Schools and organisations are always looking for new, engaging activity options that get kids moving and excited to participate. While traditional sports incursions like soccer, basketball, or athletics are always popular, many schools across Australia are now discovering pickleball incursions as a fresh and exciting alternative.

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and its simple rules, smaller courts, and quick learning curve make it an ideal sport for children. Through structured pickleball incursions, students can experience something new while still building essential movement skills and confidence.

At Fit For Kids Co, we now offer pickleball incursions for schools and organisations, providing a fun introduction to the sport delivered by experienced coaches.

Why Pickleball Is Perfect for School Incursions

Easy to Learn

One of the biggest advantages of pickleball is how quickly children can start playing. Within minutes, most students can:

• - Serve the ball

• - Hit simple rallies

• - Play short games

This means students spend more time moving and playing, rather than learning complex techniques.

Inclusive for All Skill Levels

Pickleball works well for students of different abilities because:

• - The court size reduces running distance

• - The ball moves slower than tennis

• - The paddle is easier to control than a racquet

Students who may not normally enjoy traditional sports often find pickleball approachable and fun.

High Participation and Energy

Because courts are compact, schools can run multiple games at once, keeping participation levels high. Students rotate quickly through activities and games, ensuring minimal waiting time.

This format works perfectly for:

• - Primary school sport sessions

• - PE incursions

• - Active wellbeing programs

• - Corporate or community activity days

A New Alternative to Traditional Sports Incursions

Many schools already run incursions for sports like:

• - Soccer

• - Basketball

• - Tennis

• - Athletics

Pickleball offers something different while still teaching core movement skills such as coordination, balance, reaction time, and teamwork.

Because it’s still relatively new in school settings, students often feel excited trying a sport they’ve never played before.

What Happens During a Pickleball Incursion?

A typical pickleball incursion session includes:

1. 
   Fun warm-up games

2. Introduction to the paddle and ball

3. Simple rally activities

4. Skill-building drills

5. Mini matches and team challenges

Sessions are designed to maximise participation, confidence, and enjoyment.

All equipment is provided, and activities can be adjusted depending on:

• - Student age groups

• - Available space

• - Group sizes

Pickleball Incursions with Fit For Kids Co

Fit For Kids Co delivers structured pickleball incursions for schools and organisations, run by experienced coaches who specialise in working with children.

- Our sessions focus on:

• - Fun and engagement

• - Inclusive participation

• - Skill development through games

• - Easy organisation for schools

We can run programs for single classes, year levels, or whole-school activity days.

Get a Quote for Your School or Organisation

If you’re looking for a fresh and exciting alternative to traditional sports incursions, pickleball is a fantastic option that students quickly fall in love with. Fit For Kids Co offers pickleball incursions across Melbourne, and we’re happy to tailor sessions to suit your needs.

We can provide quotes based on the number of students, session length, and program structure.

To learn more or request a quote, get in touch with Fit For Kids Co and bring the fun of pickleball to your school or organisation.

0421 172 369 / info@fitforkidsco.com.au

Fit For Kids Co.

If you’re searching for kids sports incursions in Melbourne, chances are you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent looking to bring engaging, highquality physical activity into a school setting.

With growing demand for structured movement programs, schools are becoming more selective about sports incursions, sports coaches, and providers who can deliver safe, fun, and educational experiences for children.

At Fit For Kids Co, we work closely with Melbourne schools to deliver professional, curriculum-aligned sports incursions that kids genuinely love.

This article breaks down what schools look for and how the right sports coaching provider can make all the difference.

What Is a Kids Sports Incursion?

A sports incursion is when an external provider comes into a school to run structured physical activity sessions during school hours. These can be one-off events, short programs, or multi-week rotations and are designed to:

• - Increase physical activity

• - Introduce new sports

• - Build confidence and fundamental movement skills

• - Support wellbeing and engagement in learning

In a city like Melbourne, where schools have diverse communities and busy schedules, incursions are a practical way to deliver high impact programs without leaving campus.

