(from Play Today - Nov/Dec 2004)

Before I purchased this book, Bernie DeKoven had been described as a “god” in the new games circle – would this book live up to the expectations one has from a god?

Remembering that this book is American and therefore uses slightly different language and names to those used in the UK Playwork sector, it is clear from the outset that this book is pure to the ethos and values of playwork.

This book has been published as a follow-up to the work of the New Games Foundation – over the last 30 years – it’s main aim is to encourage readers to have fun adapting games and sports to suit children and adults of all abilities.

Containing detailed guidance on how to collect resources “junk” and making adaptations to six main sports – these being soccer, football, basketball, baseball, hockey and volley ball, the book contains more than 75 games that are innovative and read like they are lots of fun. Quidditch would be at home in this book.

Simple adaptations to games and sports have given me loads of idea’s. The image of children using scooters to play soccer (football) is as surreal as volley ball being played with a beach ball and players in pairs holding a towel to hit the ball. Both of which are very easy to implement in a playwork setting almost straight away.

Junkyard Sports is about having fun and developing co-operation, with the player clearly at the centre of the process. Junkyard Sports is an excellent playwork resource, which will be used well in both my playwork and training session.

This book is inspirational and is a must read for anyone who facilitates games or sports on a regular basis. I think it is time to go and play “chariot hockey”.

Michael Tombs