The beginning of February saw the chairman of the Youth Sport Trust, Baroness Campbell, speak out about a “crisis of inactivity” amongst children.

Lady Campbell, also former head of UK sport, said that schools must play a bigger part in addressing this problem. At Synthetic Turf Management we work hand in hand with schools to counteract the kind of issues Lady Campbell highlights.

Playground transformation: synthetic turf solutions

The Government has shown concern for obesity rates amongst children, which have been rising over the past decade. An investment of £150 million will be made in both 2013/14 and 2014/15 with the aim of improving the standards of physical education in schools. Here at Synthetic Turf Management, we think it’s fantastic that an initiative is underway to help make sports and physical activity a priority for children. We have been working hard to get on board with this line of thinking, developing our own educative sports scheme: STM EPIC (Education and Play in Colour).

Earlier this month the Telegraph reported that Baroness Sue Campbell claimed ‘“sedentary lifestyles” and pressures on time had led to a marked dip on the amount of exercise taken by pupils.’ It’s a real shame that this is the case; in the right environment children can excel in and, what’s more, enjoy exercise and physical learning.

The money currently being invested by the Government is to be spent on specialist games teachers, sport competitions and the improvement of facilities. We’ve seen some fantastic transformations of playground surfaces take place and are thrilled to be able to offer the kind of solution that many schools require. Old concrete playground surfaces and muddy, worn out fields can make exercise a chore for pupils and teachers alike. We’re pleased to see the Government acknowledging this, and investing in the future of Britain’s schools and children.

STM EPIC

Lady Campbell was keen to draw attention to the fact that it is not just the physical health of children that is affected by inactivity. In her speech on the subject she claimed that it can also adversely affect “their mental and emotional wellbeing, and limit their ability to achieve in all areas of school life.” It seems clear, then, that there couldn’t be a better time for Synthetic Turf Management’s scheme, EPIC, which aims to make outdoor learning a stimulating and productive activity for children.

Our EPIC systems are made from a range of coloured artificial turfs, which incorporate educative markings to make exercise a fun experience for children. Whether it be numbers, letters, hop scotches or running tracks, STM can tailor artificial grass technology to suit each individual school’s needs.

Artificial Turf Sports Pitches

This new investment from the Government highlights the fact that schools are working with limited space and limited budgets. That’s why we’re pleased to be able to help with our MUGAs (Multi Use Games Areas). A MUGA incorporates several different sports requirements into one artificial turf surface. What’s more, they are usable year-round and in almost all weather conditions, and can be laid over an existing field.

Artificial grass technology has opened up a vast world of options when it comes to getting kids active. We’re proud to have worked with schools across the UK in making this happen, and look forward to all of our upcoming projects.