This led me to complete my dissertation on how maybe a way of getting more pupils to succeed in sports was by looking at different activities rather that just trying to rework how to teach football, rugby and cricket! This certainly wasn't any sort of anti - competitive sport mission I hasten to add. Juggling certainly can be competitive but in a different way as you are always challenging yourself and looking to others for ideas. It also can act as a springboard for success. Once pupils improve their coordination and body control though learning to juggle it can help them succeed in a whole range of other sports.

What I found was that it did involve those pupils who didn't usually succeed, it had no particular gender/ culture bias - boys and girls were just as likely to succeed and participate and very valuably it gave pupils a large degree of control over their learning. Once the pupils learnt the basic cascade they could take over the learning process - inventing tricks and teaching each other.

Since setting up Splats we must have taught over 2 million!!! pupils the juggling technique and we hope provided a fun and inspirational skill for them to share with others. Our philosophy is that anything is possible and juggling is a great model to help pupils understand that. What seems very difficult is in fact simple once broken down into steps and practiced. This learning skill can be transferred to all other areas of their school life.

I truly believe that the impact of our day in the school in terms of co-operation, confidence and learning will last for months, and for some pupils, years.

All the best

Steve Richards (Bed Hons)