Northcote Intermediate School’s new fitness trail has inspired hours of interactive play.
Northcote Intermediate School was awarded funding under the Schools Investment Package (SIP) to help develop wellbeing in schools after the first lockdown in 2020. Initially a more traditional playground was installed but with funds left over the school took the opportunity to add a Park Supplies & Playgrounds Olympus Warrior Course to their school yard.
Phil Muir, Principal, says the vision was to build an interactive fitness trail which encouraged students to build strength, have fun and to get outside. With the Ninja Warrior TV show a favourite amongst the students, the Olympus Warrior Course was chosen. Standing out for its unique elements, the trail includes crawl nets, overhead hanging bars, rock climbing obstacles, balance ropes, and ladders all designed to challenge kids, build balance and help development strength and agility.
Having seen a fellow school’s Park Supplies & Playgrounds playground be installed, Phil was impressed with the quality and creativeness of the equipment. This paired with the glowing recommendations from other schools, Park Supplies & Playgrounds were the only company considered for this design and build project.
Set to be installed in early 2021, when Auckland was plunged into a covid lockdown the project faced delays and disruptions. Despite these challenges, Phil praised Park Supplies & Playgrounds consistent communication and ability to deliver the playground in a timely manner.
Phil was impressed with the collaborative approach Park Supplies & Playgrounds took towards the entire project and attention to detail in areas. From working with year 8 students to help hone in on the ideal trail to encourage interactive play, to connecting with a local tertiary institution to provide a learning opportunity for the next generation, the community focused approach was clear from the outset.
Now a year on, the Olympus Warrior Course remains a favourite amongst the students of Northcote Intermediate School. The Crawl Net and Rock Climb sections have been a big hit, while the novelty of having their very own version of a Ninja Warrior trail has inspired hours of play.
When asked what advice Phil had for other schools looking to build a new playground with Park Supplies & Playgrounds his message was simple:
As part of the of the Olympus Warrior Course package offered to Northcote by Park Supplies & Playgrounds, a free training day with AUT Millennium Athlete Development Coaches was included to ensure students would gain the best use and benefits that the equipment has to offer.
The Athlete Development Coaches came out to Northcote Intermediate on August 16 2022 and ran through some “outside the box” activities with both the students and the Physical Education department. The Olympus Warrior Course can be used in varying ways, however the Athlete Development Coaches put a new perspective on how many MORE ways this course can be used to develop the students’ skills.
Just some of the activities designed by the Athlete Development Coaches to extend and test students are outlined below:
Both the Athlete Development Coaches and students enjoyed a collaborative day of exploring all that the Olympus Warrior Course has to offer, and the students are now armed with an array of activities which will equally challenge and develop them.
The Olympus Warrior Course has been developed with the Athlete Development team at AUT Millennium, specifically Coaches Patrick Devonport and Yash Krishna.
Yash says,
Combining Patrick and Yash’s knowledge and expertise with that of our Park Supplies & Playgrounds Team has resulted in a fitness course that will challenge and develop High School Students physical abilities.
Combining Patrick and Yash’s knowledge and expertise with that of our Park Supplies & Playgrounds Team has resulted in a fitness course that will challenge and develop High School Students physical abilities.
For more information on the Olympus Warrior Course contact the team at Park Supplies & Playgrounds today!
0800 752 947
or contact one of the team below
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Email: dan@parksupplies.co.nz
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