Berkshire-based Sport4Kids have been up and running again for over two months, delivering lessons to thousands of kids and helping to restore their confidence after a period of isolation.
Key to the Sport4Kids strategy has been their S4K Parent View Survey, which took place from 5th to the 12th June and has helped form the template for their subsequent re-opening.
Explaining their thinking, Sport4Kids said:
‘Parents views matter to Sport4Kids and the survey has provided critical input on how we at S4K are able to plan and prepare a return to running classes for the benefit of children, parents and coaches. It will also allow us to present results to Government to provide research on the best practice for a safe return to sport.
‘Parents and their children have borne the brunt of the lockdown and it is time to get our children active and socialising again. The impact on mental health, well-being and development of our children is incalculable at this stage. What we know is children desperately need social interaction.’
The survey revealed that 67% wanted to return to classes in July as long as the right safety, safeguarding and hygiene measures were in place, while 81% said they had recognised the impact of lockdown on their children’s mental well-being.
This survey crystallised for Sport4Kids just how important it was to get the lessons back up and running but it also showed them it would not be possible without the support of parents.
Speaking in a video on the Sport4Kids website, co-founder Dr Mark Gould said, ‘The world has changed and it is important we lead the way in changing with it.’
He went on to promise world class sports lessons that would also keep children safe. This is currently being achieved through the use of a great deal of safety measures, including equipment that is disinfected by a trained hygiene official, staging lessons outside where possible and replacing any classes that cannot take place outside or securely inside with an online Zoom lesson.
Speaking directly to parents, Dr Gould said, ‘We want to keep you involved in your child’s development and love having you involved with our lessons.’
He then asked parents to follow all the safety instructions which are clearly laid out on the Sport4Kids website.
For the parents or children who are still unsure about returning, Dr Gould said that the company’s new S4K TV service will be on hand to provide lessons.
S4K TV, which was launched at the end of March, has helped to keep children physically fit and engaged throughout lockdown.
Writing in The Parliamentary Review, long before Covid-19, co-founder and CEO Steve Jones explained how parents’ concerns have always been at the heart of the Sport4Kids strategy.
‘The lack of quality, affordable options means it is difficult for parents to
prepare their children for a healthy, active and sporty lifestyle. They find it challenging to understand the best development journey for their children and where to find it.
‘Too often, parents encounter ill-trained coaches who focus on training older and “better” children without regard for the overall experience.We focus on meeting the parents’ hopes, needs and desires for transparent, high-quality and reliable experiences for their children.
‘Through our Practice@Home method, we deliver transparent programmes with curricula that educate parents on how best to help them develop their child. This builds a triangle of trust between the child, coach and parent.’
This level of trust has been crucial as Sport4Kids has continued to deliver its world-class service in the new Covid reality.
