Hi Edward, can you tell us a bit about the SportsKidz Summer School Programme?
We are so excited! It is a seven-week programme, from the 13 July to 4 September, where the kids will be introduced to 14 different sports and daily teambuilding activities. This will help improve skills such as teamwork and communication. The sports, which will rotate every week, include handball, judo, tennis, basketball, football, gymnastics, table tennis, volleyball, badminton, athletics, kwik cricket, netball, tag rugby, and taekwondo.
How will you be taking the health and safety of the kids and coaches into consideration this summer following COVID-19?
The health and safety of our kids is always of utmost importance, pre or post COVD-19! Obviously, we will be taking extra measures this year to ensure that kids and coaches feel as safe as possible.
What is the age range of kids participating in SportsKidz?
SportsKidz is open to all kids ranging from 3 to 16 years old, and they will attend three to four times a week.
What is the main ethos of SportsKidz Summer School?
Our main ethos is fun! We accept everyone and we are non-competitive. We are looking to provide something educational and inclusive. It is a place where our kids can come and have fun while learning certain life skills through sports.
How do sports help and affect children in their development as they grow up?
Skills that are picked up during sports have a big impact on the holistic growth of a child. Children learn about the important values of fair play and respect for each other. Sport also offers them a forum to learn how to cope with competition. The learning aspects bring to the fore the importance of sports and games for the social development of the child.
Can you tell us about the atmosphere at Summer School?
Simple! A friendly, fun, and family atmosphere!
Besides obviously health, what are skills that kids have picked up from practicing sports with you?
Kids are less stressed; it helps get their mind off certain things. It has a great social advantage as they get to make new friends and create friendships and relationships for life. A massive plus is that sports can help kids build self-confidence and self-esteem which I feel are both so important.
Why is practicing multiple sports so good for children?
Kids benefit from participating in as many different sports and physical activities as possible while they are learning movement and sports skills. This helps prevent over-use injuries and reduce the risk of burnout. Also, practice in each sport improves ability in every other activity. Getting experience in many different activities is a good way to develop physical literacy, which provides the foundation for achievements in sport and for success in life. Doing multiple sports requires kids to work different muscles and joints which create better overall conditioning and better strengthening of the core. Participating in different sports also results in the development of multiple sets of athletic skills which may transfer between sports and create better overall athletes. For me, most importantly, variety breaks up the routine of training and keeps children interested, so they are getting healthy and having fun at the same time.
What is the best thing that you have experienced with SportKidz Summer School?
I think the best thing is seeing the kids grow and develop through our programme, not only physically but from a social aspect. I’ve seen kids who were very shy in the beginning, develop their self-esteem and belief in themselves and are now full of confidence and are ready to keep improving.
What are your hopes for the rest of this year?
My hopes are to keep providing the best possible activities and sessions for the kids! I want to make sure that they kids have loads of fun and learn as much as they can from SportsKidz!
If you want your children to have fun, play sports and gain life skills and confidence, sign them up now on www.sportskidz.com.mt