Why Sports Incursions Matter More Than Ever

Melbourne schools are facing several shared challenges:

• - Reduced physical activity outside school

• - Increased screen time

• - Varying confidence levels in traditional PE

• - Limited teacher capacity to run specialist sport sessions

Well-designed sports incursions help fill these gaps by bringing in trained sports coaches who know how to engage children of all abilities, without adding pressure to teaching staff.

What Schools Look for in Sports Coaches

When schools search for sports coaches for kids in Melbourne, these are the key factors they prioritise:

1. Child-Focused Coaching

- The best coaches understand how kids learn. Sessions should be:

• - Inclusive and confidence-building

• - Fast-paced and fun

• - Adaptable for different ages and abilities

2. Professional Standards

Schools expect:

• - Qualified and experienced coaches

• - Working With Children Checks

• - Public liability insurance

• - Clear lesson structures and outcomes

3. Simple Logistics

Great incursions are easy to run. Schools value providers who:

• - Bring all equipment

• - Manage group rotations smoothly

• - Communicate clearly with staff

• - Operate within school timetables

Popular Types of Kids Sports Incursions in Melbourne

Based on what Melbourne schools consistently request, the most effective incursions include:

• Multi-sport programs (rotating activities to maximise engagement)

• Ball sports fundamentals (throwing, catching, striking, kicking)

• Introductory sports (tennis, badminton, basketball, run club, soccer, netball, modified golf)

• Wellbeing and movement-based sessions for younger year levels

These programs work especially well for primary schools, where variety and enjoyment are key.

Why Schools Choose Fit For Kids Co

Fit For Kids Co specialises in kids sports incursions across Melbourne, with programs designed specifically for school environments, not repurposed club training.

Our approach focuses on:

• - Age-appropriate coaching methods

• - High participation and minimal waiting time

• - Clear learning goals disguised as fun

• - Coaches who are energetic, organised, and reliable

We understand what schools need because we work with them every day, before school, during school hours, after school and during the school holiday periods.

Looking for Kids Sports Incursions in Melbourne?

If your school is exploring sports incursions, sports coaching, or kids physical activity programs in Melbourne, the most important thing is choosing a provider who puts children first while making life easier for teachers.

Fit For Kids Co delivers engaging, professional sports incursions that support student wellbeing and keep kids moving, without the stress.

Get in touch with Fit For Kids Co to discuss a tailored sports incursion for your school.

info@fitforkidsco.com.au / 0421 172 369

Fit For Kids Co.

What the Screen-Time Debate Means for Getting Kids Active

The recent Guardian profile of Dr Rangan Chatterjee cuts through the noise with a confronting message: our collective failure to regulate screens is failing a generation of children.

While the article focuses on mental health, sleep and social development, there’s a critical layer that deserves equal attention  physical activity is being quietly displaced, and kids are paying the price.

At Fit For Kids Co, this isn’t theory. We see it every week.

The Real Issue Isn’t Screens: It’s What They’re Replacing

Dr Chatterjee’s central concern isn’t that screens exist , it’s that they’re crowding out the fundamentals of healthy childhood. Time once spent climbing, running, throwing, kicking, laughing and problem-solving with peers is now absorbed by passive consumption.

When screens increase, three things consistently decrease:

1. - Unstructured movement

2. - Face-to-face social interaction

3. - Opportunities to build physical confidence

Movement isn’t just “exercise”. For kids, it’s how they:

• - Regulate emotions

• - Build resilience

• - Learn cooperation and communication

• - Develop self-esteem

• - Sleep better

When movement disappears, everything else becomes harder.

We’re Seeing the Consequences in Real Time

The article highlights rising anxiety, poor sleep, posture issues and delayed development. In active settings, the physical knock-on effects are just as clear:

• - Kids fatigue faster

• - Basic coordination is weaker

• - Confidence drops when tasks feel “hard”

• - Social withdrawal increases

• - Frustration tolerance is lower

This isn’t about talent, it’s about exposure. Many kids simply haven’t had enough positive movement experiences.

