PLAY ENGLAND HOPES WORLD CUP FEVER WILL MEAN MORE ‘JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS’ AND LESS ‘NO BALL GAMES’

9 June 2010

The national play charity, Play England has found that informal football games are among children’s favourite play activities and is calling for government and local areas to capitalise on the huge interest in this year’s World Cup by giving as many children as possible the chance to put down their jumpers for goalposts and to kick balls around with their friends.

Results from over 1200 entries to this year’s Playday drawing competition found that being outside is children’s preferred way to play, with kickabout games a big favourite with both boys and girls.

For Playday, the annual celebration of children’s right to play, Play England asked children to draw a picture of how they like to spend time playing. An overwhelming 87% responded by drawing scenes of outdoor activity with 1 in 5 showing a scene of sporty play, and 1 in 4 boys telling us playing football was their favourite. Significantly children tended not to depict playing on computer games as how they like to spend their time, with only 3% of drawings illustrating playing on game consoles.

This year, Playday takes place on Wednesday 4 August 2010, and Play England, part of the national children’s charity NCB, is delighted to announce that the theme for the 2010 campaign is Our place! The campaign aims to tackle restrictions faced by children wanting to play where they live, and asks everyone - young and old - to help create better places for all of us to live and play.

Adrian Voce, director of Play England said: “With participation levels in sport continuing to disappoint, we’re hoping that all the excitement around the World Cup will encourage communities to be more tolerant about kids having a kick around with their mates. The love of all sports begins with children being given the freedom and space to play. We want to see more jumpers for goal posts and less ‘no ball games’ signs to encourage the next generations of Wayne Rooneys and Steven Gerrards, and so that kids can get out and have fun.”

 

Notes to editors:

 

1. For more information about Playday and the Our Place! campaign, visit http://www.playday.org.uk/

2. Playday is coordinated by Play England, part of NCB, working in partnership with PlayBoard Northern Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales. The national campaign involves thousands of children and young people getting out to play at locally organised events. Playday events range from small-scale neighbourhood get-togethers to large-scale public events organised by local authorities and national organisations.

3. Play England is a charity that promotes excellent free play opportunities for all children and young people. Play England provides advice and support to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the importance of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the public. Play England is part of NCB and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund. For further information call 020 7843 6300 or visit www.playengland.org.uk.

4. NCB’s mission is to advance the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. As a membership, development and support charity for the children’s sector in England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and the members of our wide range of partnership bodies which operate under our charitable status and are based in our London headquarters. For further information visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/

5. Findings are from the Playday 2009 drawing consultation. Pictures were submitted June-September 2009, with findings being released for the first time now. The Playday 2010 drawing consultation is now open, with children being encouraged to draw pictures of ‘What’s it like to play where you live’. Findings of the Playday 2010 drawing consultation will be used to map a picture of children’s play in their communities across the UK.

For further information, please contact the NCB Media Office:
Clare Quarrell/Anna Tombs on 0207 843 6044/6045
Media Office Mobile - 07721 097033 or e-mail: media@ncb.org.uk