play for Fun” initiative, launched at Maroubra Beach by Sydney East Schools Sports Association (SESSA), aims to encourage greater participation by young people in physical activity.

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“We are passionate about providing students with an opportunity to ‘play for fun’ and develop an enjoyment of sport and physical activity that they will carry with them throughout their life,” said SESSA sport participation officer Andrew Marshall.

A 2017 report conducted by the Australian Sports Commission found that of 6600 secondary students surveyed, 40 per cent had not participated in organised sport in the last year.

Students from Sydney public schools playing ball games at the Play for Fun launch at Maroubra Beach. Picture: Quentin Jones

By offering a diverse range of activities to students, that will also include orienteering and a range of indigenous sporting games, Mr Marshall hopes to increase sports participation in the southeast.

“We believe participation is winning,” Mr Marshall said.

Aria O'Shea, 11, from Cronulla Public School playing Ultimate Frisbee with classmates and pupilss from Brighton Le Sands Public School at Maroubra Beach. Picture: Quentin Jones

Sydney East PSSA president Peter Banks said by focusing on “non-traditional” sport, there will be more fun rather than competition.

“We hope to engage students in a range of sports … with the emphasis on fun and participation in a space where they have not been before,” Mr Banks said.

SESSA’s catchment area covers the whole of the southeast, and “Play for Fun” will be rolled out in both primary and secondary public schools.