Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Sports for children in Plymouth
Updated 1/9/2015
Sports Science research has highlighted that children need to develop the physical attributes of hand to eye coordination, agility, speed and balance, before they reach their teens, in order for them to reach their full physical potential as an adult. Most sports strongly combine these skills and actions, teaching children valuable life skills such as showing respect to an opponent, self-discipline and being a positive role in a team.
Here’s a brief overview of how children can get involved with sports …
Golf
Golf is a sport that helps create good attributes in young children, such as perseverance, honesty, concentration and respect. It is also a game where a child can easily find his or her competitive level.
The Junior Golf Passport run by The Golf Foundation is a scheme that places its importance on learning in a fun way using a variety of games and activities delivered by a qualified PGA Coach. It provides a child with a permanent visual record of their development helping them to fine tune their game for future years. Find out more: To find your nearest Golf Roots Centre simply go to www.golf-foundation.org
Rugby
Ok, so rugby isn’t a summer sport but it’s certainly worth a mention here due to the impending Rugby World Cup which will start in England in September.
Primary School aged children can take part in Tag Rugby, which is the RFU's official introduction to the game. It involves use of either a tag belt or tag shorts to replicate a tackle that is clearly seen when an effective tag has been made. Teams are made up of seven players with a gender mix of boys and girls. The game has been created for players to naturally progress to play the traditional 15-a-side game. Find out more: Rugby Football Union - www.rfu.com
Climbing...
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Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities that are physically and mentally demanding as well as incredibly fulfilling. Those keen to learn often acquire a host of new life skills and quickly develop a sense of personal responsibility that can stand them in good stead throughout their lives. Many centres with climbing walls offer introductory and progressive classes for
children aged 8+ at the weekend and on weekday evenings with qualified instructors. Similarly, outdoor centres offer grounding courses and taster sessions in many types of outdoor pursuits that could give the under 18's the skills to enable them to climb independently.
Find out more: The British Mountaineering Council website - www.thebmc.co.uk
Cricket
Cricket is introduced to children in a variety of ways. Firstly, Kwik Cricket is a simple game for boys 
and girls aged from 5 years and up. Played in many primary schools it is designed to introduce children to the sport and forms an integral part of the Cricket Board’s strategic goal of increasing interest levels.
The England and Wales Cricket Board also promotes the sport with an ECB Cricket Factory Tour that gives young people aged 4-18 years old the opportunity to experience the game at the right level for their particular level of skill. This touring facility provides activity stations that test batting, catching, fielding and bowling. Find out more: England Cricket Board -www.ecb.co.uk
Swimming...
Swimming is a fantastic way for people of all ages to stay healthy, keep fit and have fun at the same time. It exercises each part of the whole body, improves psychological well-being, releases stress and is a social sport, allowing children the chance to meet new people. Not only is it an essential life skill that everyone should learn, but it is a sport that can save a life. As well as school swimming, there are structured swimming lessons available at local swimming pools, private swimming schools and local clubs. Find out more: www.swimming.org
Tennis
Tennis is regarded as one of the healthiest and least injurious sports with a strong social, yet competitive affiliation to it. The Lawn Tennis Association runs a junior tennis scheme, using a rainbow coloured format that allows a child to progressively move from one stage to the next. The tennis balls are coloured to highlight each stage, namely from red to orange to green.
Starting with Red Ball Mini Tennis, this is for players aged 8 and under, and is played on small courts with short racquets and soft ball; next is Orange Ball Mini Tennis for players aged 8 and 9 who have already reached Red level 1. Green Ball Mini Tennis follows and is for players aged 10. This is played on a full tennis court, with bigger racquets and slightly harder balls. This progressive structure gently eases children to the dynamics of the game. Find out more: The Lawn Tennis Association - www.lta.org.uk.
May Half Term at Plymouth Argyle’s Community Trust
Throughout May Half Term children will be able to attend one of the fun, themed sessions with Plymouth Argyle’s Community Trust’s highly qualified coaches. In addition, soccer roadshows will take place where children can enjoy a day full of fun challenging tasks and where the coaches can look for potential players to join their development centres.
Furthermore, there will be multi-sport days where children can experience different activities, taught by highly qualified coaches, in football, athletics, handball, dodgeball, basketball, tag rugby and golf. For more information call 01752 562561 ext. 4 or email commmunity@pafc.co.uk or visit www.argylecommunitytrust.co.uk
Get paddling: The Devon Windsurf and Canoe Centre re-opens this May
The Devon Windsurf and Canoe Centre at Decoy Lake in Newton Abbot will re-open this May - ready for another summer of fun. This excellent facility runs from the beautiful Decoy Country Park in Newton Abbot and offers a wide range of activities for all ages such as water sports birthday parties, canoe hire, stand up paddle board tuition and hire, windsurf tuition and hire, school and group bookings, and two junior water sports clubs that run throughout the summer right up until the end of September. Established for 18 years, The Devon Windsurf and Canoe Centre uses qualified, experienced, friendly and professional staff. For more information check out their website www.devonwindsurf.co.uk or call Simon on 07971 051509.
Summer with a splash!
The summer is almost here and Splashdown Quaywest’s waterpark in Torquay will be running over with thrills and spills. Check out its twisting tyre rides, the near vertical Devils’ Drop and take a slide on the wild side with the Wild Kamikaze. It’s the perfect place to spend a day with the family for the holiday or just kick back at the weekend. If you want to make a real day of it then get a ‘flume and go’ ticket, have a flume, spend time on the beach, or go into town, then pop on back for a bit more fluming fun. Keep up with the latest information at www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk