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#OutdoorPeople, 10 minute reads, International Women's Day, Outdoor Women - October 11, 2025

Let the girls be... they might just become Lionesses

It's been an epic summer for Women’s Sport in England, with the Lionesses netting the Euros and the Red Roses driving over the line to win the Rugby World Cup. But how do we encourage the next generation of elite athletes? Dialling down competitive sports may be the key to making the nation more successful on the sporting stage...

'School-ready' or not?

The first couple of weeks back at school, and with it, familiar anxieties about whether the latest cohort of Reception-aged children have arrived 'school-ready'. It seems In every school we visit – and we’re working with over 150 – Reception teachers are telling us many children can’t jump with two feet together, walk backwards or stand on one leg. Cath Prisk has a prescription to make sure children are meeting their developmental goals...

The real danger is no danger

How many people complain how young people today are incapable and lack resilience? Taking part in risky play is the way children learn their limits and capabilities, and develop the ability to overcome adversity, that all-important 'grit'.

The adventure of the balance beam...

Standing, sitting upright, holding a pencil: how many hours of work do you have to put in to master these everyday practices? Children need to get outdoors and move if they are to develop physically - it's why we we campaign to get kids outside every day: climbing, running, jumping, looping the loop.

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March 30, 2024

Outdoor play - the evidence

There is an growing body of research to show outdoor play is critical to children’s social, emotional and academic development. Our 2018 literature review brings together the evidence showing how play benefits children and young people.

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