The Directory - Faculty of Engineering - University of Leeds

26
> EDWArD DAVIES
HIT IT! MULTI-SPORTS
EQUIPMENT
Physical activity and sport are important factors in a
child’s physical, emotional and social development.
However, our primary schools are struggling to
offer children the best possible opportunities as
they have a very small annual budget, often less
than £100, for buying, restoring and replacing
equipment. To add to this financial problem a lot
of time is wasted at the beginning and end of PE
lessons due to setting up the equipment. Teaching
staff need a solution that is easy to transport and set
up to maximize the amount of time that children can
partake in physical activities.
From a child’s perspective, the equipment is often
not designed with their abilities and needs in mind.
They may be using over-sized equipment that could
cause potential injuries in the future. Children need
equipment that is designed for children, not smaller
versions of adult equipment.
“ Teaching staff need a solution
that is easy to transport and
set up to maximize the amount
of time that children can
partake in physical activities.”
> Contact Details
34 Eastgate, Deeping St James
Peterborough, PE6 8HJ
ed.m.davies@hotmail.co.uk
> Career Aims
I am hoping to pursue a further academic
career at the University of Leeds in the field
of affective engineering.
Hit it! Multi-sports equipment offers children and
teaching staff the opportunity to try some nontraditional
primary schools sports. It is simple to
assemble and designed with the children’s abilities
in mind, thus giving the users the best opportunity
to participate in the activity. It can be used on flat
surfaces from a school field to the sports hall due to
having a large flat weighted base.
The product is closely related to current LTA
(Lawn Tennis Association) and ECB (English
Cricket Board) coaching equipment, capitalizing
on their strengths whilst giving schools high quality
multi-sports equipment that they can afford. It
gives pupils the chance to partake in a range of
new sports activities; using equipment that is
appropriate for them and encourages them to get
involved in new sports.