Play the sport memory game
Name sports
- Everyone should sit in a circle.
- The first person should say the name of a sport. If anyone’s struggling, it might help to chat about what a sport is. A sport is a game, competition, or activity that needs physical activity and skill and that’s played or done according to rules. Sports can be done for enjoyment and/or as a job.
- The next person should repeat the sport the first person said, then name their own.
- Each person should take it in turns to name all of the sports the people before them have said (in the right order) and name their own sport to add to the list.
- If anyone struggles to remember a sport in the list (or to think of another one to add), people could mime the sport to help them think.
Talk about sports
- Once everyone has had a turn, the group will have a long list of different sports.
- Everyone should talk about the sports in small groups. Are there any they think are interesting? Which were the most unusual sports? Where there any they hadn’t heard of before?
- Explain that you can be a sports enthusiast, without playing or taking part in the sport. Tell everyone that being an enthusiast about a sport usually means knowing about it (for example, knowing the rules, some of the big teams or personalities, the equipment players need, and some major events), and following it for a period of time.
Reflection
This activity helped you think about trying new things. Do you follow any sports as an enthusiast? Why might people choose to follow sports as well as (or instead of) taking part themselves (for example, it might not be possible to do some sports because they’re too expensive or need specific weather conditions)? Did you talk about any sports you hadn't heard of before? Do you follow any sports already? Would you like to follow a new sport?
This activity also helped you think about being courageous. Did some people need to be brave to talk in front of everyone? Do the people who do the sports you named need to be courageous? Do you have any worries or fears about being a sports enthusiast? What are they? How could you overcome them?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
You could make a list of examples for people to use if they get stuck. People can help each other with hints if anyone’s struggling to remember or think of a new sport.
No one has to talk in front of everyone if they don’t want to. People could play in pairs, and work together to remember the list and think of an example to add – the more confident person could then talk to the group, and the other person can help if they want to.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
