Get in the Game Sports are good for fun fitness and friends Taking part in sports improves physical and mental strength and resilience Some people play team sports to win But more often than not taking part is what counts Sports present individual challenges whether it is working as a team or pushing your body to new limits The MAkeR mOVemENt The maker movement is all about trying new things and creating new possibilities Use your imagination practical skills and sense of adventure to apply your maker spirit to your favorite sports Collaborate with your friends and visit a local makerspace to come up with and share new ideas and approaches to sports Play it and own it Join in any sport to stretch your body and to challenge the limits of what you believe you can do 4
BeInG a MAkeR Makers are willing to take risks and understand that failure is an important part of the process Makers are persistent and do not give up easily Makers are resourceful They look for materials and inspiration in unlikely places Makers take on responsibility They enjoy working on projects that can help others Makers support each other and feel positive They believe that small things can make an important difference in the world All of these qualities are important to remember while participating in any sport When you take up a sport it can take time to master new techniques Learning new skills with friends is a great way to get started SafETy FirSt Sports involve physical activity that is good for your health It is a good idea to get a health check from your doctor before starting a sport especially if you have any injuries or medical concerns Some sports require specific skills before you can start such as learning how to swim before hitting the pool on your own If you are adapting a sport ask a responsible adult to make sure it is safe Be a Maker You do not even need equipment other than your body and enthusiasm for sports Run jog twist shuffle jump or turn how many ways can you use your body for sports 5
History of Sports Wrestling boxing hunting archery and running are some of the earliest recorded sports Many of these sports were linked to survival skills humans tracked and hunted animals to provide food for their families In ancient Greece men and boys trained in gymnasiums for military duty A FunNy KinD Of BalL Soccer one of today’s most popular sports had its beginnings in China during the second century B C E According to records men training for the army played a game in which a ball was kicked around with the aim of getting it into a goal In those days the ball was made from an inflated pig bladder During the 1300s in England soccer became such a popular street game that the king banned it He thought people were spending too much time playing soccer and not enough on practicing archery a skill that was more useful for winning wars Bicycle races have been popular for hundreds of years In this picture from the 1800s riders race on towering bikes with large front wheels This type of bicycle was called a penny farthing 6
An aNcIeNt HisTOrY Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport Players use long sticks with mesh pockets to catch carry and throw a ball Hundreds of years ago in North America the Iroquois began playing the game as a way to physically prepare men and boys for war Sometimes more than 1,000 people took part in games that lasted for days and spread out over many miles Local settlers began to play the game too and it soon became popular across Canada and the United States Lacrosse players run and sprint throw and catch It is a great team sport that keeps players fit and focused InForMAl oR OrGanIZed Sports can be played recreationally competitively informally or formally in organized leagues or groups Some athletes are paid to train and take part in their chosen sport They are known as professionals Recreational athletes play for fun As a sport develops and becomes more popular participants often set up organizing bodies that set out the rules and regulations for the sport These organizations also set standards for training and competition Be a Maker Many early sports made use of everyday materials that were readily available Take a look around your house or school for items that could inspire a new game What kind of sport could you play with a broom or a pair of rolled-up socks Ask an adult for permission before you try out any new sports equipment 7
