Co-curricular - Junior Sport Stage 3

Junior Sport Update 

As we continue to march into winter, we fast approach the halfway point of the season. At the conclusion of this weekend’s fixtures, boys will start to eye off the end of the season, having completed five out of ten rounds. Hard to believe, I know. So far, the Junior School (Stage 3) has enjoyed much success, rolling along at an 84%-win rate across all the Winter sports. The teams have displayed a great attitude at training, being focused and attentive and have rallied around teammates at every opportunity; only some of the reasons why we are experiencing such a strong season. Keep up the good work boys!

There will be two major events held at the commencement of Week 6 (Monday 3 June to Friday 7 June). The First is our Founder’s Day celebrations on Friday 7 June and then the King’s Birthday long weekend. There will be no fixtures played over this weekend and teams in the Junior School (Stage 3) will complete their long training session only in Week 6. All teams will train just once in that week. The normal schedule will resume upon our return in Week 7, Tuesday 11 June, as per the schedule.

Improving Movement Function

Over the beginning of this term, I have noticed at training and during PE lessons, that the boys are not moving themselves as efficiently as they might be able to. There are many contributing factors to this:

1. A more sedentary basis to our existence. We are now in a period where for the first time, we must choose to move. 
    
2. Boys are specialising in particular sports much earlier, leading to imbalances in physique at a much earlier age.
    
3. Our ideas around play have changed and we are more aware of risks and hazards. This leads to a reduction in play and limits in some ways, the exploration of movements.
    
4. Our litigious society. It seems we are always looking for someone to blame and looking for compensation. This leads to rules, restrictions and closure of facilities making it more of a challenge to find ways to move.

The issue that arises when we look at a reduction in movement function, is injury. When the boys are not moving at their peak, we are open to the risk of injury at a much faster rate. Imbalances in muscle strength, bone density and joint range of motion are all contributing factors that arise from a lack of movement efficiency. 

There is a simple solution to this issue. Move often and move differently. Boys should be moving every day in ways that encourage the whole body to be involved. Weight should be taken through various long bones of the body and jumping and landing properly are important. Boys should move in ways that cause the body to stretch and work the muscles hard. Challenging the body to adapt and evolve with the movements. 

Getting involved in moving doesn’t have to be structured. In fact, sometimes the best way of moving is completely unstructured, just moving about in our environment, exploring what is possible. From jumping over the cracks in the footpath, to swinging off a low branch (make sure it is thick and in good health first!), movement opportunities are all around us. We just have to choose to take them.

John Locke

Head of Co-Curricular Stage 3