Everyone can enjoy sportFollowing a conversation with Somerset cricketer Max Waller, it made me think and reflect about my own experiences of sport.Thinking back, despite playing to an ok level, being a semi-professional footballer, the most fun I ever had was playing football and for that matter, any sport after school and in the holidays with my friends. No care in the world, just out having FUN.Isn't this what sport and physical activity should be about at a young age?I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Max didn't just play cricket growing up, in fact, he didn't start bowling leg-spin until he was 12. I could clearly see the passion he has for cricket, but he simply loves sport, he still plays tennis, golf amongst other things, and playing lots of sport was a big part of his childhood. He said that it is important children play and experience all matter of sport and physical activity. Team, individual, or just anything outdoors, building dens, exploring, this is what childhood should be about, and I can't think of a more fun time in my life.If I think of my sport, football, it is a dangerous obsession for some children, there are other sports out there!! 97% of children that are part of a football academy, don't become a professional, and by 21 they stop playing altogether. It is a flawed system, no doubt, but my point is around playing lots of sports. Some children only want to play football, but there is so much to gain from playing and taking in lots of different sports and activities. Meeting new people, gaining new skills that are transferrable, and not putting all of your eggs in one basket as it were.I know that not all children will have the same opportunities at home, but they can at school... During this time when children are at their least active, when they all return we need to provide as many opportunities as we can for them to be active and have fun.
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