New free app will keep kids in Chesterfield more active during the lockdown

Parents are being urged to sign up to the Playwaze app, which sets fun physical challenges aimed at all children aged five to 16 who go to school in Chesterfield and north east Derbyshire.

The app has been set up by local organisation SHAPE Learning Partnership as statistics show that the majority of young people failed to meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise in the 2019/20 academic year.

Almost a third of children across the country were classed as 'inactive' as a result of lockdown restrictions, not even doing 30 minutes per day.

Competitive sport has also been seriously affected, with all local grassroots community clubs forced to close their doors to thousands of children who attend weekly training sessions and activities.

SHAPE manager Paul Ryan said: “We understand how difficult it has been for children to be physically active whilst not in school and we know how much they have missed their clubs and activities.

"The forced closure of our local sports teams, dance classes, karate studios and sports centres will have lasting damage on children’s health and participation rates if we do not address it now.”

The new online platform gives parents and children free access to a wide variety of virtual challenges and competitions, which can all be completed at home with little or no equipment.

Teacher Emily McKinnon, from Hasland Junior School, said: “The app is a fantastic opportunity for young people to engage in physical activity, improve their skills, and compete against other children.

"The virtual platform is easy to navigate and is a way of ensuring our young people keep both their body and mind healthy through participating in sport and physical activity.”

To download the app, visit your mobile device’s app store and search for Playwaze. Once downloaded, follow the instructions to register and search to join ‘SHAPE Learning Partnership’ and the ‘School Games Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire’ communities.