Rounders England launches National Primary Schools event

Rounders England has today launched a national Rounders competition for primary schools, which is aimed at broadening social circles and creating a fun way to keep active.

The event – Primary Ready Rounders – forms part of Rounders England’s Competition Strategy, which promotes the social and fun aspects of rounders on a national scale to both broaden its appeal to players and encourage more rounders to be played within the Rounders community.

The announcement follows a period of detailed research, which explored the motivations and goals of the rounders community. It found an increased focus on fun and social activity and increased competition were key to support the continued growth within the sport.

Rounders England has put together a programme of events and competitions, which is made up of open contests for primary, secondary and independent schools and a special ‘Rounders Tour’ for universities.

Community teams and leagues are also being encouraged to get involved by taking part in Roundersfest, a series of standalone open competitions for local teams that play in local leagues or for new teams formed by groups of friends. There’s also Champion of Champions too, where the winners of leagues from across the country (both ladies and mixed) have the chance to battle it out for the prestigious Champion of Champions title.

All of the activities are designed to both broaden social circles and create a fun way to keep active, while fostering team spirit and creating a sense of competition amongst teams.

Dan Newton at Rounders England, said: “The programme that we have developed is one which has two strands around team spirit and winning and the social and fun aspects of Rounders to complement the cross-generational, cross-gender game that embraces all abilities. You don’t have to be the fittest, the youngest or the most athletic. You just have to go out and play.”

“The social aspect of Rounders is a key ingredient in its success. Rounders provides opportunities for people to meet others, have fun, make friends, play in a friendly environment and be part of a team.”

“Our competitions are aimed at children of all abilities and motivations who play our sport. Not only will children come away from the day having had fun while keeping active, they’ll have developed their social and team-building skills and sharpened their rounders play. We’re hoping as many primary schools as possible will rise to the challenge and take part in one, or more, of our competitions this year. They are so many benefits to rounders and we want to make sure they’re being shared far and wide.”

Schools can register their interest in taking part by visiting www.roundersengland.co.uk/play/competition-and-events/ – where they’ll find details of the competitions taking place in their area.