Sport Stars!

Helpston Playhouse are helping to promote a love of movement and activity for early years children.

Every Wednesday Helpston Playhouse welcomes a very popular visitor. Richard from Roar Stars introduces our preschool children to many fun games and activities that all involve getting physical and moving their bodies. The children absolutely love these sessions and here’s Richard to explain why….

What exactly is Roar Stars?

Roar Stars is an early years and primary sports provider. We aim to give children a fun and exciting introduction to the world of sports and physical activity. Our cross curricular style of delivery ensures that we focus on the key areas of child development whilst always engaging the children in an exciting environment.

What skills does it teach and why should children do it?

Our programme aims to give children the best opportunity to develop a love for physical activity through exciting learning opportunities. The children cover a range of activities which support their physical, mental and social development. This is delivered mainly through the medium of football and activities that include throwing and catching, passing, shooting, movement, balance, coordination, and team games, as well as using their imagination to enhance their learning journey!

What age is it suitable for?

We run sessions for children from 18 months up to 11 years in a range of formats and settings. Our programme is also widely delivered in local SEND settings. We also deliver a very popular Holiday Sports Camp for a couple of days each half term suitable for primary school aged children. Can you give an example of an activity that parents could try with their toddler or preschooler at home?

At Roar Stars, we love nothing more than basing our sessions on one of our favourite stories. One of the best has to be We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Using this story, we go on an adventure. Try a bear hunt of your own by laying tea towels on the grass to be your squelchy puddles, or how about creating some long, swishy grass using anything you have to run in and out of? Get creative and have fun!

What feedback do you get from the children who take part?

Children have been loving coming to our sessions over the past nine years and we can confidently say Roar Stars has sparked their love of sport and physical activity for years to come! Our programme does not aim to create only footballers, but simply harness that love for being active.

Have you seen a rise in young girls wanting to play football?

The success of the Lionesses is definitely having its ripple effect and we love to see girls coming to take part in our programme. Locally, we’ve seen more girls’ teams starting and we are proud that Roar Stars can be the beginning of their sporting journey.

For information about Roar Stars visit www.roarstars.co.uk

For more information about Helpston Playhouse contact us: 01733 253 243 | www.helpstonplayhouse.org.uk

Being out in Kenya again in February was wonderful. Seeing all the pupils and staff at Miche Bora school looking so happy reminds me why Mustard Seed Project is so important. The economy in Kenya is suffering badly and government increases in income tax, health and pension payments, has swallowed up much of our teachers’ recent pay rise.