Movement Is Preventative Health (Not an Optional Extra)

Dr Chatterjee argues that modern health systems are overwhelmed because they treat symptoms, not causes. The same applies to kids’ wellbeing.

Regular, enjoyable physical activity:

• - Improves mental health outcomes

• - Reduces stress and anxiety

• - Supports healthy sleep patterns

• - Builds social skills naturally

• - Strengthens identity and self-belief

Why “Just Telling Kids to Be Active” Doesn’t Work

One of the most important takeaways from the article is compassion. Screens have become the default babysitter because families are busy, stressed and time-poor.

That’s why activity needs to be:

• - Structured but fun

• - Inclusive, not intimidating

• - Skill-building without pressure

• - Social, not isolating

Kids don’t need elite training.
They need positive, repeatable experiences that make movement feel safe and rewarding.

That’s the gap Fit For Kids Co exists to fill.

The Opportunity We’re Missing

Dr Chatterjee talks about prevention needing a long-term plan. For kids, that plan starts with movement habits, early and often.

Every session of play, sport or movement is:

• - Time not spent scrolling

• - A chance to reconnect with their body

• - An opportunity to build confidence offline

• - A step toward lifelong health

We don’t need to ban screens tomorrow to make progress.
But we do need to deliberately rebalance childhood.

Less Scrolling. More Playing. Better Outcomes.

The screen-time conversation will continue, and it should. But the solution doesn’t live in restriction alone.

It lives in replacing screens with something better.

At Fit For Kids Co, that “something better” is simple:

• - Move often

• - Play socially

• - Build confidence

• - Make activity enjoyable again

Because when kids move, everything else gets easier.

Fit For Kids Co.

Why Getting Kids Moving Regularly Matters More Than Ever

Screens are now part of everyday life for children. Phones, tablets, gaming consoles and streaming services are woven into how kids learn, socialise and and even just connect with their peers. But growing research is making one thing increasingly clear: when screens begin to replace movement, sleep and real-world play, kids’ health and wellbeing can suffer.

For parents, the challenge isn’t eliminating screens altogether, it’s creating balance. And one of the most powerful tools we have to restore that balance is regular physical activity.

At Fit For Kids Co, we see firsthand how movement supports not just physical health, but emotional regulation, confidence and happiness in children.

What the Research Is Telling Us (In Simple Terms)

Large international studies following thousands of children over many years are now showing consistent patterns:

• - Earlier access to smartphones is linked to poorer sleep and higher rates of childhood obesity

• - Higher screen use is associated with reduced attention, slower processing speed and weaker memory

• - Increased social media use correlates with higher rates of anxiety, low mood and emotional dysregulation

• - Screen use late in the day negatively impacts sleep quality, which affects mood, learning and behaviour

Importantly, researchers are finding that it’s not just how much screen time kids have, but what it replaces, especially movement, outdoor play, social interaction and rest.

Movement as a Protective Factor

Regular physical activity plays a crucial role in buffering many of the risks linked to excessive screen use.

When kids move consistently, they are more likely to:

• - Sleep better and fall asleep faste 

• - Regulate emotions more effectively

• - Improve focus and attention

• - Build physical confidence and resilience

• - Experience better overall mental wellbeing

Movement doesn’t need to be intense or elite to be effective. In fact, play-based, enjoyable activity is often the most beneficial, particularly for younger children.

Screens vs Skills: What Kids Miss When Movement Drops

When screen time increases and movement decreases, children can miss out on developing essential life skills, including:

• - Balance, coordination and strength

• - Social skills like teamwork, communication and empathy

• - Problem-solving through play

• - Confidence in their own physical abilities

These skills are built through doing, not watching, and they form the foundation for lifelong health.

