Judy Murray leads Britain into sport

How important is sport in your family? Judy Murray is the driving force behind Set4Sport a scheme aimed at getting Britain’s kids moving and Alice Langley went along to find out more about it

I come for a sporty family. I come from a competitive family. My father has worked in professional football for all of my life and my mother has never let me win at any game since the day I was born. In fact, I think the only reason she is putting off a family ski trip with my girls and me is that it is the only physical activity I have ever surpassed her in.

For me having active children, ones with a love for sport and knowledge of the benefits that a healthy lifestyle brings, was always going to happen. Yet for other families this is not always the case.

Childhood obesity is on the rise, the amount of duration children spend in front of the TV or games console has sharply increased and the lesson time and facilities allocated to PE in schools in decreasing to an all time low.

I don’t believe every child should be out training fives nights a week, trying become elite in their sport, that isn’t what my concern is about. It’s the general everyday lack of sport; physical activity and open air play that is my big concern.

Our coordination, as with all components of physical skill, needs to be nurtured. Yes nature may play some part in the level of excellence we may attain, but its the everyday use and practice that will help each area to develop.

Some parents find barriers as to why they can’t get involved in physical activity with their children. Finance, time, space and their own skill level are high up there on the list. These can all be overcome. You don’t have to be Ussain Bolt to have a race with your child while you balance soft toys on your heads and you don’t need to be Andy Murray to play tennis using balloons, it’s all about imagination and creativity.

If that is a barrier in itself then Set4Sport, created by Judy Murray and sponsored by RBS, is a step in the right direction.

This free resource, born in home of the Murray’s when the two boys were growing up, gives parents guidance on games and activities they can enjoy with their children, that will help them to evolve their balance, coordination and agility, without them even knowing they are learning.

Judy says of the scheme ”Set4Sport is all about playing games and having fun indoors or out, using everyday household objects as your equipment. These are some of the games I played with Jamie and Andy when they were small which I hope you enjoy with your children.”

The website www.set4sport.com has a wealth of games and knowledge that are free to access, and the free app that accompanies that programme not only has the games for you to play but a handy score card to keep track of the winners and great sound affects to really set the mood.

We were lucky enough at An Essex Wife to attend an event hosted by Set4Sort this week.  It was clear for all to see the Judy Murray is the driving force behind the scheme. Her love of sport, and motivation to succeed, has rubbed off onto her sons and produced two Wimbledon champions.  If even 1% of that enthusiasm can transfer to the parents Set4Sport are trying to reach, then I think it will be a job well done.

Alice Langley is a Mum, a Wife and An Essex Girl. She blogs at anessexwife.com and can often be found procrastinating like a pro over on Twitter as @anessexwife.  Alice started blogging as a hobby to keep her brain working and her creative side alive while adjusting to her new life as a SAHM, but quickly found a passion and talent for writing long buried since school.  She is now embarking on a new journey, as she becomes a mature student studying for a degree in Journalism at South Essex University.