At our school, the sports equipment we use during lunch is in bad shape. The balls, nets, and other gear are old, broken, and not very fun to use. This makes it hard for students to enjoy sports during lunch, and it’s definitely something that needs to be fixed.
The biggest problem is the balls. Most of the soccer balls, basketballs, and footballs are either flat or have big holes in them. It’s really frustrating when you try to play and the ball doesn’t bounce or roll the way it’s supposed to. Sometimes, the ball deflates during the game, and we have to stop playing or find another ball that’s just as bad. As Mrs. Pallas, one of our yard duties, said, “The only way to replace the worn-down equipment is to replace them.” This shows that trying to keep the old equipment in rotation just isn’t working anymore.
The nets for basketball and soccer are also falling apart. The basketball hoops are rusty and broken, so it’s hard to play a good game of basketball. The soccer nets have holes, making it difficult to keep score or even play a proper game. Without proper equipment, it’s hard to have fun or play the games we enjoy. “We try to use what we have until it can’t be used any longer,” but the reality is, it’s just not enough to keep up with the amount of use it gets from all the grades.
There’s also a lack of different types of equipment. While some students love playing basketball or soccer, others might want to try a game like volleyball or kickball. But there isn’t enough equipment for everyone to play different sports. This means that some kids end up sitting out or not being able to do what they want during lunch. “Something to consider is that the equipment is used by all grades during their lunchtime.” With everyone relying on the same few items, it’s hard to have a fair or fun experience for all students.
Having better sports equipment would make lunch and recess a lot more fun. It would also encourage everyone to be more active, work together, and enjoy playing outside. As Mrs. Pallas mentioned, “Students often forget how to use the equipment correctly. Often kicking it off from the people that are using it correctly.” This not only causes frustration but also leads to more damage to the equipment. “Students often report that the equipment is bad and unusable.” Some students can be rough on the equipment, which only adds to the problem. “Each grade level has some students that will kick away, slam the equipment against buildings, or hit it onto the roofs where equipment may stay and rot since they can’t be taken down for some time.”
Upgrading the sports equipment would help make lunch more exciting and encourage more kids to play and stay active. It’s time for a change, and we hope the school will take action to make lunchtime sports better for everyone.