Why Small Changes Make a Big Difference

One of the most encouraging findings from recent research is that small, consistent reductions in screen use for even as little as one hour a day, are linked to better long-term wellbeing.

Replacing that hour with:

• - Active play

• - Sport or movement sessions

• - Outdoor time

• - Family walks or bike rides

can significantly improve a child’s quality of life.

This isn’t about strict rules or guilt. It’s about gently reshaping daily routines so movement becomes a normal, expected part of life.

The Role of Adults: Modelling Matters

Children take cues from the adults around them. How we use our phones, especially in the evenings, strongly influences how children view screens. Creating screen-aware habits as a family  such as tech-free times, active afternoons or shared outdoor play can send a powerful message without needing constant enforcement.

Active Kids Are Healthier, Happier Kids

At Fit For Kids Co, we believe movement should be:

• - Regular

• - Enjoyable

• - Age-appropriate

• - Pressure-free

When kids move their bodies often and positively, they are better equipped to navigate the modern world, screens included.

Technology isn’t going away. But by prioritising regular movement, we can help children build healthy habits, strong bodies and resilient minds that support them now and into the future.

See you outside!

Fit For Kids Co. 

Fun, Affordable Ways to Keep Kids Active Over Summer

Summer is one of the most important times of year for children’s physical, social and emotional development. With longer days, warmer weather and fewer routines, kids naturally have more opportunities to move,  and movement plays a huge role in helping kids stay healthy, confident and happy.

At Fit For Kids Co, we believe active kids are happy kids, and staying active doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Some of the most effective ways to keep children moving are simple, low-cost and built into everyday life.

Why Staying Active Matters for Kids

Regular physical activity helps children:

• Build strength, coordination and balance

• Improve focus, confidence and emotional wellbeing

• Develop social skills through play

• Create positive habits that last into adulthood

When movement is fun and pressure-free, kids are far more likely to stay active long term.

Easy, Low-Cost Ways to Keep Kids Moving in Summer

Local Parks and Open Spaces

Parks offer endless opportunities for movement without any cost. Climbing, running, jumping and balancing all help develop fundamental movement skills. Rotating between different parks keeps things exciting and encourages exploration.

Backyard and Home-Based Games

You don’t need a large space or fancy equipment to get kids moving. Simple games like throwing, kicking, jumping or balancing challenges help build coordination and confidence, all while feeling like play, not exercise.

Bike Riding, Scooters and Family Walks

Active transport is one of the easiest ways to build movement into the day. Bike rides, scooter trips and family walks help children stay active while also supporting independence, road awareness and family connection.

Free Play: The Power of Unstructured Movement

Unstructured play is often where children move the most. When kids are free to invent games, climb, run and explore at their own pace, they naturally develop physical skills alongside creativity and problem-solving.

This kind of movement is especially important during school holidays when routines are relaxed.

Water Play and Outdoor Exploration

Water-based play is a summer favourite and a great way to stay active. Whether it’s swimming, running through sprinklers or beach play, water activities build strength and endurance while helping kids stay cool.

Nature-based play,  at the beach, in bushland or open reserves, also supports mental wellbeing and resilience.

Community Spaces and Local Facilities

Many local communities offer free access to ovals, courts and playgrounds during the holidays. These shared spaces encourage spontaneous play, social interaction and active lifestyles without the need for structured programs.

Building Healthy Habits Through Movement

The goal isn’t perfect technique or constant structure, it’s consistency and enjoyment. When kids associate movement with fun, connection and freedom, they’re far more likely to stay active as they grow.

Healthy movement habits support:

• Physical confidence

• Emotional regulation

• Social development

• Long-term wellbeing

Active Kids Are Happy Kids

At Fit For Kids Co, we see every day how movement positively impacts children’s confidence, energy and happiness. Summer is a chance to reinforce those benefits through simple, accessible activities that fit into family life.

Keeping kids active doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated, it just needs to be regular, fun and child-focused.

So get out there and have a fantastic active summer!

Fit For Kids Co.